Here is a letter penned and posted to Crow’s Nest Community on June 28, with word about the upcoming programs “Immersion to Shamanic Life and Practice“, fondly called the Intensive by Nesters. What does community planning look like at Crow’s Nest Center USA? There is truth in a picture of pen and paper wielded by eager, innovative minds. But eight of us began in early June greeting the directions, and our first “doing” was not planning per se. We struck poses around the fire, making shapes with our bodies responding to Compassion, Communication, Coordination. With various expressions, we embodied community as a moving circle. A fire is not necessary (although fun!) to give this a try. The process is pretty simple. Just stand up and do what comes naturally — facial expression, movement, sound. Take separate turns. Consider the focus or energy for each word: Compassion, aligned with the heart; Communication, with the voice or throat; Coordination, with intuition or third sight. Experience as a community organizer has taught me a lesson: the task of community planning is not simply — or even mainly — one of the mind, but equally — or even more so — of heart and spirit. Especially as spiritual community, starting with and returning to our heart-soul connection is essential in spinning a strong, stunning web. I carry such a vision in my new role at Crow’s Nest Center USA as Community Coordinator, which began in 2014. Over the past year, “dream” meetings imagined ways for Nesters to share gifts or talents while serving community needs. These expressions have taken varied shapes in recent workshops. The “body” of community is striking poses, so to speak, through these experiments. Undoubtedly, we are learning on the curve! Or better said, in a circle. The web we weave is not a work of one or the few, but of the many. As with “turn-sharing” by planners around the fire a few weeks ago, Nesters are spinning with beauty and strength. Like donations and volunteers finalizing roof repairs on the grounds! Such “movements” embody a community of compassion, communication, and coordination. When invited, sight of the heart-soul guides the mind’s eye and inspires the body to move. On the practical side, preparations for July’s intensive program are well “spun”. I call attention to new “turn-sharing” in the experiment with Teams for returning Nesters: the former sign-up for tasks now focuses on Team participation. Choosing a primary Team for service means direct communication among one another and self-organizing roles. So, rather than one or a few people monitoring task sign-up, Teams will keep track of their own schedules. In closing, it is my expressed wish and goal at the upcoming program to visit with fellow Nesters! I am eager to hear your feedback, inspirations, questions, and the like about the USA community. Also, getting to know you better or reconnecting after time apart is most welcome at my end. Thanks so much for spinning this community into a strong, stunning web. Warm wishes and blessings! Melissa Dey Hasbrook explores the creative and healing arts from her home base in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her work is shared online at http://deyofthephoenix.com.
Community Corner – Striking Poses and Spinning Threads
