For a couple of years I have participated in a monthly conversation that seeks to invite and support practitioners of Peter Block’s “Six Conversations” described in his book “Community – The Structure of Belonging”. The conversation is convened by telephone, using a technology that allows participants to be sorted into small groups for conversation and […]
The Conversation is the Relationship
Stunning Complexity
Friday, May 9th, 2014I recently re-read a review of a book titled “Dancing in the Glory of Monsters: The Collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa” by Jason Stearns. The review was published in the New York Times Book Review on April 3 of 2011. Part of my practice as an aspiring systems thinker and […]
First Wednesday Conversation 2014
Wednesday, January 1st, 2014Greetings and thanks. Happy New Year to everyone! 2013 was a special year for me, in which I experienced a physical healing process and now find myself in robust health and spirits. I was always in robust spirits! It was a year of profound learning on multiple levels, of inner work, and of great joy […]
Community Cafe at Senior Services for South Sound
Thursday, October 17th, 2013Senior Services for South Sound (Olympia, WA) recently convened its second annual Community Café on what it means to live in our Age of Active Wisdom, including the continuing exploration of the relationship between the Senior Centers and the larger community. Our purpose last Saturday was 1) to continue to connect ourselves through meaningful conversations […]
New Habits of Mind for New Solutions newsletter
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013Dear Friends, I’m happy to let you know that the June/July issue of the New Habits of Mind for New Solutions systems thinking newsletter is now available. We have about 200 subscribers (opt in only!), most of whom have attended one of our workshops by the same name. This issue’s topic is “emergence”, which is […]
ALIA Learning – Cutting Through Complexity (5)
Monday, October 29th, 2012Letting go is the fifth step of the ALIA practice of cutting through complexity. The idea is to let go of our story of our battle. We finish elegantly and with power, enabling further relationship. Letting go is a deliberate practice that raises energy. First, we welcome – our self, our thoughts, our […]
ALIA Learning – Cutting Through Complexity (4)
Monday, October 29th, 2012After we have Entered a situation cleanly, Explored via the four ways of knowing, and Acted in the right moment, we move to Completing. As we complete an action and follow through, we are deepening the effectiveness of our action. Next steps become apparent after you disturb the system (by acting). The experience […]
ALIA Learning – Cutting Through Complexity (3)
Monday, October 29th, 2012[Note to my patient readers: I have been out of action since a serious bicycle accident on August 14. I’m healing, and still have some way to go. But I’m inspired to get back to this ALIA chronicle because I’ve been working with the group in Halifax to plan some ALIA events on the west […]
ALIA Learning – Cutting Through Complexity (2)
Wednesday, August 8th, 2012The central thread of “Cutting Through Complexity” was a five phase framework, or process of engagement. The five phases are Entering, Exploring, Acting, Completing, and Letting Go. This framework is useful in any complex situation or circumstance, and is adaptable to any scale (a single conversation, working with a team or organization or community). To […]
ALIA Learning – Cutting Through Complexity (1)
Monday, July 16th, 2012At the ALIA Summer Institute, we all participated in a track session of our choosing. Each such group met five separate times over the Tuesday – Friday span. This extended engagement allowed for much deeper work than is possible at a conference gathering. I chose “Cutting Through Complexity – Working With Power, Timing, and Action”, […]