Notes from the Heart and Soul meeting 9 January 2007

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About 24 people came to this, our second open meeting. Hilary started the meeting with a song and a short paired listening; despite reminders Sophy forgot to include a go-round of names (sorry), and the main part of the evening was spent doing a…

Mini open space

Sophy mapped out the Heart and Soul group’s progress so far.. and invited topics for discussion relating to 3 questions:

Three discussion groups emerged from this:

Setting up support groups Creating guidelines and some kind of initial meeting point for people who are looking to join a group for support around the issues that Transition Town Totnes brings up. There was a clear "YES!" to this idea from those in the discussion.

What is the vision for the heart and soul group? Max’s feedback from this group:
"TTT should involve a transition to a sustainable way of being as well as doing and, for this, it’s not so much what you do as the way that you do it. Basic human qualities are all we need, such as integrity, respect, compassion, being non-judgmental, and a willingness to share—but to manifest these we need to make a transition to and stabilise a state in our selves that enables them. Each one has their own way of tapping into such ‘divine energy’ and their own particular strengths to contribute. With this grounding, work becomes work with love in which no one is the enemy, and trust involves “being in the moment.”

Globally, we need to find a new authenticity along with new forms of sustaining psychological and spiritual understanding. For this, we may need to look again at the old myths to find what we can use and what we need to leave behind.

Locally, let’s have a party! And for TTT let’s make this a celebration! That way the transition process helps the creation of a community."

From Jacqui: “My prayer is that this little town Totnes becomes a beacon of inspiration for the world!”

How can we use creativity and intuitive processes to include wisdom from beyond the human field? A wide ranging discussion about different kinds of work that bring in or connect with natural or transpersonal energies.. such as soul tracking (moving in nature); eco-constellations; art and creativity; Joanna Macy type processes; shamanic work; and so on. Time was spent talking about the importance of accessing these elements as well as using human mind and imagination.

We finished with a round of names and last word of goodbye..