Northwest
Profound Journey Dialog©
Report
October 30-31, 2009
Dumas Bay Centre, Seattle area, USA
a four-session meaning event
Session 1: Friday evening – Way Life Is
… dialog about real life and our relationship to mystery at its heart
Session 2: Saturday morning – Transforming Events and Story
… 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
… dialog about responsible decision-making
Session 4: Saturday evening – Big Context of Care
… dialog about living on behalf of
Dialog happens throughout, using small and large groups,
meal conversations, and individual reflection. Dialoging
about the deep dimensions of our journeys can be
exhilarating, intense, transforming, and celebrative.
Participant Endorsements
It was a blessed and liberating event to be surrounded by fellow global citizens on the profound journey.... More people need to be enlightened/awakened by such dialog and enter into the transformation of their lives. The PJD is a wonderful first step. ~Chenoa Stock, Joining Hands, Sri Lanka
I felt deeply welcomed by all who attended. I greatly appreciated the use of universal, inclusive language to communicate important truths about reality.
~Woody Pidcock, WA
The event creates a space to put stray thoughts together into a spaceship that can get us through the challenges of the twenty-first century ~Marijke Rijsberman, CA
If you can't imagine how dealing with the most profound aspects of your life can be enlivening, hilarious and full of the most surprising insights from the strangest collection of people, you definitely need to join the Profound Journey Dialog. ~Gordon Harper, WA
The Profound Journey Dialog provided wonderful respite and re-invigoration. Being on a journey of care alone leads to inevitable vocational fatigue. The PJD helpd to set the context anew for engagement and care for the world. ~Cheryl Hood, WA
If you are concerned about earth, the people and the creatures who live here, the PJD will kick off your thinking about how to approach the problems and how you can participate in solving them. ~anonymous
This PJD stimulated me to reflect upon my decisions and actions for committing my life to pioneering historical reform. ~Dave Thomas, WA
This event told the story of the "everyperson" journey, undergirded by the reality that life is a profound journey. It emphasized inclusion of life beyond just the human that is needed in our consciousness as we struggle with global and planetary issues. ~With gratitude, Jean Poole, WA
The PJD pointed to a picture of life's foundational dynamics and offered language that helps me enter into dialogue with others about our journey. I carried away hope for the future that can only come from being with others on the journey. ~anonymous
A twenty-first century inquiry into the profound journey we are all on. A secular statement and dialog on the key aspects of the journey that we grounded in our life experiences. ~Len Hockley, OR
It was a joy to converse in community with others who were willing to delve deeply into profound matters that affect our lives, our ideals and our universe. ~anonymous
This event has potential for reaching young adults to help them define their relationship to a greater power and find community where they can act out their care. ~Molly Shaw, WA
I became aware ... of new challenges and a cosmological contradiciton.... Through the PJD I have found new friends and old with whom to join together to build the Earth. ~Bill Norton, WA
Comments from Participants (from participation Evaluation Sheets/comments)
High Moments
• "transformative event and new story"
• "wrestling with 'freedom'"
• "on 'behalf of what' do we bow'"
• "stop those arrows going up and down!"
• "personal experience reflection writing and huddles"
• "lunch solitary reflection, each given Daily Spirit Journal book"
• "D. H. Lawrence poetry (got to get that book)"
• "meal conversations"
• "beginning context -- meaning is everywhere, all the time"
Where Participants Said They Were Most Deeply Addressed
• "struggling with freedom and acceptance"
• "how free am I?"
• "vocation of being out on the point"
• "writing personal reflections and sharing in huddles"
Appreciated
• "hearing the stories of each other"
• "the poetry was tremendous ... it created a journey in itself"
• "acceptance by leaders of diversity of dialog"
• "open interactions among thoughtful and articulate folk"
• "the four symbols on powerpoint and banners ... singing (more)"
• "much attention in preparation of participants' notebooks"
• "full but not crammed time design"
• "exercise, breaks, food, talks"
• "rehearshing the four symbols for memory's sake"
• "kinesthetic aspect of exercises"
• "huddles, huddles, huddles"
• "good preparation, good facility, good materials, committed participants, skilled leaders"
• "perspective and enthusiasm"
• "easy to grasp & understand"
• "developed some colleagues I can dialog with profoundly"
• "total rhythm of time together was good"
Why Recommend PJD
• "to wake up to the meaning in life"
• "will challenge and inform you ... new ways to relate to community and world"
• "saw that possibilities abound ... helped me to decide to engage"
• "very useful for someone contemplating a big change"
• "learning what others are doing on behalf of"
• "deep fun, enlivening ... perplexing"
• "a big context for your vocation"
• "everyone's journey is profound but often we're not aware of it"
• "helps us to reflect on our boundless obligation and limitless freedom"
• "recognize the importance of our caring for community, earth and universe"
• "have a chance to share your story"
• "for those looking for purpose and direction"
• "a place to discuss your journey -- a conversation worth having"
• "how to sustain selves as care for communities on earth for the long journey"
Sundry Comments
• "chance opportunities give us the courage to love others and ourselves and to risk our own sacred paradigm shifts"
• "a rare opportunity to review my journey in the context of 'the great work'"
• "visuals really are great ... thanks, Doug!"
• "as religions lose many who heard their stories, we still need a story"
• "'huddle' is a Thomas Berry word from The Universe Story"
35 Participants/Guides from 6 States, D.C., and 2 Countries
1. Edward (Bud) Ames (OR); 2. Janice Ames (OR); 3. Susan Ames (WA); 4. Bob Anderson (IA); 5. Terry Bergdall (IL); 6. John Cock (NC); 7. Lynda Cock (NC);
8. David Cunningham (WA); 9. Alan Gammel (WA); 10. Gordon Harper (WA); 11. Roxana Harper (WA); 12. Len Hockley (OR); 13. Phyllis Hockley (OR); 14. Cheryl Hood (WA); 15. Joy Huber (WA); 16. Dorothea Jewell (WA); 17. Marian Karpoff (WA); 18. Shannon Krueger (WA); 19. Terry Kyllo (WA); 20. George Lawson (WA); 21. William Norton (WA); 22. Mark Phillips (WA); 23. Woody Pidcock (WA); 24. Jean Poole (WA); 25. Marijke Rijsberman (CA); 26. Helen Robinson (WA); 27. Ron Robinson (WA); 28. Marie Sharp (DC); 29. Michael Shaw (WA); 30. Molly Shaw (WA); 31. Chenoa Stock (Sri Lanka); 32. Dave Thomas (WA); 33. David Tostenrude (WA); 34. Donna Ward (WA); 35. Edwin Waters (IL)
Profound Journey Dialog©
The Northwest PJD is the fifth Profound Journey Dialog. The first was held in Denver, September 2007; the second near Dubuque, September 2008; the third in the New York City metro, March 2009; and the fourth in Chicago, April 2009. Its primary source is a seminar of the Ecumenical Institute: Chicago/Institute of Cultural Affairs, shared with many thousands globally.
• NW PJD Coordinators: Alan Gammel and Molly Shaw, and a team of twelve
• NW PJD Guides: John Cock, Terry Bergdall, and Lynda Cock
"You should have a ritual for your life." ~Joseph Campbell "Profound Journey Dialog is a ritual for our lives." ~PJD Team
