How can we come together with authenticity to co-create change?

Welcome to the Mandala in Mandrem, Goa and the first 3 day training in India of the Art of Hosting and Harvesting Conversations that Matter. A small group and the world is in the room! 

Circle practice

An introduction to Circle - the central
​form of the Art of Hosting and participatory leadership, and a more human way to be together - a leader in every chair

Visit The Circle Way 

Check in: Who are you and what brought you here?

  • Creating space for young people to take time out for themselves
  • Seeking help to be authentic to learn how to show up and then I can create charge and find my place on this earth
  • Optimism and hope is emerging – look around the circle
  • How can we discover wiser ways of living and working together?
  • White male in a colonised world and am how to work with that every day
  • A conversation on a beach brought us here
  • Eager to learn things to improve myself and create authenticity in other contexts
  • I find myself in circles more and more
  • I feel deeply connected to Gaia, nature. How do I share this and have those conversations that matter?
  • A seeker and a nomad, looking or our community
  • Outline a path of possibilities
  • Excited for more tools and kindling a new birth
  • Art of Hosting is a way to tap into change
  • To bring this into our new school in this community and to bring community together in a productive way
  • I’m sceptical to see how we can bring people together at the school
  • Creating and holding spaces that nourish authenticity
  • A learner, a traveller, a human being – a lover of people
  • Work that nourishes me, nourishes others and nourishes the planet
  • Bring this to people who have disadvantage. I need to be a peaceful learner
  • The hearts of the people is what matters
  • I have a café in London and want to host conversations that matter there J
  • No idea what we’re going to do here – and I’m here!
  • Conscious creator. I’m up for whatever it takes – what else is there?
  • A common thread at the core, deep in our heart is to be truly human and to bring change
  • Change from the inside out
  • Coming home to Goa to do this training. A learner. The only way to change systems is to co-create that change.
  • Deep sense of social justice from my mother
  • I love to help people and this seems the right place to be
  • I know the path and I’m not quite there yet
  • Not sure why but it feels like it’s right, I had to be here
  • Because I don’t know. I’m working in systems that don’t work anymore
  • The universe brought me here, but it’s my life’s journey
  • I believe humans have immense potential
  • An agent of change – working in ways that are compassionate and kind

 
  • Need to create new patterns and tools to be together better
  • To be living and working authentically. That’s what matters and how I can make a difference
  • As a trainer people expect you to bring about the change in their life
  • Still exploring things, a seeker of possibilities
  • To be a good teacher I need to be a learner – so I can bring about change
  • Being of service where I’m needed in the world
  • Jo brought me here – we need to step up and be part of the global call
  • ​On the verge of the next evolution of consciousness – choose the path of peace
  • Curious to learn ways to not feel burned out as a leader in the corporate world
  • Great things are possible here because it is a special place
  • A lifelong learner – the way we respond to crisis is often a part of the crisis
  • We are in the space inbetween two stories – disconnection. (Here) to create a new story for myself, the people and humanity
  • People everywhere are reaching and connecting with each other
  • Systems are not working well – excited to explore circle practice in a new context
  • The calling question: change is present – it’s here in this group
  • You fall in love with circle and cannot let it go
  • Things are not working. I’m interested in how this impacts on my leadership team
  • Seeker and connector and someone who gains energy from conscious dialogue
  • Your prisoners, your people, your school – taking the eagle view
  • Until there are more of us who are connected than those who are disconnected
  • I believe change is possible and we can co-create a better future
  • Why don’t conversations happen? What’s keeping us from accessing change?
  • Being conscious and authentic with people
  • We host conversations in slums across India and issues that matter. We need tools to process what we see, tools to use
  • Learn to step up and practice
  • Knowing in my heart that if we want to make a difference we have to show up
  • What matters is how we show up to work and have the conversation
  • Support and nourish Goa
  • Want to connect to grassroots activists for change

Core patterns and frameworks

We learned a little about some of the core patterns, frameworks and worldviews of the Art of Hosting. The chaordic path, divergence and convergence, and an introduction to living systems.

Appreciative Inquiry

Appreciative Inquiry uses the 5Ds model, shifting from a problem-solving approach to a possibility focus, a move from “what is” to “what could be”.  In the Art of Hosting, we use Appreciative Inquiry to tap into the latent capabilities of the group to create the success they’re seeking. We practiced in triads, sharing some powerful stories:
​Tell about a time when you have stepped up with courage.
Reflections from our triads:
  • The observing role was the most enriching
  • Filling the minutes was quite challenging
  • Their feedback taught me a lot about the experience, I got insight into my stoy
  • My story being reflected back though deep listening - it was healing
  • To honour people's story - you automatically bring your own views to the story, and had to be reflective
  • The observer noticed body language and feelings, listener focussed on content. The observer picked up so much more...

The Four-Fold Practice

The Four-Fold Practice is
the core practice, or the
heart of the Art of Hosting.
It is a rigorous and simple practice, with four folds.

A short video on The
Four-Fold Practice
"Anchor in the Four
Fold Flow "     
                                 - Anna

World Cafe

We were introduced to World Cafe, and participated in 3 rounds of conversation around some qicked questions that matter. Here are some of our insights from each round:

Round 1: What time is it in the world?

  • ​Time for action for action
  • A time of extremes
  • A time for apathy / potential for change
  • A time of change
  • A time of choice
  • A time to redefine abundance
  • A time to wake up!

Round 2: What time is it in your community / organisation?

  • ​Time of transition
  • Time to unlearn and reignite curiosity
  • Time to sit in circle
  • Time to step up with courage within our community
  • Time for exchange of love
  • Time for creating more spaces to just be
  • Time for spaces where everybody is welcome and valued
  • Time to wake up from our conditioning
  • Time to be human
  • Time to melt boundaries between communities
  • Time for inclusion – it it’s about us it cannot be without us
  • Time to be socially committed learners as a movement
  • Time for an authentic revolution

Round 3: What time is it in your life?

  • ​Time to BE
  • Time to do what matters
  • Time to find balance
  • Time to be present
  • Time to ask the right people for support
  • Time to make friends with my shadows
  • Time to be present fully with what is now
  • Time to unlearn what we think
  • Time to listen
  • Time to unlearn
  • Time to ask questions and be in inquiry
  • Time to gift within the world
  • Time to wake up
  • Time to be in touch not in story
  • Time to embody me / interbeing we – feel it all
  • It is the right time, so take responsibility
  • Time to (re)connect
  • Time to re-remember – what we came with, what we are here to do
The process (World Cafe) felt like a continuation. Check in was integral to World Cafe - the processes are intertwined. 
We were invited to practice some of the things we have learned, and more, by stepping up to co-host parts of the next days.
​And Village news is an important part of being together - what's happening for dinner, and what morning practice is on offer tomorrow - yoga, swimming in the ocean, aikido, meditation? Then we check-out for the day

Check-out – What has resonated for you?

  • ​We all come from different groups but all feel the same way … it’s really positive
  • It seems we just need to have more of these conversations
  • It is useful; some things to apply in my work but also value for me personally
  • Unlearning
  • To see and be seen
  • Connect and just be
  • Happy
  • Anchor in the four fold flow
  • Be hosted
  • Communion with like minded
  • Richness
  • Co-creation
  • Community
  • Deep connection
  • Authentic change
  • Making friends
  • Clarity
  • Revolution
  • Willingness of
  • A gentle coming together
  • Showing up

Day 1 meta-harvest, created by Heenal

​A vision of co-creation:
That’s where this all starts.
A more beautiful world is possible;
We know it in our hearts.
 
So we begin, we step in,
We check into the circle.
In the circle everyone’s equal:
No big, no small,
No bottom, no top.
The energy flows round,
It don’t stop.
The circle unites,
Turns on the floodlights,
Births real connection,
Not mere affection
But a real trust in each other.
We can heal with our sisters and brothers.
 
So here we are
At the mandala,
Chilling in the shala
Cos hosting is an art.
Together we can start
Living from the heart,
Coming together with authenticity,
Co-creating change, living in unity.
Representing many nations,
Many stations of life it’s true,
Everyone’s got a story or two
And we share them.
It doesn’t seem fair when
The bell sounds,
It’s time to switch around.
It feels so good to be listened to,
To really really be heard.
It feels so good to be the listener
And pay attention to every word.
 
And then, as we sit at our tables,
Hosting as best we’re able,
The magic flows,
Synchronicity grows,
We’re all heroes,
I hear echoes.
Over three rounds,
Though different backgrounds,
We hear the same sounds
In the foregrounds
Of our minds.
Through our daily grinds
We have the same finds,
We see the same signs:
With what is, we must be present
Even if it’s not pleasant.
Make friends with your shadow;
It’s the only way you grow.
Live your purpose, live your dream,
Together we can achieve it, as one team.
We bring it with us, everything we need;
We sit in circle and plant the seed.
Step into the conversation;
Step into what we all could be;
Step in, it’s our only salvation;
Step in, and we can all be free.
 
There’s much to unlearn
As we all turn
And face the rising sun,
One for all and all for one,
Beating the drum
Of a living system.
The world ain’t mechanistic:
That’s too simplistic.
We can self-organise
And truly thrive.
It’s happening now,
I can feel it somehow.
Out of chaos emerges order,
A world with no wants and no border.
Humanity can live in harmony,
We can be free,
All it takes is you and me.
 
The power’s within us,
Don’t you feel it?
We got the deal,
Just need to seal it.
Host and be hosted, that’s what it takes.
Get started now, so high are the stakes
Cos we have got a world to win.
And as I check out with a grin,
I bless all those who made this happen.
I can’t imagine all the work you’ve done.
Bless the earth with whom we are one.
Bless the sky, the moon and the sun.
 
A vision of co-creation:
That’s where this all starts.
A more beautiful world is possible;
We know it in our hearts.
Step into the conversation;
Step into what we all could be;
Step in, it’s our only salvation;
Step in, and we can all be free.

Heenal Rajani
"I thought I knew something about facilitation and yet already on Day 1 I’m so humbled to realize there’s so much more to Hosting. And Harvesting! So touched to realize just how much love and care has been poured into this circle coming together, and to learn a little of the co-creative process that has is already in motion before we even begin."
​                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          - Anna