Holiday Meeting (Thankfulness, Giving)

ONLINE MEETING (ZOOM)

Topic- Holiday get together

We haven't held a meeting in a while so figured an online get-together might be nice. Since a major theme of this group is expressing oneself and listening to others.

Two themes often associated with the holidays are thankfulness and giving. Let's take a look at the role that thankfulness (or gratitude) and giving play in your outlook and experience of the world or life.

What role does thankfulness and giving play in your worldview, and philosophy in life?

Please bring something to share, a thought, a point of view, a writing, a poem, a perspective, song, etc. If possible share how it relates to thankfulness or giving or to experiencing life as a gift.

Change in format:

The first hour or so of the group (topic portion) will now be actively facilitated. This change is as a result of the learning and difficulties encountered in previous meetings, and the realization of limitations imposed by being online (virtual).

Each person in attendance will get a chance to speak if he or she wants to. We will take turns speaking, each person speaks for approximately 2 minutes and then yields to the next speaker. The following speaker has a choice of whether to respond to the previous speaker or to express whatever he or she has to say. If responding to the previous speaker, she/he gets approx. 1 minute to do so. The previous speaker then gets 1 minute to respond back.

The second hour of the meeting is in an open format in which it is incumbent on each person and the group to self-monitor. If things get too lively we will remember that we are here to meet each other and to recognize what is shared is far greater than any temporary differences we encounter.

Group attendees have expressed as important:
-it's helpful to actively listen to each other,
-to listen to understand what is being said/meant.
-learn to be aware of one's own thinking as it is taking place.
-maintaining a sense of stillness, silence, or peacefulness within and amidst the happenings in the group.
-stating points of view in a kind manner whenever possible and when kindness is not possible then do so in the next most non-destructive way.
-see the other as a human being that is temporarily captured by their thinking rather than as a bad person ruining the group, dialogue or the world.
-one can say anything he or she wants to, but the choice not to be kind hurts both the giver and the receiver the same.
-recognize what happens when dialogue gets focused too much on any one individual and respond accordingly.
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***Please note that a major aspect of this group is to engage in dialogue not debate. In dialogue, there is an emphasis on listening to understand, in debate one listens to find flaws and to counter back to win or convince. In debate one defends, reaffirms and protects one's own point of view and thinking (assumptions, conclusions and/or beliefs) as fact and or truth. In dialogue we explore in these in open consideration. Additionally, an emphasis in this group is to be aware of one's own immediate and direct perception and experience. Thinking, narrative or knowledge considered to be "Facts" are welcome but not to be taken without checking in with one's own direct, immediate experience. This emphasis is meant to encourage one to go beyond a mere intellectual or conceptual "knowing", to a more holistic or healing awareness and experience. Freedom of thought and expression in an atmosphere or milieu of civility and kindness is valued greatly. There is no designated expert, no guru, no leader/facilitator per se. Diversity of perspective and opposing points of view are frequently expressed and the value of each person expressing their point of view is acknowledged.