Contagious Turning to One Another?

It’s not fun to be sick. A week ago, I was. In a way that I haven’t been for what, five – ten years. First thought was food poisoning. In retrospect, I think it was a flu virus. I did my best to stay clear of people. But given that the contagiousness can often occur 24 hours prior to any felt effects, it’s pretty hard to not be a conduit for that virus life. It’s fascinating in a science way — the irrepressibleness of biology. It’s discouraging too — quarantine is rarely an option. And then there’s that killer question of “How can you know something before you know something?”

Well, I’m glad for getting through what felt like the worst of that flu. I feel the 15% remnants still — connected to the whole of it, but not the main event. I feel for those before me that were doing their best not to share. I feel for those after me, with whom I might have unknowingly become conduit.

Here’s my bridge for today — the irrepressibleness of biology that I wish to avoid when it comes to flu is a contagiousness I hope for when it comes to people becoming moved by connection in circle. Yup, I’m gonna stick with that. I’m glad to participate in many circles. Some that infect with, “Wow, there is a real intimacy and vulnerability here that I haven’t known for a long time (or ever).” Some of those circles are infected with, “Wow, we got a lot of involved work done here today in a way that felt rather simple and easy.”

In the best of ways, circle is turning to one another. It’s of course, more than moving chairs. Circle is guided by principles and practices. It’s of course, more than giving everyone a turn. Circle creates simple option for an encounter that requires more from each of us, and also, provides more for each of us. It’s of course, a course for more whole living that can infect us into a remembering and an aliveness that is impressive as the irrepressibleness of biology.

Well, these things I hope, it we’re really saying it out loud. And learning from some flu. Here’s to health for all of us.

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.

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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.

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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.

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