Profound Journey DialogCherry Creek Hotel, Colorado Blvd.Denver, Colorado USASept. 28-9, 2007 Huddle:~report by Jean Long, coordinator (used by permission)
When I heard of the “Spirit Journey Retreat” held in Minnesota during February 2007, I decided we needed such an event in Denver. As we talked with John Cock from Greensboro, NC, who guided the Minnesota event, we decided to try something new: a four-session, non-religious event, but similar to the dynamics of “Spirit Journey Retreat.”
We came up with the title of “Profound Journey Dialog” and chose the date and enlisted the support of ICA in Denver, with the energetic help of director Anne Neal. Our team also included the help of Shirley Snelling, Catherine Welch, David Dunn, and worked for several months to pull it off. Recruitment went slowly at first, but by the last days we were at our forty person limit. As it turned out, we had thirty-seven attending: ages 14 to 90 (four generations), several participants in each decade in between; a few more females than males; those with church affiliation and as many without; many on the ToP training track, from trainer to apprentice; PhD’s and high school and college students; six who traveled from NYC, Chicago, and Iowa.
John and his wife, Lynda, who have had years of experience leading such events globally with the Ecumenical Institute and Institute of Cultural Affairs, led the “Profound Journey Dialog” (PJD). They called their role “designated guides.”
The content of the four sessions . . . I. Fri. 6-9:00pm – The Way Life Is:
dialog about real life and our relationship to mystery at its heart (one-page set of questions on Rudolf Bultmann's "Crisis of Faith")II. Sat. 8-Noon – Transforming Events & Story:
dialog about life-changing events and an empowering story to live by (one-page reading, "You Are Accepted," Paul Tillich)Sat. Noon-1:30 – Solitary Reflection (each given Daily Spirit Journal, v. I, John Cock)
III.Sat. 1:30-4pm – 100% Free:
dialog about responsible decision-making (one-page reading by Brian Stanfield on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "Freedom")IV.Sat. 5-8pm – The Big Context: dialog about living on "behalf of what?"
(one-page reading by John Cock on Thomas Berry's Befriending the Earth)The flow of each session . . .- Meal dialog . . . reflective conversations
- Contextual talk and dialog . . . with clarifying visual images
- Solitary dialog . . . reflecting on personal experiences re: the talk/reading
- Huddle dialog . . . sharing reflections with 5-6 (voted key by participants)
- Big group dialog . . . sharing the wisdom of the huddles
- Secular ritual dialog . . . celebrating the profound journey
The space was intimate with seven round tables and a front table, all with quotes, décor objects, and laminated daily blogs by John and Lynda; a roving art form table for larger décor; buffet in the back with better-than-usual food and service by an international staff; an Earth hanging; and selected music. After each session, four white clipboard sheets on the sticky board from the preceding session became wall décor – a large array of images that guided the final reflective conversation. David Dunn printed a 32-page folder.
John and Lynda’s guidance was outstanding, if not extraordinary.
Comments of many participants follow, which reflect the depth impact of the PJD on our lives. We will remember this event for years to come and will continue to draw upon the life-giving power it points to.
Great ladies:
Participant Written Endorsements
“If you are a seeker who is stuck in your seeking and sense it is time to step out onto the point to make a difference in the “great work” before us . . . the PJD may just call you into action.” ~Stanley Scott, conversation guide
“In a time when youth are having trouble finding a direction toward non-consumer driven ideals, the PJD opens our eyes to our possibilities as we accept our past and realize our future. Take hold of it now. My name is Lela Philbrook. I am a student. We are the future.”
“Anyone who yearns for deeper meaning and connection with people who can change the future for the better should attend a PJD.” ~Anne Neal, director, Institute for Consensus Action (ICA: Denver)
“This has been a beautiful opportunity to explore my life path deeply. . . . It prompted an awakening and inner peace I have never before experienced with such intensity.”
~Heather Aronson, small business owner
“A great weekend that provides toeholds for guiding our commitment to build a new earth.” ~Kay Townley
“The PJD opened us to profound events that transform our relationship to life, yet lead us to reflect on the significance of living in the crucible between past and future and on behalf of benefiting all living beings.” ~Eric Smith, mediator and apprentice ToP facilitator
“This is the ultimate ‘let’s get real and get going’ experience. People owe it to themselves to entertain these thoughts and share this experience. Humanity has some heavy lifting ahead. The PJD helps build spirit muscle.” ~David Dunn, writer, editor, desktop publisher
“This was an event all-too-rare in my life these days – the chance to share deeply and broadly – thinking about the BIG issues of life in the universe and our part in it all.” ~RosaLee Mitchell, personal coach/mentor
“The PJD was a wonderful opportunity to talk with old and new friends about the things that really matter in life: our limits and possibilities, the grace that transforms our lives, a process for discerning and making choices, and how we serve the world. ” ~Catherine Welch, occupational therapist
“It was amazing to see the excitement of all who made life-changing discoveries during the PJD.” ~Clarke Vestal, Presbyterian pastor
“This seminar was the most appropriate setting for secular folks with secular ideas to face issues and make decisions, which have previously and primarily been available in theological contexts. A dynamic and charged inter-generational event.” ~Clarence H. Snelling
“My time at the PJD provided a forum for intellectual and personal challenge and reflection. My increased awareness is preparation for stepping up into social/ environmental leadership. ~Nancy Banman, university social work faculty
“Good to be asked the really hard questions and hear the sharing from those who care. Goodness gracious, indeed.” ~Burna Dunn, teacher trainer
“I really enjoyed the interaction of this group, which allowed me to think about positive ideas. It gave me a better understanding of my past.” ~Ralph Stegeman, retired
“The PJD was an excellent way to learn more about yourself and to instill a desire to do more for the world.” ~Bob Morgan, retired consulting engineer
“Just as grace heals my fractured relationship to reality, so this PJD also helped put the pieces together.” ~Rebekah, student
“A great weekend seminar. RS-1 changed my approach to life quite a few years ago.
The PJD was a much needed boost. It made me understand that I am not alone in my deep concern about our world.” ~Wanda Long, grandmother, retired RN
“The PJD was one phenomenal event. For me, it was like a return to the tribe -- I felt a great strength & commonality.” ~Nancy Trask, library director
“Not only is this event truly enlightening and lovely, but so full of wisdom. (I was in shock after the first session.) These four sessions could in some way be the answer to all Earth’s problems.” ~Student
“The PJD event was wonderful and a helpful reminder of our heritage as well as providing me with some new understandings about my life.” ~Dr. Shirley Heckman Snelling
“An opportunity to reconnect to our humanity and what makes our life meaningful.”
~Consultant
“Learn more about your meaning and purpose in your journey in the universe. Listening and thrashing out ideas with others was a delightful experience. Warmth, sincerity and heart-felt kindness filled the air.” ~First-time participant
“This event reminded me that while at one level I’m NOT in charge, at all the other levels I’m totally in charge . . . of my decisions, my choice where I expend this one good life and why. Note that I came in having lost my sense of purpose and left having found my sense of humor. I will be okay.” ~Sunny Walker
“Many, many thanks for a great weekend. We both thoroughly appreciated the PJD. It brought back many memories and the depth of our experience during E.I. years, and the influence it has had on our 34 years since.” ~Mary and Hank Warren
“I felt this revised and secularized version of the ‘old course’ restored me to my theological roots. Thank you. It was also wonderful to hear comments from the 5-6 ‘second generation' participants.’” ~OliveAnn Slotta
Front:
From Participant Evaluation: “Why I would recommend such an event . . . ”
“Laughing with others. . . .”
“Great quotes, poetry, story telling.”
“It is the best and most salient program of adult education. . . . Excellent presentations.”
“Valuable at this point in my life.”
“Excellent, clear way of delivering the content.”
“The material is powerful and we (society) need it.”
“I had the best time. How could you not?”
“It gets right to the meaning.”
“Being pushed out of complacency to engage in meaningful ways.”
“Marvelous translation of theological constructs into secular language.”
“It helps people really move to a new place in their lives.”
“To hear ‘I am accepted’ dialogue. This event carries the same message and impact as original RS-I did.”
“The opportunity to do personal reflection and to be reminded that I am a ‘meaning-reliant mammal.’”
“Children of the first generation who took RS-I can have a similar profound experience.”
