“All that we are is story. From the moment we are born to the time we continue on our spirit journey, we are involved in the creation of the story of our time here… What comes to matter then is the creation of the best possible story we can while we’re here; you, me, us, together. When we can do that and we take the time to share those stories with each other, we get bigger inside, we see each other, we recognize our kinship – we change the world, one story at a time…” Richard Wagamese
Kinship is an indigenous concept that places relatedness at the center of worldview. Kinship recognizes the connection of all, our place as a participant in reciprocal relationship with All of creation rather than a dominant force with an insatiable appetite for consumption.
Kinship Circles provide the context to embody respectful and reciprocal relationship, a place of support, reflection, and exploration. In the Circle we move from head to heart as we learn to listen and speak, as we are seen and heard. We share primarily through story rather than concept. We take ownership of our voice by using I statements. We practice respect and responsibility in our agreements and confidentiality. We offer vulnerability and take accountability.
The Circle has been the essential structure of most indigenous cultures. The circle council has been the structure for a governance that listens to the collective voice. It continues to be foundational for personal growth and community building. The Circle provides the context for self discovery and collaborative efforts, providing a mirror and sounding board as we share our journey.
After decades of exploration in community building, I clearly recognize the personal and collective affect of our conditioning and the roots of dysfunction in western civilization. The result is a collective consciousness that is disconnected from the nature of our humanity and the earth that sustains us.
The clues I have to finding our way forward is in the language of the recovery movement. We need to recognize and embrace our personal and collective condition, let go of our attempts to control the uncontrollable, seek healing for our personal and collective trauma, make amends for our wrongs and find forgiveness for ourselves and others, and watch for the miracle of healing and transformation that returns us to the wholeness of our humanity and the wellbeing of all creation.
In Kinship Circles, we nurture an environment conducive to the growth of a culture capable of leavening the bread of the Kin-dom of Heaven.