WISDOM CIRCLE
Workshops need follow up if they are not to lose their effect. Once a week we hold a gathering of all those who have been involved in AVP, the aim being to strengthen their commitment to peace, and to provide new insights into ways of doing this. The Wisdom Circle is held in Kroonstad at municipal offices in Lesedi every Monday, at Tswelopele Library in Constantia every Tuesday, at Bodibeng High School every Wednesday, Phephetso High School every Thursday and at Matseripe High School in Ventersburg every Wednesday.
What happens at a Wisdom Circle?
After the welcome, we have a gathering, and it always has something to do with our experience of life, and we share this one person at a time as we go round the circle. Some examples are: What I do to build my self esteem. What I do to honour mother earth. One thing I plan to change in my lifestyle.
A period of Listening Prayer follows. We spend five minutes being totally quiet. We listen to our breathing, or to our heartbeat. This unites us deeply at the spiritual level and brings us into contact with the wisdom of the Universe.
Then we have a period of discussion around a wisdom topic. There are no debates or arguments, no sermons, and no attempt to make people think like I do. The purpose is to expand our wisdom, which is another way of saying that we are trying to get a deeper understanding of the meaning and purpose of life (the very life that is my being). Some examples of the wisdom topic: Life is made up of small things. Getting in touch with Mother Earth. The power of positive thinking.
In journal sharing we share the wonders of our life, maybe through a poem, a song, an experience, something I read somewhere, something I heard (radio, TV or wherever).
Then we have announcements. What are our plans for the next week or so.
Then comes a closing where we find a way of completing our gathering, and focusing on going out to spread the good news of life consciousness. Some examples of a closing. I put my hand out and say: This is what I learned from this Wisdom Circle. Someone puts a hand on mine and says what s/he learned. And so we build a pyramid. Another is the human chair and yet another is the Rainbow hug.
We finish off with refreshment (cool drink and biscuits) – a way of building a family.
WISDOM CELLS
our experience is that Wisdom Circles are becoming somewhat unmanageable, and so we have introduced the idea of Wisdom Cells
Here are some ideas on what the Wisdom Cell could be like:
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About ten members
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Meets once a week
Suggested programme
Welcome and gathering
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Listening prayer
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Wisdom topic
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Journal sharing
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My life in the last week. Chance to share problems and help each other.
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Poems, songs, quotations, interesting news
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Review of schoolwork. Who needs help in any subject?
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A look at our addictions, and what progress is being made.
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Any violence at school? What can we do?
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Light and lively
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Closing
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Refreshments. How do we organize this?
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Each cell appoints a coordinator whose work it may be to:
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Collect main topic
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Keep attendance register
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Write a brief report of meeting, or get someone to do it.
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Cell members invite new members.
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When the cell gets too big, it forms another cell.
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New members will want to do a workshop. At the monthly wisdom circle we can see how many want a workshop and this can be organized by the group.
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A central committee at a school could be made up of representatives from each Wisdom Cell.
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Wisdom circle once a month. All the cells meet together.
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The Wisdom circles of the district gather once a quarter for discussion, games, celebration.
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When someone leaves s/he can start a wisdom cell wherever they are, at the university or technicon or workplace
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