Community

The community space I envision would be a multi-leveled, hybrid online/in-person platform.

No memes, no ads, just down-to-earth honest sharing. I have already vetted the tech tools for it.

The part that is free will be for people who just want to show up at a ceremony once in a while. Beyond that, there will be a minimal monthly fee depending upon what you want to be involved in (practice-specific forums, ceremony-crafting, etc). This way, you know that the people you are trying to connect with have a certain level of commitment and I am not giving away my talents and skills for free as I previously did to my own detriment.

Teachers will have an opportunity to present online courses through the platform. Once there are enough paying members in the community, base courses can be offered for free.

In order to be in the community there will be required participation. It might be just a weekly posting in a forum. It might be attending 1-2 community ceremonies per year. It might be participating in the design and organizing of the community events. There will be no spectators beyond the free space/courtyard of our sovereign domain.

I have been recently inspired by a book called The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles Vogl.

What inspires me is the deep wisdom and reasoning behind having different degrees of circles in a community. It is not meant to keep anyone out. Instead, it is to keep everyone safe. Each doorway is open to all who are willing to learn the skills  and take on the responsibilities required. This way, all who have crossed the threshold are safe from having their practices misunderstood, watered down or impinged upon by those who do not speak the same language.

 

The majority of the community lies in the inner circle, embraced by others who have taken on more responsibility. The outer circle is where the tenders walk, keeping the center safe and supporting our collective flow and growth. Tenders do not look away or create exclusive pockets. They face inwards, always attentive to the whole. The path of the tender is to learn the art of caring for community. The further out from the center, the deeper the calling and greater the commitment.