Dear Brothers and Sisters,
My picture, “The Gift,” can be a symbol of community. It has manifest and manifesting structures. It has beings and forces of diverse natures all connected into a whole. It can represent a body and its organs visited by Grace.
The Restorative Community
To begin this month’s letter from the Chair, I am quoting excerpts from Peter Block’s little book, “Community, the Structure of Belonging”. This book continuously inspires me with new ideas for my life and community.
“Restoration comes from the choice to value possibility and relatedness over problems, (and) self-interest…. It hinges on the accountability chosen by citizens and (our) willingness to connect with each other around promises … (we) make to each other.
Restoration is created by the kinds of conversations we initiate with each other. These conversations are the leverage point for an alternative future. The core question that underlies each conversation is “What can we create together?” (bolds mine)
From Problems to Possibility
What do possibilities look like as they emerge from our soul? Something like my picture here? A possibility has embedded in its core an idea that takes wing when shared.
A possibility comes into existence when you declare it publicly. It then comes with you whenever you enter the room. When you declare a possibility you bring into existence the life that lives in it.
I declare for myself the possibility of Friendship. It inspires me and can help me create a community in Subud where each of us knows we belong.
Queen Liliuokalani (the last monarch of Hawaii) said to her daughter when her monarchy ended something I feel is worth repeating and relevant: “To gain the kingdom of Heaven is to hear what is not said, to see what can not be seen, and to know the unknowable.”
Here is my Renewing Angel. May you know the blessings of Renewal.
Love and Blessings, Robert
P.S. I invite you to come to a “Connection Gathering,” October 7th through October 10th, at Seven Circles Retreat Center in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra near the ancient Sequoia trees. Look for the detailed invitation in this newsletter and at your Center. It will be a moment of possibility, inspiration, and renewal.