2002    Feb-March   April-May   June-July   Aug-Sept   Oct - Dec                                         
Last updated  May 6th '2003

Thence the second
tuesday each month.

6.30 til 9.00pm

Drummoyne     Session 3

A free wheeling conversation this evening that included two new participants.  We  welcome them.

Commenting on the previous session we took up the cudgel for fun as a part of the 'good' life.  How does that happen?  For one person at least it was determined by a conscious decision.  Planning a holiday recently she had a clear intention  to make it fun from the moment decided to go.  Giving up all agendas as to how it might show up she moved in to a state of trust that whatever was to come would be adventure and fun.  Getting the experience we want can be little more than a conscious choice.  Must be open to whatever comes

A discussion appeared on the distinction between active listening and manipulation.

We then moved on to 'learning' and what we thought was important for young people to learn before they left school and moved into the workforce.  It was made very clear that accommodating different learning styles was a must along with special cases such as ADD.  A round of the table elicited the following:

• Important that they KNOW themselves
• Basic skills in the 3 R's and communication.
• Know enough about the society that they are moving in to.  Its values and priorities and so forth.
• The need love and a sense that others want to be with them.
• Need to be nurtured and an environment created so that they enjoy school and the learning experience.
• More on interpersonal communication
• Respect for themselves and others.  Acceptance of others.
• Awareness of themselves, their challenges and their special talents/skills etc.
• Acceptance of themselves and their gifts
• Respect - Awareness - Curiosity - Awe

A cautionary note was offered on using formulaic processes as opposed to acting naturally.

Question was raised, does change happen in spite of us or can we create it?  That raised a session about the distinction between values and personality.  Also beliefs.  Perhaps our core personality remains pretty much in tact but our beliefs and behaviour can change.

Conversation about listening without judgement.  This creates the further offerings about important issues or matters we are passionate about with a sense of freedom.

For one person at least, this conversation space was like an oasis in a desert.

12.00 

     til

1.30pm

Lunch Time Chat at St James Ethics Centre

And still they keep coming.  Two more new participants today.  Thank you for coming and welcome.

We seemed to slip very easily into a general chat about deeper listening, its effects and how it might show up.

First came the thought that it is largely unexplored and that the Quakers can really show us what it means to be "Listened" to.   We think that their belief is that God resides in all of us and that when they listen, they are listening to the spirit of God in us.  Very powerful.

Conversation and listening takes time, we must put aside other thoughts, be open and cautious about  busy ness and doing which only gets in the way.

A sharing that caught my attention was from someone who suggests that he's probably only been listened to twice ever.  That was followed by some in depth talk about how we know for sure when we are listened to and what gets in the way of true listening and hearing.

When we are not truly present for each other, our communication becomes shallow and frivolous like fairy floss, leaving us starved of that deeper nourishment.  These conversations leave us feeling nourished.

So what we took away with us was:

• Listening is about NOT being in control
• Respect
• When a human being comes over the horizon, it is a momentous event.
• The value of being present for another
• The worst thing we can do to others is to ignore them.
• Savu Bhona.   Sikkona.   An African greeting.  "I see you."    "I am here."
• Listening is something I choose to do or not to do.

11.00am
til
3.00pm

The Verandah Group.  Barrington.

The Verandah Group
This venue is in a private home, (Well on the verandah anyway.) about 15 Kms outside of Gloucester.

Subject was Self Esteem.

Oct 20th Notes

11.00am
til
3.00pm

The Verandah Group
This venue is in a private home, (Well on the verandah anyway.) about 15 Kms outside of Gloucester.

Sorry.  Notes not available.

11.00am
til
3.00pm

The Verandah Group
This venue is in a private home, (Well on the verandah anyway.) about 15 Kms outside of Gloucester.

Special wind up with reflection backwards and forwards.
Dec 15th Notes