THE LIVING SCHOOL, PART TWO: LUCKY SEVEN
Part Two of My Recent Living School Symposium Experience + 3 Podcasts Worth Sharing From The Living School Faculty
Last week I shared how it came to be that I made my way to Richard Rohr’s The Living School. You can read Part One of the story HERE if you missed it.
PART TWO: LUCKY SEVEN CIRCLE GROUP
As part of our Living School experience, we were placed into Circle Groups to have companions as we move through the 2-year experience and curriculum. Since we were Circle Group #7, one of our members dubbed us ‘The Lucky 7.”
For the past year and a half, our Circle Group process has been confined to meeting online on alternate Monday evenings. We take turns reflecting upon the ‘matters on our hearts '‘ and what we are learning, questioning, receiving, and releasing. The Circle Group process is one in which deep listening, respect, and silence play just as important a role as speaking.
As challenging as it was for us as strangers to create the necessary intimacy needed to share authentically and vulnerably with each other via Zoom, we continued to show up for each other and incrementally create the emotional scaffolding that supported our Circle coherence. Had it not been for the limitations of Covid, we would have been together in person several times by now as part of The Living School process.
As grateful as we all were to be able to be connected via Zoom, our “family reunion” in person in Albuquerque last week was a joy-fest. To say that our first gathering in person was a sweet and meaningful reunion is an understatement. Our scaffolding quickly transformed into strong pillars of connection. Suddenly we could be in the same space, hug one another, and be fully present. Most everyone knows the powerful feeling or connection that arises following the separation from friends and family due to Covid. It’s glorious.
Only one of our eight members couldn’t attend in person due to illness, and we missed her terribly but kept her present with us via Zoom as we were able, and in our hearts throughout the week. Another member had to return to a family member currently in hospice, but we were able to spend a day or so with him before he returned to his family.
And now, get ready for a decent-sized photo dump. It’s the best way to share this story with you.
Because we’d been separated for so long, we decided to intentionally share the experience of the symposium as fully as possible. Dave found us a wonderful Air B&B so that we could stay together instead of in separate hotel rooms.
We shared most of our meals. Sami found us some of the best spots for dinner and we sampled a wide variety of what ABQ had to offer.
Most often we piled into Sami’s car… ( thanks again, Sami)
…and sometimes, when we needed additional seats or were headed to different places, Dave would drive his van and I bobbed around in the back, seated on his ice chest.
We used the precious time we had to build memories to carry us through the second year of The Living School. In addition to the symposium, staying together and sharing most meals, we also shared the experience of visiting the CAC campuses and the CAC bookstore.
Our final shared meal was after the beautiful sending ceremony for Cohort 2022.
I bought a “7” tile (seen below) in ABQ and it now is a part of one of my sacred spaces at home. The process of our spiritual evolution was never intended to be done in isolation or alone. I am lucky to be amongst such beautiful community. Lucky and grateful indeed.
3 PODCASTS WORTH SHARING:
ANOTHER NAME FOR EVERYTHING. I listened to this podcast almost every night of 2020. Father Richard, Brie Stoner, and Paul Swanson helped get me through that difficult year.
TURNING TO THE MYSTICS. I adore Jim Finley. I find great comfort in his words and his soothing delivery.
3. THE COSMIC WE “goes beyond race and racism to consider relatedness as the organizing principle of the universe, exploring our shared cosmic origins though a cultural lens that fuses science, mysticism, spirituality, and the creative arts.” Dr. Holmes was new to me until The Living School and I am deeply grateful to have found her work.
Have a beautiful week, friends. Go in Great Love!
xoxo Mary
Thanks Mary for sharing your experience and photographs! I'm happy your Circle Group got to be with each other in body!