Village Builder s Toolkit Volume 3 Handout

Transcription

1 Village Builder s Tlkit Vlume 3 Handut! Supprtive Cmmunity Structures Sme Favrite & Prven Elements By Jn Yung What will fllw in this dcument is a shrt list (with shrt descriptins) f things yu can d as a Village Builder that we have fund wrk well in families, grups, and in rganizatinal and cmmunity settings. This list is derived frm the fllwing diagram. At the Art f Mentring weeklng intensive prgram we ften share this diagram, and the cncepts therein, in a game shw frmat. We put the chart in frnt f the grup twards the end f the week and we have peple name a bx (East Ring 4), and then the staff up frnt has t talk abut hw that cultural element was implemented during the Art f Mentring week-lng village simulatin event. It s a great mment during the week, and I really have fun seeing hw peple s creativity raises bth in their implementatin f cultural elements and where this discussin ges. The pint here, anyne can d this. It can be fun and remarkably simple. The grid belw depicts the names f the 64 Cultural Elements used in the Art f Mentring, and in Village Builder thinking. The Acrn Leader s Tlkit ffers explanatins fr many f the first fur rings f cultural elements n this grid. These are the mst helpful fr running pwerful, fun and cnnective events using the 8 Shields. Jn Yung, 8 Shields Village Builder s Tlkit, 2015 Page 1

2 ! Village Builder s Tlkit Vlume 3 Handut 64 Cultural Elements: 8 Shields (Clumns) and 8 Rings (Rws), bth reference the 8 attributes in that each f the elements is psitined fr what attribute is mst supprted in applicatin f the cultural element. Fr instance Sutheast Ring 1 Games supprts the Vitality attribute. Where d these cncepts cme frm? If yu lk at Ring 2 West (like Bing), yu see Facilitate Individuality. There are lts f terms there that might be freign r even strange, smetimes funny. Intergeneratinal Transfer & Pssessin fr instance, gets peple talking. What are these elements and where d they cme frm? The research I did at Rutgers University, Ck Cllege, in the years 1979 t 1983, and really ever since then, was driven by sme questins that were and cntinue t be, very imprtant t me. The basic questin is set in the cntext f a basic set f assumptins and bservatins: Indigenus hunter-gatherer peple really KNOW their place the landscapes they live in and identify with and there knwledge is at a very high level. This high level f knwledge, and relatinship with their place and the natural elements f their place, are als indicative f a deep sense f cnnectin and respnsible envirnmental behavirs. There s smething in the way that they train their children, and adults, in this knwledge and cnnectin, that can benefit us tday. If we can get peple tday t the same level f cnnectin and knwledge as the indigenus flks mentined abve, then we can expect that they will have respnsible envirnmental behavirs amng ther attributes f deep cnnectin and inherent respnsible behavirs including caring fr ther peple with mre attentin, capacity and intentin. What I have learned ver the thirty years f applying the deep nature cnnectin and strategic cultural mentring mdel is that there is sme truth and dependability t these abve-listed assumptins. S, let s say this as a fundatinal cntext t supprt the fllwing questins: Peple are truly mved int cnnectin thrugh strategic deep nature cnnectin mentring and cmmunity facilitatin (Village Building). This is a prven cncept and prcess. Cnnectin is measured by the presence f 8 Attributes f Deep Nature Cnnectin. We list these cnnectin attributes accrding t the 8 Shields (s we can match prcesses and elements t the expected r intended utcme with respect t these attributes. Peple find it helpful t think specifically abut the attributes as a guideline and reflectin tl; East: Happiness f a Child (inncent and prne t smiling, giggling and laughing) Sutheast: Abundance f Electricity (vitality, reflexes peaked and plenty f energy t mve) Suth: Cmmitment t Mentring (listening deeply t thers stries and helping thers get these same attributes!) Jn Yung, 8 Shields Village Builder s Tlkit, 2015 Page 2

3 ! Village Builder s Tlkit Vlume 3 Handut Suthwest: Cnnectin & Empathy with Nature (and peple f curse) West: Being Truly Helpful (finding ur gift and using ur awareness t take initiative) Nrthwest: Being Fully Alive (lsing lved nes helps us remember t be in life fully) Nrth: Cmpassin & Lve fr Peple (frgiveness in ur hearts, even fr thse wh challenge us) Nrtheast: Quiet Mind (inner peace, cmes frm deep sensry engagement with ur surrundings) Nw the questin that drve the research: What d all these indigenus cmmunities have in cmmn in their cultural practices since they dn t have a schl per se? This caused me t research varius traditinal cultural practices and scietal and elements, especially in hunter-gatherer, nmadic scieties and frm sandy places t limit the diversity fr my research, and t match my experience with Tm Brwn, Jr. and the Apache lineage, Ingwe and the Akamba and Bushman lineages. These cultures had smething in cmmn: the children were all raised t be amazingly cnnected t nature very deeply. All the children and adults have the attributes mst f the time. They are exceptinally aware and pssess amazing tracking skills bth the men and the wmen. This became the cre f ur mdel where d great trackers cme frm and why? Anther framing questin was, Can I find these same practices r elements in at least three cultures and n three different cntinents? Finally, Are these prcesses r elements used fr peaceful purpses and, d they bring abut well-being amng the peple impacted by their applicatin? Frm this basis f cntext and questins, I gathered cncepts, teachings, elements and prcesses. I lked at each f these cultural elements, fund their basic essence (that which all three cntinents have in cmmn), and fund ways t apply these as mdels in the grup settings such as prgrams fr yuths I was leading. This research is still under way and the chart still grws, but much slwer nw as we are filling up the 8 Shields map. On the 8 Shields map, there are bviusly 8 Shields. A shield is a cllectin f elements, teachings, prcesses and cncepts that are gathered accrding t their relatinship t certain archetypal values. Each cllectin is aimed at an attribute f cnnectin. Fr instance, the Nrtheast Shield is a cllectin f elements that bring abut the Quiet Mind. Each shield has 8 rings. These rings represent rughly the stages f life frm birth t death. These rings crrespnd t the archetypal unflding n a deep learning jurney related t the bilgical, inbrn and instinctive aspects f ur cnsciusness as human beings related t stages and ages f life. S, there are 8 shields and 8 rings. There are als strands n each shield guess hw many! Yes, there are 8 f them. These are pathways f activities that are sequential in nature. In ther wrds, each f the 8 strands dwn a shield tward an attribute, represents the sequential pathway with 8 steps (represented by hw each f the 8 strand crsses an intersectin with a ring). Why such cmplexity? Well, this gives us as a mvement a tlbx fr referencing hw t wrk with cultural elements effectively and cnsistently. And, t apply the right element at the right time as best we can. We are imitating the village structure and mapping what s there, and what s missing. Jn Yung, 8 Shields Village Builder s Tlkit, 2015 Page 3

4 ! Village Builder s Tlkit Vlume 3 Handut The riginal purpse fr this diagram was t cllect all in ne place, and t reference 8 Shields as a cntext. That s why it s rganized this way. S, study that chart if yu want, but really just find simple things that yu can d in yur cmmunity, family and grup settings. The Fur Pillars f DNCMCR: Deep Nature Cnnectin, Mentring & Culture Repair The DNCMCR Pillars are really imprtant design cnsideratins. These came frm asking What did the peple have in cmmn wh manifested the 8 Attributes f Cnnectin within 2 years? 1) Deep Nature Cnnectin, 2) Cnscius Cmpetence in the Art f Mentring (Principles f Art f Mentring nw built int this Village Builder s Tlkit curse), 3) Effective Grieving / Recnnectin Rutines, and 4) Regular Expsure t Transfrmative Leadership (peple wh have the attributes and wh are walking their path as a rle mdel). Mre n this in future Vlumes f the Village Builder s Tlkit. In the meantime, there are sme simple things yu can start with belw, s read n. Remember, t be patient, t think abut this stuff and begin t evlve plans arund all this. Have fun with this prcess and add elements t regular gatherings with peple yu want t build relatinships with and explre village building with ptentially. Here s the List f FUN and SIMPLE Things Yu Can D T Create Supprtive Cmmunity Welcme Peple well [Re: (East 1) Greeting Custms] Remember when yu gather with flks, welcme them well. Give them a nurishing treat r drink, and shw them the facilities. Let peple arrive fully and invite them t be present. Reach ut. Ask them hw their travels were. (See the ROCP prtcl fr mre cncepts arund this). Adjust the style f yur greeting t meet peple where they are at, take sme time t really understand their perspectives and yu will find yur custms getting strnger in their ability t facilitate gd cnnectins. Remember the rle f gratitude as part f things. A simple sharing circle r talking stick mdel can really enhance this, but remember t meet peple where they re at. Wipe Off the Rad Dust [Re: (Nrthwest 1)] Nw, dn t start thinking t deeply arund this. Peple like t tell the stry f their travels catch that stry. D yu knw that a walk in the garden, small talk, tea and visiting, as well as a talking circle can be effective fr grief remval rad dust remval? Als, are yu aware that wrds f gratitude shared in circle can really d the same? Remember the safe cntainer. The 8 Hand Shakes f 8 Shields [Re: MANY f the bxes tgether in a sub-list] We met fr several years with an rganizatinal cnsultant / elder named Peter. He really helped us t distill the cre and fundatinal elements f ur wrk. This was an intense prcess. We recgnized that we were all abut cnnectin, and the prcesses that gt us there. S the nn-negtiable items n ur list are nw called the 8 Handshakes. These are AWESOME design principles t cnsider. They say simply East (1 st Hand Shake) Deep Nature Cnnectin is at the cre. Facilitate activities, games, infrmal times with ther friends and families where peple can meet up (rutinely and regularly wrks best) s that peple can bserve and interact with nature in her seasns, find and share fun things with each ther, track wildlife and subtle sign tgether, wander and be with the herbs and plants, celebrate the eclgy, celebrate the heritage species, the trees & bushes and Jn Yung, 8 Shields Village Builder s Tlkit, 2015 Page 4

5 ! Village Builder s Tlkit Vlume 3 Handut birds and bird language. Tune int the elements f wind, water, sil, rck, muntain, hill, creek, river, marsh and sea. Lk t the cluds, the rains, snws, stars, sun and mn. Be in nature and build relatinships and cnnectins amng yurselves and in yur families and in yur cmmunities. Deep nature cnnectin results in the 8 Attributes EVENTUALLY (five years smetimes). Suth (2 nd Hand Shake) Strategic Mentring Results in Deep Nature Cnnectin. Apply the cre rutines in Cytes Guide in small grups and in families. Remember aunties and uncles can ften be mre effective in wrking with children than parents when it cmes t weaving deep nature cnnectin. Therefre, parents, becme aunties and uncles and share this with ther families regularly. Find small fun ways t make this wrk. Remember the cre-est f all cre rutines: g fr timeless nature experience and then gather t share the stry f the day. This cycle is the back-bne. Share nature. Share stries. Then build n t that with gd rle mdels (wh reflect VALUES and CONDUCT as well as NATURE CONNECTION). Study Cyte s Guide and keep it simple. Backyard Subsistence Practice (3 rd Hand Shake) rules! Having a Weber grill and things t ck tgether is hearkening back t the mst ancient, 1 millin year ld pattern, f cking arund a fire tgether and eating tgether. Feasting and ptlucks can be partially utside. Dirt piles can entertain children. Permaculture principles can be applied t backyards t serve multiple purpses: garden, share gardening in wrk parties, berries, chickens, bushes, trees t climb, bird habitat, wildlife habitat, interesting water features. We fund that this is true with respect t Backyard Subsistence Practice: Have Fire at the Center Share Music, Sng and Dance (if cmfrtable enugh, keep it accessible and fun and simple) Water features really add smething (beach side, river r pnd shres, pls, puddles, sprinklers ) Sharing Fd Sharing Stry (in a gd cntainer) Sharing Skills (all manner f them, frm fire by frictin, t birding, t canning and cking). Shared wrk Tend the Wild (4 th Hand Shake) and get ut there in wild places. Seeing thse cytes n the hill, watching that bbcat hunting vles, laying in the grass and watching the cluds with a few friends after a gd lng hike r wander, taking jy in clearing trash frm a stream bed, helping restre wild habitat fr spawning fish, r breeding birds. Whatever that activity that gets grups tgether tending the wild the rewards are awesme. One f ur favrites here is ging with families t large, wild huckleberry patches and clearing dead brush ut (bring it hme fr the fire), and then shwing up in the seasn fr harvesting berries and really enjying the results. Create a nature cnnectin club that just ges and explres nature tgether and even mre pwerfully tie the abve mentined activities t that experience as an after event. Cmmunity Facilitatin Practices (5 th Hand Shake) need t be shared with cmmitment by cre stakehlders. What we call Peace-making is the simplest versin f this t get acrss t flks, but there are ther cntainers ut there as well frm Cmpassinate Cmmunicatin, t Re-evaluatin Cunseling, t Open Space and Wrld Café. There are thers as well. We have adpted, adapted, Jn Yung, 8 Shields Village Builder s Tlkit, 2015 Page 5

6 ! Village Builder s Tlkit Vlume 3 Handut blended best practices frm, and integrated int the 8 Shields all kinds f facilitatin and grup prcess mdels frm traditinal and mdern surces. We still build n this basic framewrk The East-West Axis is Inviting, including and welcming all vices, and sharing wrds with care and intentin, The Gd Message The Nrtheast-Suthwest Axis invlves engaging the cnnective system thrugh sensry awareness, gratitude and timeless grunding in nature, Peace is the result and the intentin at nce The Nrth-Suth Axis hlds space fr Unity, and it s a learned and felt sense, as ppsed t agreement n an intellectual level; the safety f the cntainer is built frm the tw axes abve, but als frm hnring agreements The Nrthwest-Sutheast Axis recgnizes that when the tp three practices f Peace, Gd Message and Unity dn t seem t wrk, there s prbably sme grief tending t take care f fr Releasing Blcks frm cnnectin Releasing Blcks & Healing Prcesses (6 th Hand Shake) are imprtant t have in place as agreements BEFORE they are needed. We, at 8 Shields, encurage flks t be vulnerable (when they have created a safe cntainer t hld that), and witness vulnerability and transparency n the healing-f-cnnectin jurney. This is relatively new stuff we are dealing with a sciety at large with large leftver vestiges f histric trauma that effective ur ability t safely cnnect in many ways: with nature, with ur gifts, each ther, ur ancestrs and urselves. There are numerus practices emerging glbally (thankfully) that lk straight at this. A traditinal practice called h pnpn is gaining ppularity, even at the United Natins. The bttm line is fr flks t build relatinships with varius grief-tending practitiners and t be sure t have them invited t all the activities in cmmunity that yu can. We have (as a mvement) adpted Sacred Fires as a practice in harmny with deep nature cnnectin, as well as varius ceremnies and healing mdalities frm traditinal lineages. Deep nature cnnectin tends t bring up unique patterns f blcks that are particular t the deep nature cnnectin mvement. We are in cnstant study f best-practices here and yu culd say this is where the frming edge f 8 Shields is at right nw as far as research, testing and mdel develpment. Regenerative Design (7 th Hand Shake) is really a grup prcesses sharing what yu nw knw as Renewal f Creative Path. This is a very effective recipe, and a cllectin f best practices that depends n individual stakehlders, and their primary relatinships, and rganizatins and cllabratrs smetimes neighbrs getting tgether and sharing ideas abut what s wrking best fr cnnectin enhancement. Frm these ideas, lking at cmmitments t mve frward with, and witnessing and supprting each ther n this jurney. Sme might call these planning retreats with a fcus n peple and nature cnnectin practices. I think that fits. Ultimately, it s abut hw t take the items in this dcument and bring them frward in yur life by develping teams sharing the cncepts in the dcument, the values, the prcesses fr facilitatin, and then ging fr it! Dn t frget t plan feedback and evaluatin sessin int the prcess t. That really matters. Permaculture principles are a great resurce t think abut these imprtant design elements in Village Building. In fact, Village Building is directly Jn Yung, 8 Shields Village Builder s Tlkit, 2015 Page 6

7 ! Village Builder s Tlkit Vlume 3 Handut linked t Permaculture in that it represents design and implementatin f invisible structures. Regenerative Design als refers t hw this wrk will manifest int the future, fr future generatins f all living things nt just peple. Facilitating Peple s Individuality & Creativity (8 th Hand Shake) is a primary cre element (n the chart yu can find it in multiple places) fr healthy regenerative culture. Design (a la the 7 th Hand Shake abve) requires creativity. What brings creativity t the fre? Lts f things, art, music, creative expressin in varius frms f media, and prcesses like the Renewal f Creative Path. The mst pwerful expressin f this is the Visin Quest as a cmmn cultural element, and an imperative in a healthy culture. It s really abut helping every persn find their gift s they can take their respnsibility in cmmunity effectively based in their greatest cnnectin t true pwer in the ultimate creativity: that s the energy, r spirit that mves in all things in nature. Hw t get that fastest? Yu guessed it Deep Nature Cnnectin (the 1 st Hand Shake), s we are back in the East and the need t facilitate deep nature cnnectin effectively. S g t the tp f the dcument and read it again (Just kidding srt f). Remember in all this that whatever yu d, make it fun, simple and smething yu can easily take n, and in a relaxed manner. If it s stressful, yu are prbably ver ding it. I gave yu a MASTER list f pssibilities, can yu find a simple sub-set fr yurself, family and friends t create frm? Share this with ther ptential Village Building cllabratrs in yur area and start gathering in small and simple ways. Remember t include many generatins, frm babies t elders and wander in nature, then circle rund the fire, sharing fd and stries! This is the smallest unit f Village Building. Wishing yu the best! Jn Yung Jn Yung, 8 Shields Village Builder s Tlkit, 2015 Page 7