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Sustaining Resistance, Empowering Renewal: Tools for Effective and Sustainable Activism (Devon: June 2014))

 A notice from our friends at Seeds for Change...


Sustaining Resistance, Empowering Renewal: Tools for Effective and Sustainable Activism (Devon)
  

A 9 day residential workshop in rural Devon, 17th-26th June 2014

 

This workshop offers personal and collective tools to make our activism more effective. It offers space to reflect and analyse, helping us to stay in it for the long haul, create personal sustainability and bring continuity to our movement building. The workshop aims to help us stay inspired, nourished, empowered and creative. It aims to help ensure the collective dimensions of our activism exemplify the values we struggle for.

The workshop will use ecological/systems thinking, radical analysis and participatory learning methods to help explore our activism and how we can create strong social movements. It offers practical methods for engaging in the inner work that underpins effective social change work. The workshop venue, on the edge of Dartmoor, provides ideal conditions for reflection, healing and renewal.

The course is offered by the ecodharma collective (www.ecodharma.com) and Seeds for Change (www.seedsforchange.org.uk).
Bursaries may be available. Places are limited.

Application deadline: 3rd March 2014. For more information or an application form please call 01865 403 134 or email:  Kathryn [AT] seedsforchange.org.uk

Register Now! Permaculture Intro Course (Oxfordshire): Sat May 10th 2014

We live in times that require the building of wholesome and resilient alternatives. Permaculture is a way of supporting us to do just that. 

We are delighted to publicise the following course which takes place at Willowbrook Organic Farm in Oxfordshire in May 2014.

Learn Principles for Sustainable Living 

& Regenerating the Earth & Communities:

 

INTRODUCTION  TO PERMACULTURE: ONE-DAY COURSE 

Organised by 'Routes of Wholeness', at Willowbrook Organic Farm in Oxfordshire. 

This is an introductory day that promises to be fun, educational and transformative! There will be opportunities for networking with other course participants.

Venue: Willowbrook Organic Farm, Hampton Gay, Oxfordshire.
Date:: Saturday May 10th 2014
Times: 10am-6pm
(Advance Booking Only: see link below)

Permaculture is a practical system for sustainable living, based on observing principles and patterns in nature. By maximising relationships in living systems, permaculture has empowered people worldwide to develop dynamic, resilient projects that work with nature, rather than against it. Whatever scale or aspect of human living, whether the home and garden,  community or congregation space, or one’s own life and career, permaculture can be applied to each situation.

This interactive taster day will introduce you to some of the fundamental tools and principles that can be used to design sustainable, resilient projects.

The course content will include:

• What is permaculture?
• Introduction to permaculture ethics and principles
• Nature observation
• Social permaculture
• Permaculture as a design system
• Applying permaculture
• Next steps

Course Tutors: Muzammal Hussain & Shumaisa Khan (Routes of Wholeness)

Course fees  £55 standard rate / £45 concessionary rate
(Advance Bookings Only)

Food: Teas will be provided; Participants will need to bring a packed lunch/any snacks.

Visit 'Routes of Wholeness' for More info / to Book: www.routesofwholeness.org

To support a rich learning space, we are limiting participant numbers to a small group size. If you know you want to participate on the course, we recommend you book as soon as possible in order to secure your place. 

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Diversity & Oppression in Grassroots Organising (Buckinghamshire & Leeds)

Weekend workshops from Seeds for Change 

15th - 17th November (Buckinghamshire, 25mins from London)
28th Feb - 2nd March (Leeds)

"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time; but if you are here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." Lila Watson

Social movements in Britain have long talked about being inclusive, anti-oppressive, diverse and non-hierarchical. However, many people who would be part of a strong and diverse movement are currently marginalised, while others aren't yet aware of how their behaviour can exclude others.

Seeds for Change is running two residential, weekend workshops in beautiful locations to explore power with grassroots organisers in the UK. Throughout the weekend, participants will explore questions regarding their own use of power: How we might exclude others or be excluded, and how we can use our power to strengthen the social movements we are part of. It is for people involved in groups working for social change: it is both for those who don't feel totally welcome in the groups they are part of, as well as those who do.

There are limited spaces on the workshop, and we expect it to fill up fast, so please email us oxford [AT] seedsforchange.org.uk (replace [AT] with @ ) asking for an application form asap. The weekend costs £50, which covers food and accommodation. We have some full bursaries and some part bursaries, so please don't let cost put you off – email us and we'll do what we can to make it possible for you to come.

There are two workshop dates, one in the North, one in the South.

In the South...
6pm Friday 15^th – 3pm Sunday 17^th November 2013, Buckinghamshire. 25 minutes on the train from London

In the North...
6pm Friday 28^th February – 4pm Sunday 2^nd March 2014, Leeds


We look forward to hearing from you,

Hannah, Kathryn and Richard

-- 
01865 403134
www.seedsforchange.org.uk 

London Permaculture Festival 2013: Our stall & workshop experience...

...A really fulfilling day at the London Permaculture festival yesterday, with many good conversations and connections around the stall. 

The workshop we facilitated titled Islam, Sufism & the Permaculture Approach was more popular than expected, with well over 60 people participating. 

After a short introduction, I invited the participants to introduce themselves to each other in pairs; we then had some zhikr with light percussion followed by a short period of silence; and we then explored relations between the self/individual, the community, nature, the economy, and the Divine all from an Islamic perspective. The photos is of the flipchart which captures key ideas shared by the group.


We then reflected together on the key emphasis/qualities of Sufism in relation to Islam (a BIG question!). 

We then considered how the permaculture ethics (earth care, people care and fair shares) as well as several permaculture principles and a Permaculture placement tool relate to Islam & Sufism

The participants comprised a good handful of Muslims dotted around the room amongst people of diverse beliefs. The diversity helped draw out a number of key themes that enriched the sharing. There were wonderful contributions, and much learning for all of us. 

Gratitude to all who attended, and to the organisers of the wonderful festival.

We look forward to further collaborations with at least some of the wonderful people we connected with...

Running Great Workshops (Sept 2013, Oxford).

 From our friends at Seeds for Change...

Running Great Workshops
13th-15th September 2013
Venue: Oxford

Friday 13th (7-10pm) Saturday 14th (10-6pm) Sunday 15th (10-4pm)
Learning from each other is a building block of successful social
movements. By sharing our skills and knowledge we make our groups stronger and healthier.

This weekend course will help you develop the skills and confidence to design and facilitate engaging, participatory and fun workshops. From guerilla gardening to writing a press release, from mass catering to working in affinity groups, if you have a skill that social movements need, come to this workshop to learn how to share it. If you're a grassroots activist and you'd like to run workshops to help others learn, this is for you.

In the workshop you will get the chance to:

  * develop skills and confidence to facilitate good learning
  * understand how people learn and design a workshop plan
  * prepare and facilitate a short workshop session and receive
    constructive feedback from other participants & the workshop
    facilitators.

The workshop is free for grassroots activists. If you're coming from a funded organisation, places cost from £125 (depending on your organisation's turnover). Food will be vegan and will cost £20 for the weekend. We can provide crash space for those who need it.

Places are limited to a maximum of 16 participants. There is an application process and the deadline for applications is Thursday 15th August.

If you want to find out more or for an application form please contact oxford_AT_seedsforchange.org.uk (replace the _AT_ with @) or call 01865 403 134.

Best wishes,

Richard & Kathryn
Seeds for Change Oxford
01865 403134
www.seedsforchange.org.uk

Islam, Sufism & the Permaculture Approach: @ LondonPermacultureFestival: Sun 14th July 2013

Wisdom In Nature invites you to:

ISLAM, SUFISM & THE PERMACULTURE APPROACH

A workshop at the London Permaculture Festival

Date: Sunday 14th July 2013

Time: Workshop: 3pm-3.50pm; London Permaculture Festival: 11am-7pm

Venue: Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Rd, Camden , London, NW1 7AY. Getting there/Map: Click here 

Much could be said about the relationship between these three perspectives. This short workshop will be but a little dip! While we may adapt according to numbers of people and our sense of what is needed, the intended theme will be: 'Relationship', and how this is at the heart of Islam, Sufism and Permaculture. We hope to also include some Sufi chanting (optional participation), and sharing.

Workshop Facilitators: Shumaisa Khan (WIN) & Muzammal Hussain (WIN)

Also a chance to find out more about the work of Wisdom In Nature and ways of collaborating.

Cost:  £5 / £4 concs (u18's free) entrance to the Permaculture Festival: No additional cost for the Workshop!

 

Web: www.wisdominnature.org.uk ;

Twitter: www.twitter.com/wisdominnature  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wisdominnature; Facebook event page: http://tinyurl.com/kylc69b

About Permaculture: Permaculture is as a practical system for sustainable living, based on observing principles and patterns in nature. Rather than seeing living systems as disconnected parts, permaculture helps us to see them as a whole and aims to maximise the relationships between things. Permaculture has empowered people worldwide to develop projects that work with nature, rather than against it.

WIN will also have a stall at the festival. Come speak with us!

About the London Permaculture Festival:

The London Permaculture Festival  is a non-profit grassroots event and is one of the largest permaculture events in the country.

With Workshops, Storytelling, Music, Kids Dome & more.

Topics include: Islam, Sufism & Permaculture; Introduction to Permaculture; Surviving climate change; Our own body ecology and health; Systems, Patterns and Principles in Permaculture Design; Sustainability and parenting; Multi-stakeholder co-ops and community share issues; How to grow food in containers; Create a worm composter; Keeping chickens; Natural beekeeping; Growing plants from seed; and others...

Festival Website/More info: http://www.londonpermaculturefestival.com

WIN at 'Ecology & Faith' Participative Forum: Bath: Thur 27th June 2013

WHO CARES? HOW CAN FAITH HELP OR HINDER A MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD?

A Participative Forum on Ecology & Faith

A NUS-funded Religions & Beliefs Forum event 

Date: Thursday 27 June 2013
Time: 6:45pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Friends' Meeting House (Downstairs section), York Street, Bath. BA1 1NG.

Muzammal Hussain, of Wisdom In Nature (see www.wisdominnature.org.uk) will lead an Ecology & Faith participative forum, to engage all in interacting with the diverse amount of themes that 'ecology' incorporates. The workshop will aim to explore how far faith groups/communities, and Faith in general, can help or hinder a more sustainable world.
 
Paul Reid-Bowen, senior lecturer in the Study of Religions and Philosophy and Ethics at Bath Spa University, will lead a talk on the world ecological crisis, setting out the basic problems in the world and the immensity of the task that the world community has for responding to the situation.

All are invited to this conference, irrespective of faith/non-faith background. It is planned also for representatives from all faith communities in and around Bath to attend.

It is a free event, but a donation bucket will go around the room to cover costs for hiring the room.

Please invite friends, share this event, and print/share the poster freely.

Facebook page for event: https://www.facebook.com/events/464442226978388/

Sat 8th June 2013: Hunger Action!: Away from corporate control, towards Food Sovereignty

 

"He who sleeps on a full stomach whilst his neighbour goes hungry is not one of us."

 

Saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

 

 

On Sat 8th June, in the lead up to the G8, David Cameron is hosting an international hunger summit in London. On this day, various actions by grassroot networks are planned.

 

BEYOND 'IF': Wisdom In Nature (WIN) appreciates that a number of NGO's, including some Muslim ones, are supporting the big IF campaign, and that the IF campaign has some good points (such as, tax transparency, action on land grabs and biofuels, for example). WIN also believes that the IF campaign has a fundamental gap - it remains weak on the issue of 'power'. There is no clear demand to take away corporate control from food and farming and give it back to people - and it thus seems to leave food and farming open to further control by GM companies. Additionally, we would like to see support for the already developing Food Sovereignty movement that arose over many years through small scale farmers around the world.

 

Image via: www.theprisma.co.uk

"Food sovereignty proposes an alternative food system that creates practical, sustainable and democratic solutions to the failed industrialised food model. It is an approach developed by smallscale food producers in the global South that has become a global movement....

 

It is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems."

 

Approximately a billion people in the world are 'hungry'. We feel that real solutions to hunger must facilitate communities to define their own food and agricultural systems, and not to be prescribed to by large corporations.

 

Thus, after consideration within, Wisdom In Nature has chosen to give its support to Food Sovereignty events on Sat June 8th: the events are direct: they involve creating community gardens as a demonstration that food is a right for everyone!

 

**To find out how you can join in Food Sovereignty Events in the UK on Sat 8th June: See below!!**

 

 

Other info>>

 

'Beyond Expectation: Participating in Radical Food Movement Event' (Food Sovereignty in UK)

Blog post by WIN Rep, Muzammal Hussain

 

"This was not my first event on food justice - I had been to dozens. Yet... walking through woodland that happened to be slippery, slopey and still, I weaved my way to Organiclea, a workers food growing cooperative on the edge of London, to attend a food justice event that went far beyond expectation..." Read full post>>> http://tinyurl.com/brw8m3q

 

Why 'War On Want' won't join the IF Campaign:  http://tinyurl.com/ba93dl8

 

 

 

**G8 HUNGER SUMMIT: JOIN IN FOOD SOVEREIGNTY EVENTS!!**

Saturday 8 June 2013, London and across the UK

Actions to stop the corporate takeover of the world food system.

Where: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Stroud
When: Sat 8 June 2013Meeting place in London: Meet at 9.30am outside The Blackfriars pub, 174 Queen Victoria St, London EC4V 4EG. (Nearest tube: Blackfriars. Take the Blackfriars Bridge exit and the pub is on your right as you exit the station.) From there we will move as a group to a nearby location for the action.
Theme: Create a pop up community garden in central London (and other cities across the UK)
More information: Email info@foodsovereigntynow.org.uk to find out more or check facebook event

Things to bring for London: Wheelbarrows, tools, plants to plant, seeds, soil, banners, and anything else to make a community garden flourish.

Organised by the UK food sovereignty movement

On 8 June, in the lead up to the G8, David Cameron is hosting a hunger summit in London. This summit is a meeting where some of the biggest corporations (including Monsanto, Cargill, Vodafone and Unilever) in the world are going to pledge millions to “stop” world hunger.

This is part of what is called the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (launched at the G8 last year). In actual fact, this New Alliance is going to be the vehicle to spread land grabbing and GM across the African agricultural economy. African countries are going to be signed up to aid conditionalities that will open them up for private takeover of their land and seeds and further resource extraction. Civil society organisations in Africa are not being consulted; their demands are to put power into the hands of small producers not large corporations.

A few weeks ago, a group of community gardeners, radical NGOs and anti-corporate activists met in London to make sure an alternative voice goes out on the 8 June.

With the IF campaign not doing enough to criticise the New Alliance, the hunger summit is set to give David Cameron his ‘Make Poverty History’ moment at the same time as signing away African people’s rights. There must be action now to delegitimise this hunger summit and call for the real solutions to the food system set out in food sovereignty.

This is why you must spread the word and come and join us to take action on 8th.

The idea is to plant a community garden outside the venue of the hunger summit. This will demonstrate that food is a right for everyone not a commodity to make profit from. So bring your barrows, bring your plants, bring some soil and bring some seeds and show the world that food is for people not for profit.

To find out more about the location and target for the protest send us an email to: info@foodsovereigntynow.org.uk

Critiques of the G8 New Alliance: http://tinyurl.com/lsbhv3h

For more details of the Edinburgh action: http://tinyurl.com/kvugxfg

For more details of the Stroud action: http://tinyurl.com/lwxfytu

Workday on Permaculture Plot (Surrey): Mon 27th May 2013 - In Solidarity with 'Worldwide March against Monsanto'

Wisdom In Nature invites you to:

ALLOTMENT WORKDAY ON PERMACULTURE PLOT (SURREY) - In Solidarity with 'Worldwide March against Monsanto'

Registration info below>>

Date: ***Change of Date*** (due to illness)  to Monday 27th May (i.e. Monday of Bank holiday weekend - it was originally planned for the 25th)
Time: 12pm-3pm.
Location: Reigate, Surrey. (Just outside M25, a couple of miles from Reigate train station. Reigate is within an hour from London on the train. Car parking available).

This is a volunteering day on a Saturday in Reigate (an hour's train ride from London). The plot is relatively new and in its beginnings as a permaculture project. The day would be of particular interest to anyone who would like to spend a few hours working on the land, and would like to see some permaculture principles being tried out on a land-based project.

Open to people of all faiths and beliefs, and all gardening abilities. No experience is necessary.  

This workday was originally planned on the same day as the 'Worldwide March against Monsanto', with hundreds of protests being planned across the world. More info: http://tinyurl.com/cz9z25v The workday is being held in solidarity with these protests (even though the date of the workday has changed to Monday 27th May).

On Islam & GM: http://wisdominnature.org.uk/Resources/GM/gmintro.htm 

I'm interested - What to do?

To find out more/register your interest:  email us on: volunteer[AT]wisdominnature.org.uk with your full name and contact number. Once registered, we will then send you email updates in the lead-up.

If you would like to speak with us, call 0845 456 3960 (local rate).   

If we have alot of interest, we may have to put a hold on further registrations.

 
Things to bring

Gardening gloves (if you have any, but not essential)
Rough footwear.
Waterproofs in case.
A packed lunch.
Fluids & perhaps a hot drink in a flask for yourself

WIN website: www.wisdominnature.org.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/wisdominnature
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wisdominnature
Tel. 0845 456 3960 (local rate)

Peace News Summer Camp 2013: Taking a Lead from the Global South, 25-29July, Norfolk

 Here's info about a progressive annual camp organised by our friends at Peace News (Note: It is during Ramadan)....

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PEACE NEWS SUMMER CAMP 2013: TAKING A LEAD FROM THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Thurs 25 July - Mon 29 July 2013, near Diss, Norfolk

Book your tickets online here: http://tinyurl.com/pnsummercamp2013tickets

This year’s camp is organised by activists of colour/people with a global majority heritage. We invite you to join us and others from across the broad spectrum of the peace movement and radical activism for five days of workshops, entertainment and network building!

Taking a Lead From the Global South will be a core strand of the workshop programme, which will include:

- Standing our ground: Peace Communities nonviolently taking back their land in Colombia
- Between NATO, the warlords and the Taliban: Peace activism in Afghanistan
- Finger on the trigger: Western nuclear terrorism since 1945
- Demonising Muslims: Why Islamophobia is more popular than ever
- After Chavez: Social movements in Venezuela
- Turning the world upside down: Global feminisms
- Deschooling society: A Black perspective
- A culture of resistance: The story of Pan-Africanism

ABOUT THE CAMP
When: 25 – 29 July 2013
Where: Near Diss, Norfolk

Peace News Summer Camp is an annual five-day, family-friendly event that attempts to embody many of the characteristics of the future society towards which we’re working – inclusive, democratic, participatory, renewably-powered and environmentally sustainable. It’s an opportunity for a broad spectrum of activists working for radical social change to come together and develop our goals, priorities, knowledge, strategy, skills and networks in support of our different movements, be they anti-capitalist, anti-cuts, anti-racist, anti-war, counter-militarist, disability, environmental, feminist, LGBTQ, or other movements for liberation.

There will be workshops and discussions, practical skills sessions, delicious vegan food, music, film, and participatory entertainment, a bar, a campfire, and activities and facilities for kids and families.

The theme for this year’s camp is TAKING A LEAD FROM THE GLOBAL SOUTH. We’ll be creating opportunities to:

- celebrate what movements in the Global South have contributed to movements in the UK
- discover what movements in the North can learn from those in the Global South
- make global connections between local struggles
- think about what it means to build real solidarity with activists in the Global South

BLACK LEADERSHIP

For this fifth Peace News Summer Camp, for the first time the organising committee are all of global majority heritage. This is an expression of the commitment of Peace News, and of the Summer Camp, to work against racism, and to give an opportunity for new ideas and voices to enter. The new organising collective has added these dimensions to the agenda of the camp:

- celebrating what global majority activists have accomplished in struggles for social change around the world
- helping us better understand and overcome the racism of the societies in which we live
- helping us to understand the connections between racism and other forms of oppression, including those based on disability, class, gender, sexuality and age
- giving us an opportunity to learn more about how racism is affecting our struggles and ourselves and to think about how we can move forward in rooting it out

Peace News Summer Camp is an inclusive event, open to everyone who’s been before, and to everyone else – from all racial and cultural backgrounds – who would like to explore radical ideas and share social change skills.

TICKETS & FOOD

The camp costs £20-£70 depending upon income (for those over 14). Payment can be made by cheque, online or by phone:
- online purchases here [http://peacenews.info/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=6]
- 0207 278 3344 for purchases by phone
- Send cheques (payable to “Peace News” to Peace News, 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DY), explaining how many tickets you’re purchasing and at which rates

Food (3 meals a day and drinks) will cost £6-£11 a day for over-14s, depending on income, and should be ordered before the camp starts. Individuals meals will be available to buy at the camp. Food tickets will be available from late April. 

Deepening Facilitation: Report Back on 'Facilitating Change' Week in Wales

 

A Photo from a previous visit to a nearby area in Wales

 

We the People, We the material 

It's been about a month since I returned from a challenging, yet exhilarating week in rural Wales. There were about 25 of us - most of us were from the UK, and some from other parts of Europe. When people come together, I am excited about the possibilities that exist, and the extent to which those possibilities are tapped depends, in part, on how the group is facilitated. 

At this gathering, called 'Facilitating Change' we had come to explore deeper, more inclusive ways to facilitate groups. It felt like a landmark event, whose ripples are yet to be widely felt. It was organised by Seeds for Change, Rhizome, and Tripod. 

Everyone participating had some experience in facilitating groups. Some participants also had experience in training others to facilitate. However, perhaps the most profound difference between this gathering and other facilitation training I have been on, was not the level of experience of participants - even though the level here was high - but that at this gathering we focussed almost entirely on the relationships between our selves: WE were the material! - living together, eating together, facilitating together, reflecting on our and each other's patterns, and participating together - for a whole week.

The Magnifying Glass: Mainstream, Margins, and more..

 

A central focus during this rich time we spent together was reflecting on mainstreams and margins within groups, focussing not on groups out there, but on our group that had gathered for the week. What are the mainstream values, attitudes and behaviours, for example, in our group? And which values, attitudes, and behaviours are being marginalised... perhaps unconsciously? 

Related to this, we explored rank, power and privilege, developing awareness of our own rank in the group, how we used our power, or allowed others to step into theirs. I am speaking here from my own understanding.

There was no set formula, and a range of approaches were used to experientially explore the concepts: from 'Process Work', to 'Forum theatre', to Joanna Macy's 'The Work that Reconnects', to the various methods more commonly used in the tool-kit of grassroot facilitators, whether small group work, paired work or exercises within the larger group. Some sessions hit the mark more than others. But each offered much learning. The variety made it both interesting, and for me, very effective.

  

Participants become the facilitators
 

The sessions on the first day-and-a-half were facilitated by the organisers. Thereafter, much of the facilitation was passed to us, the participants, and we would facilitate in pairs. After the previous session had ended, there would be space for some feedback to the pair who had facilitated it. The group as a whole would then consider where we are at now: "What is the diagnosis?", What is emerging right now? And what is being silenced? 

These kinds of questions would help inform us, and in particular the next pair, stimulating us to reflect on what approaches and exercises might further the group now. The next pair were chosen by picking two names from an envelope - this was a time when I think we all felt quite anxious - in particular because the pair would then have just half an hour, or so, to prepare their session!

Diving Deeper into the Process

Whether you were facilitating, or participating, the week was challenging! The process was 'alive' throughout - our attention was frequently directed towards considering where the group was at in any given time, and what was needed to take the group (i.e us!) further. 

Conflict was drawn out. Not all significant conflict. Differences were acknowledged. Not all significant differences either - we were far from 100% successful  - but the important thing for me was that it became more ok to express within the group things that would usually be more difficult - not that it became easy either! 

One helpful approach used at least a couple of times after something especially difficult had happened, was some kind of re-enactment - a few people playing different roles, helping to bring up different themes or emotions that had been acutely felt, even if not expressed. This often carried with it a quality of humour, which softened the tension, and made communication easier. It was wonderful to witness this, and for me, this helped to bridge differences and draw me closer to other participants. 


The week also created a context that supported greater awareness of my own pain and patterns, helped strip away some of my social mask - and related to that - deepened my relationship with others. Out of this experience, I am more aware how easy it can be for action groups to just travel on the surface, going through the motions. I want to dive deeper. I want to glide underwater, into the unknown, and experience the depths, the richness that is there. And I want to support others to be able to do the same.

While there was plenty of time spent in the company of one another, whether during formal sessions or during the evening, I felt it important to have some time alone. My spiritual practises that I immersed myself into several times a day were really helpful to me, helping to reduce some of the mental noise and process some of the emotions that were arising. 

I also felt that a few more exercises of a meditative or contemplative nature within the formal workshops would have been really helpful. There were certainly strong emotions that arose for many of us, and practises that expanded the 'inner container' that held 'emotional content' would, I think, have really helped our individual and collective processing of that content.

The Question of Resistance

So, was nobody in the group resisting the process? The answer is that there was plenty of resistance. Particularly at the beginning. We were being pushed to go deeper, to be real, to stop being polite that would otherwise hold us back from talking about the difficult stuff. This resistance tried to defend its ground, but eventually - after some pain - things began to open up.   

There were also the later stages of the week. In retrospect, I sense that I became a little complacent during these even though I never stopped journeying. However, I have wondered if I could have voiced a little more that I was feeling within, during the later stages, and which might thus add fuel for more growth. Or maybe I intuitively felt there was enough already being processed: too much fuel can also smother a fire. I'll be reflecting more on this.

Some Personal Insights

Some personal insights that became more real for me during the week were as follows:

-Within a groups, it can be fine to ditch the agenda (or to be prepared to).
-The fastest journey is not necessarily the seemingly shortest route.
-Emotions hold wisdom, and wisdom informs.

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For anyone who is interested, below is some of the pre-gathering reading that went round.... 

 

"We wanted to give you a bit of background, to give you a an idea where this project has come from and to help you get into a state of mind which will help us have a productive week together. Hopefully you'll get a wee bit of time away from your busy lives, while travelling if not before, to reflect on why you were attracted to come to this event, your hopes and expectations…

This was a project that was dreamed up a few years ago that we've been working hard on ever since. It came out of noticing that despite the great increase in the use of facilitation in the grassroots social change and campaigning scenes in the UK, in part through the Training for Action trainings in advance of the Scottish G8 and through the Camp for Climate Action, we still participate in some really bad meetings! So despite this increased capacity, both of facilitators formal and informal, and of general meeting skills, what happened? Why are meetings sometimes drawn out and overly painful? How come facilitators from time to time fail to support fairness and creativity in our processes?

Well, this set us thinking (when we say us, we mean a loose set of experienced activist-facilitators from different places). Was the problem that we'd focussed too much on certain skills without allowing our intuition to develop? Are there secrets out there in different cultures and approaches that we've 'missed? What are the attitudes or understandings that are lacking, or is it something else? What is the place of values in all this? Are there values behind good facilitation? Is good facilitation about helping a group uncover their values and work to them?

We're sure you've got more questions too, and some answers. And it's in this spirit that we're all getting together. It is not just about learning new tools and exercises, though I'm sure we'll all learn some along the way, maybe even develop new ones. Its about working out how we can develop the state of mind and express the values that underpin our practice as intuitive facilitators. It's a chance for all the great people who are taking part to bang our heads together, to think, to dream, to feel, and to see what we come up with and where we get to; and wherever we do get to, it'll be a start. Hopefully together we will advance how grassroots facilitation is practiced, for ourselves, for other facilitators, and for all we work with."

Ameen,

Love, Muzammal
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WIN's workshops: click here

Video of WIN talks: Interconnectedness & Relationship: Basis for an Islamic Ecology

Earlier this month, WIN Reps Shumaisa Khan and Muzammal Hussain spoke at an Inclusive Mosque Initiative event. 

The topic was: 'Interconnectedness and Relationship: Basis for an Islamic Ecology'. 

The talks were followed by a discussion.

Areas covered included: Nature as a teacher, Permaculture, Interconnectedness between campaigns/issues, Economy, Islamic ecological concepts, technology, intentional communities, and the challenge of deeper group work.

You can watch the full video below:

Event: Interconnectedness & Relationship: Basis for an Islamic Ecology: Sun 3rd March 2013, London

We are very happy to be speaking at this exciting event hosted by the Inclusive Mosque Initiative.

 

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The Inclusive Mosque Initiative invites you to:

 

INTERCONNECTEDNESS & RELATIONSHIP: BASIS FOR AN ISLAMIC ECOLOGY

 

Date: Sunday 3rd March 2013
Time: 2pm-4pm

Venue: St Johns Church, 73 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY; Map: Click here

 

With Shumaisa Khan & Muzammal Hussain of 'Wisdom in Nature'

Talks followed by question/answer session.

 

Registation is requested with a suggested donation of £5 on the day, if you can afford more then please feel free to do so. This covers the venue and speakers costs.  

 

Registration link is here: http://www.inclusivemosqueinitiative.org/registration-2.htm

 

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/199320436878536/

Seedy Sunday: UK's Biggest Seed Swap!: Sun 3rd Feb 2013, Brighton

Seedy Sunday Brighton, the UK's biggest and longest-running community seed swap event.

Date: Sunday 3rd February, 10am - 4.00pm 
Venue: Brighton Corn Exchange, Church Street, BN1 1UE.

Seedy Sunday is the UK's biggest community seed swap. The event takes place every February in Brighton and Hove, in southern England. Seedy Sunday is also a campaign to protect biodiversity and protest against the increasing control of the seed supply by a handful of large companies.

Entry to Seedy Sunday is just £3, concessions £2, children free. Come and enjoy more than 50 stalls, lots of talks, demonstrations and children's activities as well as the community seed-swap.

Seedy Sunday is supported by The Heritage Seed Library and The Millennium Seed Bank and generously sponsored by Infinity Foods. 

More info: www.seedysunday.org
Location Map: Click here

Seedy Sunday Talks Programme 2013

Every year Seedy Sunday aims to provide a stimulating, challenging and entertaining series of talks during the day and this year we're very excited to have some great speakers joining us to discuss some very important topics. Whether you're interested in politics and campaigning or horticulture and sowing the seeds you've swapped, there are talks on this year's programme for everyone.  Each talk will be followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion. 
(Check the programme on the day for final details)

• ‘Open Pollinated Seeds, Our Key to Seed Sovereignty’, Peter Brinch, The Open Pollinated Seeds Initiative
• ‘Not Weeds But Resources’, Roy Vickery, South London Botanical Institute and editor of www.plant-lore.com 
• ‘Are you a first time seed-sower? An introduction to basic sowing and growing for the absolute beginner, Steve Bustin, local garden writer. 
• ‘Saving Seeds from Corporate Control’, Patrick Mulvaney, UK Food Group.
• James Wong, TV Botanist and science presenter and author of new book ‘James Wong’s Homegrown Revolution’.

More info: www.seedysunday.org  

Location Map: Click here

Two Faith-based Nonviolence Events- London, Jan 21st & 22nd 2013

WIN would like to draw attention to two upcoming events in London focusing on non-violence, that resonate with the underpinning Engaged Surrender strand of WIN: 


1) The Need for Faith Inspired Non-Violence Today
Monday January 21, 2013 6-9pm
St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace
78 Bishopsgate London, EC2N 4AG
A Public Seminar on the legacy and influence of Martin Luther King with guest speaker Dr Qamar al Huda. Moderator Dr S. Ayse Kadayifci-Orellana. In association with the Cordoba Foundation.

Registration required - see http://www.stethelburgas.org/civicrm/event/info?id=481&reset=1



2) Seminar: Non Violence and Peace Building in Islam
Tuesday January 22, 2013 10:30am - 4pm
Initiatives of Change Centre
24 Greencoat Place, London, SW1P 1RD 

Organised by The Cordoba Foundation, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Initiatives of Change and Salam Institute for Peace and Justice.


A public seminar that will focus on addressing the Islamic traditions of nonviolence and peace-building, with talks from:

 * Professor Mohammed Abu Nimer (Salam Institute for Peace and Justice / American University)
 * Dr Qamar ul Huda (United States Institute of Peace)
 * Dr Ayse Kadayifci-Orellana (Georgetown University / Salam Institute for Peace and Justice)

Registration required - see  http://www.thecordobafoundation.com/events.php?id=1&art=93

"If People Are Unable to Imagine a Positive Future, They Won’t Create It": Emergence Summit: Sept 2012

"And hold fast, all together, unto the bond with God.." [Qur'an 3:103] 

Whatever changes are taking place in the world, the universal heart will be forever present. Can we tune in, to its beat? For its beat is the source of navigation as we traverse waters whether turbulent or still.

Thanks to working within lovely WIN, I have been invited and agreed to participate in what sounds like a kind of ecopilgrimage(!) through Wales this Sept (2012): camping, trekking along lesser travelled routes (partly in silence), and creating with activists, visionaries and artists who recognise that with climate change, peak oil, economic collapse and so on.. humanity has taken a wrong turn. 

 We intend to imagine together the future we do want. The Summit will culminate at the Centre for Alternative Technology for a weekend conference.

More about the Emergence Summit is here: http://www.emergence-uk.org/

Below is a six minute video about the idea and how it evolved.

I've been told that the summit will be filmed and daily highlights will be uploaded. It will be possible to follow the Summit on twitter and facebook. The Emergence website should have more info (soon!).

I am also happy to be contacted to speak to groups about the experience. I can be contacted through WIN.