Chicago
Profound Journey Dialog©
Report
April 24-25, 2009
ICA Conference Center, Chicago
a four-session dialog about our profound journeys
Session 1: Friday evening – Way Life Is (WLI)
… dialog about real life and our relationship to mystery at its heart
Session 2: Saturday morning – Transforming Events and Story (TES)
… dialog about life-changing events and an empowering story to live by
... luncheon solitary reflection with a Daily Spirit Journal volume
Session 3: Saturday afternoon – Responsible Freedom (ROF)
… dialog about responsible decision-making
Session 4: Saturday evening – Big Context of Care (BOW)
… dialog about living on behalf of
Personal, small-group, and total group dialog happens throughout the four sessions, using multiple methods. Dialoging about the deep dimensions of our journeys can be exhilarating, intense, transforming, and celebrative.Flow of Each Session
Meal dialog … journey conversations Foundation talk … each with a journey symbolWisdom page … for reflection and dialogProfound exercise … physical exercise with a plusPersonal grounding … written personal experiences Huddle dialog … with 6 participants at each tableGroup musing … sharing the wisdom of the huddles Secular ritual … celebrating the profound journeyParticipant Endorsements
The PJD is great! All humans should attend! It will make the world a better place. I learned through both the small and large groups, writing my reflections, reading the papers, and listening to the talks. I especially got a lot out of the discussion about ROF [responsibility/obligation/ freedom]. Eventually, I would like to lead a PJD. ~Leah Otto, 14-year-old student, Chicago, IL
Great event for life planning -- for vocational choices or re-focusing one's engergies. Facilitators use wisdom, poetry, papers to motivate sharing and creativity. All become life coaches for selves and others. ~anonymous
This PJD -- a refreshment of the RS-I vocational seminar that has stirred my passion for nearly forty years -- has goaded me to think about how to implement new aspects of my engagement now. ~Harold Slater, parish pastor, Reese, MI
I enjoyed all aspects of the PJD.... It gives insight and courage to engage with the remainder of my life's path. ~Harrison Means, professor, Omaha, NE
This event is a deeper look into ... how we relate to ourselves on a spectrum of levels: from the insight into the deepest caves of our hearts to the most vast plans of community, the earth and the universe. ~anonymous
The PJD renewed and refreshed me once again, allowing me to focus on vocation and mission. I was grateful for the preparation and care by the whole staff for us the participants. ~Ed Feldmanis, therapist, Chicago, IL
My 20-year-old daughter says the PJD she attended seven months ago should be required in every college and university. I wholly agree. ~Nancy Trask, library director, Winterset, IA
The way life is doesn't have to be disempowering because of my obligations. But rather I can be empowered by acceptance and my choice to be responsible. ~anonymous
If you are younger, you'll get a lot out of the PJD. I'm 13 and was able to stay awake (smiley face). It was relaxing and understandable. I especially liked the huddles. The PJD introduces you to things you don't normally talk about. I met new people and learned about the way life is and am ready to make new choices. ~Nadia Loeppke, student, Dubuque, IA
This weekend helped us explore our life experiences ... and grasp their meaning. It enabled us to make new decisions about our purpose when we go back to our homes and our work. ~Walter Kargus III, consultant, Plymouth, IL
The PJD blends together the passion and commitment of people who care and focuses that into a new dimension. ~anonymous
Comments from Participants (from participation Evaluation Sheets)
Most Meaningful Sessions (by participant show of hands):
• Session 1 -- Way Life Is: 6
• Session 2 -- Transformative Event and Story: 12
• Session3 -- Responsiblity, Obligation, Freedom: 8
• Session 4 -- On Behalf of What: 9
Do Not Want to Forget:
• inspiration of others' fascinating journeys
• meaning is everywhere -- always now
High Moments:
• "4 wisdom pages"
• "session 2 on grace"
• "session 2 huddle and lunch solitary reflection, using daily journal book"
• "hearing the appreciative reaction of those who have no RS-I history"
• "facilitated conversations"
• "realizing the way life is"
• "heavy discussion on freedom during session 3"
• "writing about my personal experiences"
• "meal conversations"
• "beginning and ending"
Where Participants Most Engaged (most said personal reflection/huddle sharing):
• "in my huddle where participants grounded and shared life-changing events"
• "naming the arrows (session 1) and grace events (session 2)"
• "contexual talks and wisdom pages"
• "creating new groups each session"
• "during contextual conversations, e.g., session 3"
Where Participants Most Addressed:
• "presentations and the big group dialog after huddles"
• "personal reflection sheets and huddle sharing"
• "the number of grace happpenings in their lives"
• "the event and story relative to separation"
Appreciated:
• "so moved by the overflowing wisdom people willingly shared"
• "use of technology in talks"
• "images and posters that helped us see the flow and remember"
• "age diversity, care put into construct, the leadership"
• "after 40 years the PJD dynamics still addressing lives"
• "PowerPoint, wall banners, workbooks"
• "exercise, breaks, food, short talks"
• "vision for helping people"
• "continuity, wisdom, and spirit"
• "variety of time design"
• "pace of 4 sessions was great"
• "meeting so many good people"
• "humor, quotes, poetry"
• "care for us as individuals by the guides"
• "good interactive, participatory engagement"
• "relaxed, time to get to know each other, ample breaks"
• "Thomas Berry wisdom page and rhythm of the sessions"
• "PJD mission and trying to move it forward"
• "Thomas Berry's relevance to our journeys
• "still accepted"
• "moments of applause"
• "songs"
• "ICA staff"
• "contextual talks -- short and honed"
• "great to ground through personal experiences, then share and get feedback"
• "social exchanges"
• "receiving the lapel pen with the session 4 symbol at the end"
About Total Event:
• "very affirmative"
• "entirely positive"
• "great life rehearsal"
• "uplifting"
• "great use of my time -- very rewarding"
• "held together well"
• "smooth and varied"
Why Recommend PJD:
• "insightful about how to live your life"
• "help bring focus to your life and vocation"
• "gives one a handle on reality and speaking one's truth"
• "it's about where people are really struggling today"
• "most lead lives of quiet desperation with no idea as to why"
• "connects the emotional, intellectual, and intuitional into operating vision"
• "because so many are looking for meaning"
• "for those looking for purpose and direction"
• "everyone needs to bring consciousness of consciousness into their lives"
• "mulling over your life future"
• "deep reflection"
• "class on the way life is"
• "sharing life experience"
• "exploring profundity"
• "diverse conversation"
• "always rewarding to have the uncommon conversation"
• "weekend helped me give voice to some new possibilities"
• "positive, encouraging, empowering"
• "sustenance for ongoing doing"
Sundry comments:
• "the four universal truths are still powerful and flow well into each other"
• "work Thomas Berry paper in more"
• "include more talk about community building"
• "make the participatory presentations like session 1"
• "atmosphere welcomed open dialogue"
• "need more practice using the PowerPoint during talks"
• "suggest end each session with the question you will answer in next session"
• "PJD appeals to the spiritual hunger in a non-religious way"
• "I liked the quote: 'grace is not dependent on religion'"
37 Participants/Guides from 9 States and 3 Countries
1. Andrea Beacham (IA); 2. Dendera Bell (IL); 3. Pamela Bergdall (IL); 4. Craig Brummel (MI) 5. Lynda Cock (NC); 6. John Cock (NC); 7. Jean Darling (IL); 8. Meg Denman-Vermillion (WI); 9. Doug Druckenmiller (IA); 10. Pat Druckenmiller (IA); 11. Ed Feldmanis (IL); 12. Cheryl Fitzpatrick (IL); 13. Bob Ford (IL); 14. Alan Gammel (WA); 15. Jack Gilles (MEX); 16. Judy Gilles (MEX); 17. Walter Kargus (IL); 18. Larry Loeppke (IA); 19. Nadia Loeppke (IA); 20. Harrison Means (NE); 21. Angela Melton (OH); 22. Brady Melton (OH); 23. Emma Melton (OH); 24. Leah Otto (IL); 25. Gina Pemberton (IA); 26. Lela Philbrook (IL); 27. Marge Philbrook (IL); 28. Robert Rafos (CAN); 29. Sandra Rafos (CAN); 30. Karen Sims (IL); 31. Harold Slater (MI); 32. Karen Snyder (IL); 33. Nino Tillman (IL); 34. Sheri Tillman (IL); 35. Nancy Trask (IA); 36. David Vermillion (WI); 37. Virginia Williams (IL)
Coordinator/Guide Comments
The Chicago PJD is the fourth Profound Journey Dialog, the first held in Denver, September 2007, the second near Dubuque, September 2008, the third in the New York City metro, March 2009. Its primary source is a seminar of the Ecumenical Institute: Chicago/Institute of Cultural Affairs, created in the 1960’s and taught to thousands globally.
Each participant worked from a printed 30-page workbook. The meeting space at the ICA-USA Conference Center was intimate with six extra-large round tables, all with quotes, décor objects, and daily reflection cards; a front art form table; an Earth hanging; interlude slides and selected music. After each session, the final slide of the PowerPoint presentation, in 5’X4’ banner form, became the wall décor -- an array of images and symbols that guided the journey dialog.
• Chicago PJD Coordinators: Lynda Cock, Marge Philbrook, and staff from ICA
• Chicago PJD Guides: John and Lynda Cock; Pat Druckenmiller; Nancy Trask; Larry Loeppke
PJD Team Meeting
27 persons who have participated in at least one PJD, including the Chicago PJD, met on Sunday morning to evaluate the first four PJDs (Phase I) and to plan Phase II. John Cock, Doug Druckenmiller, and Terry Bergdall facilitated the meeting. Some ten events are being considered.
