My love of conversation as a way to spark transformation began back in the 80’s when I was training to be a Gestalt therapist. I found it deeply thrilling that a conversation could start “over here” and end up “over there” and in the process became an adventure stirring my whole being into new awareness and insights. In these powerful experiential groups I also discovered that my individual story is just one facet of a much bigger human story in which we are all evolving together. This realisation lifted me out of a lonely state of separation and began to shake the structures of my egoic mind and release me into a more soulful, interconnected consciousness.
Later, with my co-creative partner, Woods Elliott, we developed the art of Deep Discovery together and used it to explore whatever was emerging at the growing edge of our conscious awareness, including insights into the nature of consciousness itself; the inner and relationship conflicts blocking our creative process; our responses to global events or new cultural ideas; and creative possibilities in our transformational work of co-creating a whole new world. With the Heart Politics movement in New Zealand I participated in an inquiry group as big as 40, over 8 days – a process I found very exciting. I learned that, what I call Deep Discovery, is one of many similar practices emerging over the last two or three decades invented by thought leaders such as David Bohm (dialogue); Peter Senge, Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworski and Betty Sue Flowers (presencing and Theory U); Arnold Mindell (deep democracy); Craig Hamilton (the “we space”); Tom Atlee (co-intelligence); and many others.
I started to evolve my own way of practicing Deep Discovery Conversations in a group 22 years ago. At the beginning I didn’t really know what I was doing but I did know that when a group of people come together with the intention to speak from presence and to discover something new, magic happens, and there were other people hungry for this magic. In the videos below I speak of Soul Sanctuary Circles, a name I have used in the past .
When Woods died in 2015 I wrote, Deep Discovery Conversations, Awakening Community Wisdom for a New Era, as a guidebook for the group experiences I offer now. Simple essential attitudes and skills enable deep, exploratory, creatively inspired conversations and provide the foundation for building a new whole-person, whole-system culture.
I invite you to join me in Tribe in Transition for these monthly Deep Discovery Conversations. And if you share some of my excitement you might be interested in my 10-day Deep Discovery Conversations Training.
Deep Discovery Conversation Circles bring people together in a safe, contained intentional space and invite you to speak from your deepest wisdom. As we explore our experiences of being in transition to living from our wholeness we create a bigger energy field together and a shared story. We realise we are a wave of consciousness evolving.
How is this different to a therapy or coaching group?
Psychotherapy and coaching groups tend to be more focused on individual healing and helping the individual to move through creative blocks. While the Deep Discovery Conversation can be deeply healing, the emphasis is more on the discovery of a common language to describe our inner experiences of transition and transformation. The role of the facilitator in a Deep Discovery Conversation Circle is to hold the space; to seed the culture and to participate as an equal. The central understanding here is that each of us has all the answers we need within us and when we speak from our deepest wisdom we co-create a bigger truth or depth of field together. The transformation lies in speaking from your authentic truth and being respectfully held, heard and witnessed and in listening deeply to others in such a way that we connect with our common humanity.
In a Deep Discovery Circle we speak from the part of us that is most alive, awakened and creative. We co-create a bigger energy field charged with the energy of creation and inspiration. We touch the place where we are all connected and in a state of wholeness.
What do you mean by the Transition to Wholeness?
One aspect of wholeness is having all the resources of the creative process available. In our culture we have been taught to value doing over being; action over receptivity; communication over silence; being an expert over not knowing. Making the transition to valuing all aspects of the self may be confusing and uncomfortable at times as well as liberating and exciting. When we come together for deep discovery we find a deeper connection to our authentic needs and truth and become more skilled at using the full repertoire of being human.
Why do you call it a Deep Discovery Conversation Circle?
My intention is to co-create a space with you to nurture and share our soul’s wisdom. An oasis, a watering hole, a place to step out of the demands of time and renew yourself. In a Circle, everyone is equally important, everyone holds a unique facet of the truth; we are each a vital part of a bigger whole. When we come together with the intention for discovery we open to receiving our deepest wisdom, healing and creative inspiration.
How might you benefit by participating in a Deep Discovery Conversation Circle?
I’ve had people from late teens right through to their 90’s in my Deep Discovery Conversation Circles. Most of them have been following a hunger for a space where they can express themselves authentically, where they can feel their whole self is welcome. These spaces are like watering holes in the desert which may satisfy a thirst for deep connection you didn’t even know you had.
Join the next Deep Discovery Conversation Circle Here
Guidelines for the Deep Discovery Conversation Circle
1. Explore a monthly theme. When you sign up for the Circle you will be sent some stimulus materials – this may be an e-book or some recorded conversations. These are intended to get you thinking about your own experiences and focus reflections related to the theme. I hope these will inspire you but please don’t stress thinking you have to get through all the materials before the call. The conversations work best when you stay close to your excitement.
2. Come into presence. At the beginning of the Circle we will do a short guided meditation together. This will help you to empty your mind and to become present, open, receptive and grounded in the body, so that you have all your resources available.
3. Hold the intention for discovery. We lift the Deep Discovery Conversation Circle from an ordinary conversation into a special experience when we hold the intention to discover something new. This opens the way for going beyond what we already know and revealing something fresh. I call this living from our growing edge – the space where the known meets the unknown.
4. Identify your own vital questions . The discovery process unfolds when we are each vitally engaged with the theme. When you are contemplating the month’s theme, ask, “How is this alive for me? What questions am I exploring in my life in relation to this theme? Where is the most excitement for me in relation to this?”
5. Speak from your deepest wisdom and your authentic self. During the conversation each person is invited to speak one at a time for a few minutes and to speak from your deepest wisdom and your authentic truth. This works best when you don’t rehearse what you want to say but trust the process and make a space for the truth to come through you.
6. Listen deeply to self and others. Listen especially for what others say that inspires and touches you and when you begin your share start with one thing the previous speaker has said that inspired you before you go on to explore your own questions. This builds connection and group unity. There is room for differences but we approach differences with curiosity rather than with a need to be right or to convince others of our truth.
7. Practice Beginner’s Mind. If all of this sounds a bit scary don’t worry! You could see these deep discovery conversations as a practice, rather like meditation practice. Each session is an experiment and the more often you participate the more confident you become. It’s not about performing or “getting it right”. It’s most helpful to maintain an attitude of curiosity and to approach the conversation as an adventure.
When everyone has spoken, if there is time, we may end with a more free-flowing exchange. Followed by a few minutes more of coming together in presence.