The next event here will be on Wed Nov 24th  2004 6.30pm

Topic not decided yet so come with an idea of what you'd like to introduce.

Come early and enjoy the food.

Gum Nut Tea Rooms     

Last month (October) we ventured into the question of neighbourliness and community and how that might show up for us.  Really interesting group huddled around a fire with a fantastic rainstorm outside.

A very pleasant al fresco setting that has decent nosh and coffee.  I’m hoping
this will be better attended and develop into something special.  Come and join us.  

Read about   Oct 02      Nov 02    Dec 12

Thursday December 12th

This was our last event for the year and a thoughtful conversation ensued around the issue of corporate leadership.

A need for leadership is apparent and some of the comments were:

• It seems to be an alienating role that is difficult to relate to the masses
• Question whether corporate leadership denies us access to the 'normal' people.
• It's about inspiring others and empowering others.
• Some senior executives know when to be directive and when to mingle and step back.  They have both ability and humility.
• The danger comes when we try to separate leadership from the rest of the team.
• Is it possible for compassionate humble people to be great leaders?
• Needs the humility that comes from having a deep understanding of who we really are.
• Some Australian leaders were named but we would like suggestions of more.
• Qualities included vision, humility, courage, inspiration, self awareness, adaptability
• Great people can be great leaders but don't have to be
• Media seems to prompt our contempt for our leaders.
• Leaders can be found in all spheres of our society.
• True leaders may be individuals working alone.

A number of stories came out that were from the heart.  

A very pleasant, albeit serious, end to the year.

Thursday Nov 14th                                               Back to top

I'm obliged to comment again on the number of new people turning up.  We had a well stocked table at this event held in the Gum Nut garden.  A beautiful affair.

To the question, "Why did you come?" people responded in a way the reminded me that the conversation process really works and that these events are doing their job.

• I'm a big picture person and I'm feel in this environment I can speak freely without being judged.   Not possible in the workplace.
• I'm constantly learning to listen and that's why I come here.
• Great to be thinking and talking about big issues that really matter.
• I'm here to discover issues and I like to be here where it's quite safe NOT to know.
• Well I had a free evening and this seemed like a good thing to do. (Honesty)
• Just enjoy being with these people.
• Another 'big picture' person and likes this place for expression.
• Change in life pattern has given me the time and conversations of this nature have always been exciting and interesting for me.
• This is a place where I can experience real community of people being respectful
• Oh yes.. all that and the food is pretty good too.  (Honesty?)

One of our number described her visit to a meditation retreat and her subsequent experiences there.  As others had had similar experiences the conversation just grew around what that meant for us and questions were posed for the meaning or connection with meditation and our daily lives.

Digging into what meditation was all about in terms of our experience of it we talked about it as an antidote for stress.  Our need for silence, to come to a place of stillness.

After a time, came to the experience of heightened sensory awareness.  Sights, sounds, sensitivity  and smells became more acute.  Felt more supported and aware of who I am.

Question raised, "Does meditation help you come to like yourself better?"  

Rather than liking ourselves better it's more about knowing who we really are and the liking is not an issue

Can you do this yourself or do we need an external teacher?

This evoked a variety of responses and most seemed to think that initially at least, a teacher would be helpful.  Some would prefer to stay with their teacher and others were happy to go and have their own experience.

Noted that you never knew who might be your teacher.  They can come from anywhere.

The meditation process creates the space in our lives where the healing can take place.  If we can remember that space and allow the teacher within to speak.

One person felt comfortable that she was on the right track just finding out what that space is.

Another suggested that even though he was in alignment with all of this, he was still affected by and distressed by all the unintelligent aggression around us.  The actions and threats of a certain President of a large country was distressing and worrying.

Finished with a story about unnecessary anxiety created when people try to live as though this was their last day on earth.  One participant was chastened when an astute and wise bystander said, "Why if I knew this was to be my last day on earth, I wouldn't be in a hurry to go anywhere."

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Wednesday Oct 16th                                           

Thanks again to the new people turning up.  They just keep coming and the pot gets richer.  I've said that before and it's still appropriate.

We went pretty much straight away into some observations about the Bali affair.  

Some concern expressed by how we seem to be being led by US oil and other business interests.  There was a sense that US Imperialism was calling the shots for us.  The result of this is our need to beware of repercussions.   

Bush seems to have convinced the world of our need to go to war.  Why?   He's doing it for oil and doing it right for Daddy.  Nearly all of the reasons expressed for war seem to be invalid to us.  There is no one way.  

Concern about how much and how accurate is the information we really get?  That goes for our so-called enemies as well.

Was it Hume who said something like, "For evil to prevail in the world it only takes a few good men to do nothing."

Also quoted was an old Chinese proverb that says, "One lie told 100 times becomes the truth."

People in Iraq are influenced and manipulated by government and the media.   Us too but how can we change the way the media influences us.

Great deal of concern about how the new laws are restructuring our basic rights.  Seems that this in itself means the "terrorists" have won.

All up the group expressed deep concern and anxiety about the way events are shaping up.  Seems we're more afraid of the actions and posturing of our own leaders than we are of possible terrorist activities.  These are likely to be accelerated as a result of our "leaders'' unimaginative reactions.

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