Going Deeper

I love the way that many of us are going deeper these days. Some of the “us” that I’m referencing are dear colleagues from over many of the last years and decades. Some of the “us” that I’m referencing are dear loved ones in renewed paths of learning and discovery.

With colleagues, I’m glad that many of us are seeking to integrate more of what we’ve learned in how we work with groups. For me, much of that has been about cultivating rich inner capacity — emotional intelligence, humility, creativity — and, rich outer capacity — working with even more honed simplicity, clarity of purpose, and courage in narrative.

With dear loved ones (some of whom are colleagues), I’m glad for the many of us that are seeking paths of grace, of patience, and of celebratory newness. Again, it’s inner capacity meeting outer capacity. It’s further leaning in to each others stories, and, the way that we find our own stories in the sharing with others.

Later today I’m headed to a particular path and place of going deeper. It’s Soultime, the men’s group that I’ve been meeting with over the last 15 years. This time it’s on Texada Island in British Columbia. There will be 10 of us. We’ll meet to share personal experiences. We’ll meet largely in the format of circle. We’ll ask questions together. We’ll follow a story together (Grimms’ Tales). We’ll create a ritual together. We’ll cook together. We’ll sing together. We’ll share poems together. We’ll unpack what shows up — not as professional therapists (although one of the participants is), but rather as men discovering and practicing a more matured masculinity together. It’s a small drop in the great ocean of need in such domain. Yet, I’ve known Soultime as a very important integration in who I’ve become as a teacher, a writer, a facilitator, and as a dad, a son, a partner, a community member.

So, ya. Going deeper. I’m glad for depth that follows me into hosting groups, and into evolving as human beings together. I’m glad for the instincts in many of us to go deeper, because we can and because we can’t not. I’m glad for the simplicity. I’m glad for a flow that is both deliberately followed, and, is carrying many of us, into the deep.

2 Replies to “Going Deeper”

  1. going deeper is certainly my path these day. into the deep … while that seems to imply a certain quiet or stillness, I’ve never been more happy and excited about my life. I could do with less pain in my lower back. But … it’s still a good life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

This will close in 60 seconds

asd
In My Nature
is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

This will close in 60 seconds

asd
Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

This will close in 60 seconds