Welcome

If you are visiting from Wander School, you’re in the right place.

Human to Human, this blog (three ish times per week), is journalling and learning in public. I write to be attentive, associative, and appreciative.

Sometimes that is work stuff. Sometimes it is life stuff. Sometimes it is poetry. Sometimes simple ahas. Sometimes announcements. Sometimes reflections on programs.

I write to get clear. I write to invite clarity with and among others. I write to explore questions. Enjoy reading and reaching back as inspired.

Untangled Men

I’m glad
for this one line
spoken by one man
in a check-out way
in a Circle of twelve men.

I’m glad for it’s honesty
caught by the honesty of twelve men.

“I’m glad
to be here
untangling myself.”

So be it,
yes,
in SoulTime,
knowing there will be more
for another time.

Soultime Return

And then it’s done.

The last Circle is held. Each of us checking out, sharing some bits of how we are changed. Also sharing some bits of what will remain percolating. All affirming a kind of medicine found together. And felt together.

Oh, what good can be created with Circle. With experiences shared. With a story told (thx Bi). With an altar of personal pieces that alter us in such alchemical ways. Oh what good can be created with twelve men enjoying breakfast together, telling a few overnight dreams. Oh what good can be created with a time to dwell together touching deeper layers, yet through such simple means.

And then it’s done.

We move on, altared and altered, to the next.
A bow.

To Soultime

Soultime is the name of a twice / year men’s retreat. For the last fifteen years, a core of 6-7 men. And, an added varied ring of another 5-6 men. We have been as young as 30 something. And as old as 80 something. Some have died over the years. Some have found birth, including me.

It’s yurt (this year, cabins). It’s story (my buddy Bi brings a tale to be told in four parts). It’s Circle — our primary shape for listening, learning, stirring. It’s ritual (we create it differently each time). It’s song. It’s drum. It’s ancestors. It’s food. Its dishes cleaned and sorted. It’s dreams. We all jump in with all.

As one of my colleagues named earlier this week, “soulful brotherhood is medicine.” Got that right.

As one of our Soutime ancestors said (John died in September), “please continue to reveal the deep character and soul so that we live more conscious lives.” Yes.

And as has been so alive for me over the last couple of weeks, “we create learning village.” Sometimes over time. Sometimes for the four days we have together.

So, a ride to the airport from my Sweetie Dana this morning — it’s good to be sent to such things. A flight from Salt Lake City to Calgary. A good long layover — reading, email to tuck in projects, a bite to eat, etc. Another flight Calgary to Comox (with two other Soultime Brothers). Picked up by my buddy Bi the storyteller — it’s good to be picked up for such things too.

And it’s on.

Soultime.

I’m grateful.

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