FootprintsintheWind.com

the profound
through your lips
from within you
to that of God
give voice

:- Doug.

How do we have conversing if we’re all one? Where is the meeting?

The purpose is cooperation and realizing our oneness. It is the different aspects or facets we see which persuade us we are distinct, when we are connected in so many ways underground.

Life is movement. Conversing keeps life moving. Conversing keeps life blowing through us and our hands.

:- Doug.

Conversing re-establishes the connections—uncovers and strengthens the connections—among us. The connections are there all along, even when we think we sever them. We are not as separate as we (like to) think.

:- Doug.

We are engaging our environment volitionally, intentionally. We see ourselves as separated from all around us, which animals appear not able to do. But then we can see ourselves connected in a bigger way.

:- Doug.

If we are to eliminate some of the taxes related to health care, let us pay for it. Let’s then eliminate Big Oil care.

:- Doug.

It is true we spend a great deal of time sculpting our environment—building roads, machines, legislation. It is also true our environment shapes us—we file our taxes, stop at red lights, listen to preachers. When I stop for a red light I help the traffic going across my path. When we do but also want to help each other, when we are drawn toward each other, that is what is known as love. Touching, communicating, conversing are ways of love.

:- Doug.

The thing that names us human
is we engage with our environment
touch a door handle, watch TV,
send an email, open our mouths
ears and hearts

:- Doug.

We create a wind
As we move among our friends
Or do we?

:- Doug.

Setting the leaves in motion
Skittering, hanging on
Decomposing, composing
Coloring, recoloring
For seasons vernal and autumnal
The work of the wind,
Breath, airs, vibration, movement

:- Doug.

Let’s open space for love to take responsibility

:- Doug.

How might I design my life to encourage conversing widely?

:- Doug.

When spirit breathes, what are the dimensions and potentials? Spirit breathes in and breathes out and there is a quiet space in between the directions. It breathes upon us. It takes in our scent. Spirit blows through us and past us. The breath pushes us along and we brace against it. It changes our directions, and transforms us and itself. It meets us and we meet it. It is our field and our essence and recreates us.

:- Doug.

Momentarily we live
Three ways—
Briefly
In the kairos
Weightily

:- Doug.

This is what’s fulfilling
Do something big
Dive in
Throw your life in
Toss caution into the wind

:- Doug.

What’s juicy?

:- Doug.

It is a month or two off, you know it will be a gentle death, as gradual or short as you like. You have time to get used to the idea, time to gather special people around if you wish, energy to do what you love with the ones you love:

Who is around, what are you saying, doing? Are you touching? In what ways? What are they doing, saying? How will you grieve? What will you give? What do you hear? What colors, smells are around you? What motion, rhythm, speed or slowness? Who takes your hand, rubs your back, winks at you, causes everyone to laugh?

:- Doug.

The reason the listening stick is so powerful is that it probes the depths—grief, pain, what’s not working, what’s needed, who we are, what we love most.

:- Doug.

Finding our way
across an opening abyss
taking spirit by the hand
—or the other way around—
is the work of conversing

:- Doug.

Opening space
For Spirit to breathe
Conversing is

:- Doug.

Ask the participants how to grow love from conversation: They will grow our spirit and imagination. That’s opening space! Set the direction, invite them to invite larger, to put meat on the bones.

:- Doug.

What are the possible links between POST and a compassionate community?

:- Doug.

Say less to say more
The way of love
Which has not need of words

:- Doug.

Where is love in POST? Where is love in Conversation? Where is compassion?

:- Doug.