Our call to the Art of Humans Being and the New Story

[Judy Wallace]

This conversation begins to create our collective opening where we all begin to show up, to populate this fertile field we are co-creating.  We welcome you here.  There are two questions. Please introduce yourself to this community through these questions. You are invited to give the fullness of who you are to each response..

What has called you to come to this gathering - The Art of Humans Being - Repatterning Ourselves, Our Work, and Our Communities in the New Story?

What is your curiosity about the unfolding new story? what do you envision? what might be your role?  or simply what the new story brings up in you and how it might take form in your life?
Be creative, think BIG, 

[Judy Wallace]

Something deep calls me to collaborate with others, to open an intentional and sacred space for inquiry, to ask the questions we have no answers for, to tap into the future that is wanting to come into being, and to activate - in our very midst - the incredible potential we hold. We need one another, to hold and be held, in a space where we can slow down, experience our connection to the natural world, to all the ways we have of knowing, and begin to glimpse what is next. When we put our attention there, into our collective future potential, to repatterning (and rewilding) ourselves, we are co-creating the new story - the possibilities are unlimited. This is, for me, a call to service, to move beyond what I or we know, to leave our personal comfort zones, to be in curiosity in each moment AND to experience the joy of our touching time together on this incredible life journey.

I see the Art of Hosting as a beautifully evolving pattern of humans experiencing multiple ways of connecting, weaving stories, inquiring into the complexity that life on this planet now calls us to. We are at the gateway of a new era. We are the pioneers of the future. We are at the edge of the frontier. As we host one another in wholeness, we are an evolving pattern of the future.

My curiosity, vision, sense of the new story I am curious about what will unfold in our midst and how that can inform and take form through each of us. I welcome the radical, the amazing, and then our beginning to mold that like clay into how we can manifest. In the larger picture, I envision repatterning on every level of our society and planetary civilization. We each hold a piece of that. As old ways decay and pass away, as these challenges create a sense of despair or resistance in the greater world, how can we be present, how will we step into this void, see the openings for bringing in the new ways? We can step in wherever we are now - into our social, spiritual, business, educational and governmental systems. To carry the torch - sometimes in silence - in the name of every life form on Earth. The way is unclear; we cannot see the farthest shore, but there is no going back. We must learn to be the stream. That's why we are inquiring into the new story - to get a glimmer through the mists, to stretch who we are. And then to move with practical feet into our next steps. This IS my life now. I trust in you and this process.

[Edveeje Fairchild]

Another way forward is possible. Transformation of humanity and the restoration of the Earth are possible. It requires a new story and the calling forth of those who have been consecrated to tell that new story; those called to prophetic writing and poetry that weaves the tale of the future glory which awaits humanity, the wild, and the planet Earth. As a modern day mystic, my craft is prophetic writing and poetry. My venues are Collective Sourcing and Art of Hosting retreats, catalyzing Circles of Consciousness, and encouraging/hosting the women Apprentices, Artisans, and Masters of the Great Work. My writing and poetry are existential inquiries into what the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah meant when he prophesied: “the Spirit has created a new thing on Earth: a woman encircles a man.” It took me years to so concisely say my spiritual truth; the reason for my being on this Earth. I am eager to be with other people who hear the call to part the mists between the worlds and delve more deeply into how we - humanity - can boldly re-create our systems and ways of being human on a spiritual foundation.

[Analesa Rose Berg]

Last December I returned from Copenhagen where I was part of the AoH inspired "Inner Climate Learning Village". I had a deep desire to contribute to a community of people who are inspired to co-create the new story together.

The social and spiritual activist in me who has been dormant for quite some time is emerging. My training in spiritual psychology and creative expression taught me to view the world from a mythic, mystical and creative lens. My years of connection to the world of AoH, Women Moving the Edge, Spiral Dynamics and Theory U have added a different dimension to that world view.

For years I have envisioned a gathering that combined these two worlds which are, as I see them, a more feminine world view of symbols and a masculine one based on the theoretical. This gathering has evolved for me to represent the merging of those world views. I am so pleased to be a part of it. I feel the time is now. This is what the world is calling for and we get to play with all that entails together.

In large part, that vision of creating gatherings that welcome a new way of seeing and acting in the world, is my work. I can think real BIG so if you care to get me started... I will go there. For now, I want also to think practical. One step at a time. Thank you for joining me on the first step of this journey to being fully present in my own and our collective calling. I look forward to it.
Lisa

[Carla Kimball]

What's called me to this gathering? I think it's the simple placement of the letter "S". The idea that we are gathering as humanS being together rather than as a group of human beingS, something about this feels deeply right to me. We are all so pre-occupied with the doing of life. My wish for myself in life is that I spend more time simply being, and that being with other humans being feels like a way to amplify the quiet, wise, collective center. Can we find a way to truly listen together to that collective center? Can we play together in that collective center? Can we shape a new world from that collective center? All simply by being humans being together. These are the questions that bring me to this gathering.

[Analesa Rose Berg]

Beautiful, Carla. I welcome you and look forward to being and playing with you and everyone coming. Lisa

[Tenneson Woolf]

What has called me to come to this gathering?
- It holds a question that I feel I've been asking all of my life. What does it mean to be human? Humans together? I think since being a much younger boy, I've felt there is so much more going on. I couldn't find as many words to describe what I felt, what I knew. I was perhaps even afraid to know it.
- I want to host with Judy, Lisa, Ed'Veeje. I want to lean in further together.
- I know many of the participants. I can feel something about to be born together.
- The voice that I hear not in words, but in feeling.
- The fierce commitment I have to practical unknowing and how that influences us in our day to day work / life.

What is my curiosity about the new story?
- What is possible?
- What if we were to take seemingly pioneering practices of the new story to scale?
- What monkey are we?
- What wants to be lived through us?
- What is the gift of this time?

So looking forward to this friends.

Tenneson

[Suzanne M. Hoenig]

Howdy, y'all!

What has called me -- it's been calling down over the years and only as I get older do I find the words for the narrative and, sometimes, even the eyes to see that there is a steady curve to the story.

I'm drawn by connections and fascinated by fractals, the over-and-over again way of humans being together, everywhere. Briefly, I learned of something called "servant leadership" while I was career networking in 2007. Through that paradigm, I was introduced to the work and person of Ann McGee-Cooper. Following her, I came upon "systems thinking" and attended the Pegasus Conference in 2008 where I learned (more) of Berkana, Art of Hosting, and synergistic practices. I've also attended IONS in Tucson. Meantime, I've been following the AoH list for a few years and "lurking" -- listening, reading, daydreaming. I see this work (your work, and I hope it to be mine) as unabashedly, unflinchingly peace work.

I've just listened to Eve Ensler's speech at the Upaya Zen Center (http://www.upaya.org/dharma/the-future-is-girl/). She speaks of the new world we're living into and how we might together call it into existence. So very much the same language as I've learned from this worldwide community of practice. Then, the hostess, Roshi Joan Halifax, speaks of Senge and Wheatley and it becomes obvious (again) that we're all in this together and anticipating and building the future together.

There's this hopeful, proactive, Theory U, conscious and conscientious approach to envisioning, nay, co-creating, the future. Then, there's also the Hollywood "Armageddon-is-here"/post Apocalyptic blockbuster, bombast genre that dates back, I'm sure, to before I was born. You know the one, Terminator, The Stand, Day After Tomorrow, The Book of Eli. They premeditate what we're going to do when, not if, it all goes to hell. Mentors of mine have said to me that they already think it's too late. I disagree. I intend to put my efforts into service of this Great Awakening. But, my entrepreneur's heart is weary.

So, towards answering the second question, I'm hoping to find my role in the unfolding. As a "walk-out" from corporate America, I struggle almost daily with my decision and how best to proceed. I am so tempted to pull the veil back over my eyes. I'm excited for this gathering and expect to find exactly what I need (whatever that is) and hope to give to it and you equally.

Thanks so very much for your Self.

[Analesa Rose Berg]

Beautiful, Suzanne. Welcome! I look forward to meeting you and co-creating this new step in the journey together. Lisa

Suzanne M. Hoenig said:

Howdy, y'all!

What has called me -- it's been calling down over the years and only as I get older do I find the words for the narrative and, sometimes, even the eyes to see that there is a steady curve to the story.

I'm drawn by connections and fascinated by fractals, the over-and-over again way of humans being together, everywhere. Briefly, I learned of something called "servant leadership" while I was career networking in 2007. Through that paradigm, I was introduced to the work and person of Ann McGee-Cooper. Following her, I came upon "systems thinking" and attended the Pegasus Conference in 2008 where I learned (more) of Berkana, Art of Hosting, and synergistic practices. I've also attended IONS in Tucson. Meantime, I've been following the AoH list for a few years and "lurking" -- listening, reading, daydreaming. I see this work (your work, and I hope it to be mine) as unabashedly, unflinchingly peace work.

I've just listened to Eve Ensler's speech at the Upaya Zen Center (http://www.upaya.org/dharma/the-future-is-girl/). She speaks of the new world we're living into and how we might together call it into existence. So very much the same language as I've learned from this worldwide community of practice. Then, the hostess, Roshi Joan Halifax, speaks of Senge and Wheatley and it becomes obvious (again) that we're all in this together and anticipating and building the future together.

There's this hopeful, proactive, Theory U, conscious and conscientious approach to envisioning, nay, co-creating, the future. Then, there's also the Hollywood "Armageddon-is-here"/post Apocalyptic blockbuster, bombast genre that dates back, I'm sure, to before I was born. You know the one, Terminator, The Stand, Day After Tomorrow, The Book of Eli. They premeditate what we're going to do when, not if, it all goes to hell. Mentors of mine have said to me that they already think it's too late. I disagree. I intend to put my efforts into service of this Great Awakening. But, my entrepreneur's heart is weary.

So, towards answering the second question, I'm hoping to find my role in the unfolding. As a "walk-out" from corporate America, I struggle almost daily with my decision and how best to proceed. I am so tempted to pull the veil back over my eyes. I'm excited for this gathering and expect to find exactly what I need (whatever that is) and hope to give to it and you equally.

Thanks so very much for your Self.

[Ria Baeck]

What has called you to come to this gathering - The Art of Humans Being - Repatterning Ourselves, Our Work, and Our Communities in the New Story?
As I knew how this gathering was being born, slowly but steadily, I wondered if I was meant to be there - living on the other side of the ocean...first I didn't see how I could decide to go for one gathering, and pay in money and in CO2 travel... then it showed that I could combine it with another gathering on the same continent... and then there was an offer that would pay my stay and accommodation; then I made the decision to come.
It was calling me, as I knew that an integration was taking place between the two main streams of my life: Art of Hosting and Women Moving the Edge. On top of that, there would be a conscious effort to harvest out the learnings from the gathering! Three passions in a row for me.
I guess I have been all my life in the quest of what is masculine and what is feminine - on the level of the archetype - and now it seems time to look how they can co-create together; in ourselves, and in between us. I guess that is part of the Art of Humans Being.

What is your curiosity about the unfolding new story? what do you envision? what might be your role? or simply what the new story brings up in you and how it might take form in your life?
I am curious what is possible to emerge, knowing so many of the people and their competences and capacities to stay in the present and in the unknown. It will be a next step in the unfolding of the human potential; a next step in co-creativity; a next step in consciousness. My role? As always: to stay centered and to invite others to go even deeper, to ask the not so obvious questions; to name what is really going on on the level of potential that wants to manifest...

[Peggy Wolfe Dunn]

What has called you to come to this gathering - The Art of Humans Being - Repatterning Ourselves, Our Work, and Our Communities in the New Story?

Now I see these questions! I answered a couple of questions when I joined AOH last week, and thought those were these questions! Anyway.....

I have been so interested in some of the comments and conversations that have happened on the AOH listserve over the past year or so. Something in me resonates very deeply with this work which AOH folks do, and I have drawn on insights and models in my work with groups and congregations for a number of years. I want to be more intentional about living out of my understanding of Being Human as I continue to ask what is the deepest nature of my work in this period of my life: how am I being called to most clearly and effectively offer the Who I Am into the What Is? When this invitation came for a gathering close to my home, it felt like an invitation I couldn't/shouldn't pass up, almost regardless of its particular title. And, Tenneson and I have connected sporadically online since being at a From the Four Directions event in Tucson in 2000 (?) - this is a chance to reconnect with him face to face! That gathering and its aftermaths have continued to feed my head and heart for years - now I'm ready to deepen the connections.

What is your curiosity about the unfolding new story? what do you envision? what might be your role? or simply what the new story brings up in you and how it might take form in your life?
Which new story? THE new story? I have been captured by the New Story as in THE UNIVERSE STORY, and a lot of my work circles around how to continue to deepen my 'getting' of that story in my bones, knowing how the Christian story fits into it (or not), and then knowing what and how to teach/preach/live out of that context. And sometimes it's a lot more fun than these words might indicate!

[Nancy Goodman]

Greetings -

I want to take a few minutes to introduce myself in advance of meeting face-to-face on Thursday. I am called to our gathering by my previous experience with Judy, Lisa and Ed'Veeje at Women Moving the Edge. Setting aside 3+ days to slow down, reflect and interact has been a deeply nourishing experience. I'm ready to do it again!

I have to say that I'm coming to this gathering a bit the worse for wear. My ideas and ideals about what I envision have been challenged by the realities I've been dealing with recently. At least in part I am coming to shore up my sense of what's possible and fight off my creeping cynicism! I look forward to reflecting with all of you on what we can do individually and collectively to bring forth a healthy, positive, all-inclusive future.

[Steve Ryman]

What has called you to come to this gathering - The Art of Humans Being - Repatterning Ourselves, Our Work, and Our Communities in the New Story?

I am in a time of transition, having just left my job of 35 years. While in Africa this spring, I realized that the time had come and that there is other working waiting for me. I don’t know what this work will be and yet I know that something is waiting for me to hear the call and to respond. I have spent much of the past 35 years helping to build a nonprofit healthcare learning organization based upon self-organizing and self-managing teams that has lived many of the patterns and principles found in the Art of Hosting. We have experienced the challenges and joys of working in these patterns and living with the questions of how best to learn as an organization and to share leadership. I believe that the world needs more organizations and communities that embody the wisdom of living systems and I want to be part of helping these systems to develop and thrive. Right now I am in a time of listening, inquiry and discernment. How best can I be of service? What new levels of leadership and learning am I being called to? In what work settings can I be most effective and find the most satisfaction? I know that I need to be in relationship and in conversation with others who share my questions and my perspective in order to hear my call and discern the direction that life is calling me. The topic of this gathering spoke to this need and the participants are people that I respect and who I welcome as companions in this journey.

What is your curiosity about the unfolding new story? what do you envision? what might be your role? or simply what the new story brings up in you and how it might take form in your life?

For me, the unfolding new story is about community and about being in a different kind of relationship with people and with the universe. It is about learning to trust that the universe has a role for me to play and that my needs will be met by the abundance of life. It is a story of evolving consciousness and of opportunity to be co-designers and co-creators of new systems that operate in harmony with the natural world. It is a story about being a part, not apart, of the life of this planet. I am curious about what can be possible from this different perspective and different way of working. I am curious about what wants to happen in the world and what role I can play in what wants to happen. I am curious about how to live in a way that honors and nurtures life and development; what practices can I adopt that will contribute to an evolving consciousness? I am really curious to discover what new relationships are waiting to be developed, what possibilities there are for collaboration and where I am being called to serve. What else is possible from a mood of gratitude and openness?