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"A transformative community is a nearly indispensable
launching pad for transformation."
- Michael Murphy
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ITP co-founders George Leonard and Michael Murphy write in The Life We Are Given, "The longing for community is universal." In a time when so many of us have been isolated and separated from family and friends, we can appreciate the deep truth in the power of meaningful relationships more than ever.
We hope this month's Practice Resources empowers you to connect and nurture your relationships with your ITP practice family and your larger support network of family and friends. Read a few expert tips on creating change at the local community level, revisit the guidelines for personal sharing and deep listening and enjoy the positive community spirit of our ITP family in the recorded For the Love of ITP online event.
A practice community is one of the most important foundations of ITP, and we're committed to nurturing this support network as you embark on your transformative endeavors. If you're missing your community connection, join us for our weekly online Kata or upcoming online events.
Stay safe and well and blessings to all!
The ITPI team
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Democracy begins locally - not only within the city or county government nearest you but even closer, within your neighborhood. Philosopher and activist Grace Lee Boggs observed: "We can begin by doing small things at the local level ... that is how change takes place in living systems, not from above but from within, from many local actions occurring simultaneously." That process is how we can strengthen our democracy. Here are some starting points created and shared by The Fetzer Institute.
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In this talk, ITP co-founder Michael Murphy discusses various ways in which your philosophy, worldview or religious beliefs can impact your life and practice, and how belief systems can have huge consequences on the culture at large.
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What a lively event we had back in May! Rachel Hamilton, Improv Extraordinaire, was our guide, featuring song, dance, art, poetry and heartfelt outpourings honoring Roger Marsh. By the end of the night, everyone was dancing and our honoree was certainly feeling the LOVE! ITPI is grateful to the community for making our fundraiser a great success, allowing us to continue producing high-quality programs for our global community and "to awaken the world to its fullest potential." Not a moment too soon!
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PRACTICE: Revisiting the Guidelines for Personal Sharing
Personal Sharing is an opportunity for members to share with the group (or any supportive community) what is currently happening in their personal lives and in their practice. It is one of the basic foundations of ITP and one of the most sacred parts of the practice. Certain protocol has proven to enhance communication and group support. The guidelines listed below are for the purpose of insuring safety, freedom of expression and mutual respect.
- Sharing is optional. No one is obligated to share.
- Each person's experience will be honored in silence.
- Each person speaks once before anyone speaks a second time.
- What is shared stays in the room (or virtual space) unless there is express permission given by the person sharing.
- Members shall refrain from: discussion of interpersonal issues, personal attacks, interruptions, cross-talk, unsolicited advice or help, questions, or offering opinions on political or social issues.
Integrating Personal Sharing
- Consider the difference between reporting on the week's activities and sharing more deeply on an internal, transformative level.
- You may wish to share how what is currently happening for you relates to our practice (i.e., your affirmations or the ITP commitments, etc.)
- By your sharing in this deeper way, others can benefit from your experience and find ways to relate more compassionately to you, themselves and one another.
- There is no judgment about how you choose to share with the community; these are simply ideas to enhance and deepen the experience for yourself and others.
- Reflect and review your personal practice and how it is serving you in these current times. Are there areas where you could focus more deeply, or do you find some elements of your practice are no longer serving you? What's needed next on your evolutionary journey?
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Interested in putting your practice into action with your community?
Do you have a favorite ITP resource or tip you use to stay motivated? Reply to this email or send a message to Robert Stewart and we can share it in upcoming issues.
We hope these resources have energized your practice and sparked conversation in your community. Don't hesitate to pass this email along if you know of anyone embarking on a transformative journey of their own.
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"There is a human striving for self-transcendence. It's part of what makes us human. With all of our flaws we want to go a little bit further than we've gone before and maybe even further than anyone else has gone before."
- George Leonard
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To learn more about ITP and our programs,
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