Sometimes I can see a relocalized
local future, a hopeful future, sometimes not.
You?
What
makes the difference between a hopeful heart and a fearful one, as we contemplate radical change or some form of collapse in our future? I
think it's the state of mind or consciousness of the observer, basically how able we are to relate to others and the emerging situation. It's
us that's the common link.
And what in our outlook helps us
see our way to a future we want to live in? And how can we encourage
that?
We're able to see more clearly when we see ourselves as part of and connected to the inside of the social transition we're in. When we're not isolated observers. The old adage “If you're not part of solution you're part of the problem,” could be rewritten here to say “If you're not part of the problem, you're not part of the solution.” (I saw this in Adam Kahane's excellent book on the dynamics of system change, Solving Tough Problems.) If you don't see how you're contributing to the present situation, there's not way for you to connect with others to make it better. You have no skin in the game with your fellows! Then we're left with stockpiling food, with arming ourselves and retreating further.
And that's no
fun!
The more we see that our own lives, warts and all, plug us directly into the real issue, the more opportunities we have to
work with others who are there with us in order to make it better. And that is fun, though challenging too! (Challenge had better be fun; we'll have plenty of it!)
The desire to play it safe is strong in me. I've often tried to stay outside of conflict and maintain a rational "understanding - and been perceived as distant and controlling. Inside I've felt afraid of seeming incompetent, of looking unable to handle problems that might arise in groups (or the community). Not until I've been willing to not know the answer, or willing to imagine that there is none yet, have I been able to be in touch with, and even enjoy, what's really going on. As any person learns to be a bit more present he or she increases the community resilience that will be so helpful to have as
a recourse and resource when trouble comes.
There are a number of things we can do
internally, all easier to say than to do. I think that a small group
is a wonderful training ground for us to practice these skills. The small group is
itself a practice, and a powerful one. When trouble comes, as it will
sooner or later, the skills you'll learn of deep listening and being able
to speak your truth without blame will help you help those around you move forward.
One crucial personal skill, it seems to me, is the ability to be with others without
making them responsible for how you're feeling. Without getting
reactive, in other words. This frees you up to seek common ground with them and to see possibilities that weren't visible before. We
actually do have common ground, if we're patient enough to wait and
find it.
I try and practice these things:
Listening to what others have to say without forming a response or what I have to say. Just hearing their story as something valuable for me to know.
Recognizing that screwing up is part of the process.
I also do some work with "parts" of me (Big Mind Process or Voice Dialogue), and I find meditation helpful in clarifying that "I" am not limited to my social self, among other benefits.
If you don't form or join an intentional small
group, then try and notice this. You're already in a small group
every time you engage with another. Each small conversation is an
opportunity to listen, to “not know what's going to happen,” to
be able to take a little risk or a big one, to say what's really on
your mind. The small group is just a microcosm in which it's easy to
practice all these things, but maybe for you it's later or not at
all.
No problem.
I happen to think that the whole
“field” of human consciousness, if I can call it that, is
becoming more aware of itself, is already transforming so that the
natural intimacy of being real is increasing (Social media give us a hint of this but social media is not it.) To say this from the
opposite side, overall we're becoming less committed to our ego perspective.
The relational local future we want is happening already, partly because
it's so needed and our unconscious intelligence starts to create it.
And it needs all the help it can get, just as we do.
You can start a small group yourself with just one other person. Meet regularly
and tell the truth best as you can, that's the key.
http://www.radicalrelocalization.com/open-source-groups.php
These guys do it nice
Resilience circles: http://localcircles.org/
