Many of us are understanding that there’s a much greater story at play than we’d previously thought. Even though we may not know each other, we “breathe together” (which of course is the meaning of conspiracy) and have allies all over the place. I’m part of the invisible conspiracy because I’m interested in the people who see and relate to this greater story and show it in their actions and words. You’re very probably in it too. We share a resonance in sensing that whatever’s happening, it’s greater than what we thought was afoot – wider, deeper. It’s like reading a tawdry crime novel and realizing half way through that there’s a tremendous love story behind it that really speaks to us; somehow it’s our particular story. That’s the “waking up” part!.
Teilhard de Chardin, paleontologist, Catholic priest and brilliant early evolutionist (he died in 1955) is speaking to that here:
". . . we have no grounds of expecting any relaxation, still less any end, of the process of compressive socialization which has now begun, and this being so it is fruitless to seek to escape the whirlwind that is closing in on us. What is of extreme importance on the other hand, is that we should know what course to steer, and how we must spiritually conduct ourselves if we are to ensure that the totalitarian embrace which enfolds us will have the effect, not of dehumanizing us through mechanization but (as seems possible) of superhumanizing us by the intensification of our powers of understanding and love."
I think he got the low and the high of it right, way back then. Yes, the dehumanization does seem possible. If we buy that it is, we’re involuntarily cast into a human drama of wanting to help. But how would we help exactly? What would Teilhard’s “intensification of understanding and love” look like?
Two thoughts come to mind. One is the prioritization of that question of intensification, putting it first! That doesn’t say how but I like Peter Block’s formulation: The answer to how is yes. Seek and ye shall find is another way of saying that. Prioritize the higher.
The second is meeting co-conspirators face-to-face and “facing” the question together. This is putting first things first - but with others. In my experience, this collective approach can be a missing link - very much including for those who’ve been doing their inner work privately forever. That was true for me and I wrote my book Evolutionary YOU out of that life-changing insight.
(courtesy, Signe Ruddy)
Being with others changes the context of our exploration and shows hidden dimensions. Typically we’re stuck in a social identity with others, who we’re supposed to be, whereas our higher identity, the one that Teilhard is speaking to, has a higher focus. It’s beyond social fitting in.
There are many new ways of doing this: Dyad Meditation, Enlightenment Intensives, parts of Authentic Communication, Circling. A subset of all that is Presencing, which is the word I use.
As I practice it, Presencing shares some of these elements:
Dyads or pairs (usually as part of a larger group with other dyads)
Timed sharing periods, e.g., segments of five minutes each to answer an open question. Question examples are “What are you experiencing now?” “Opening to Presence, what arises?” “Tell me who you are.” Or something else.
The respondent responds and the listener presents a welcoming neutral space to listen; s/he provides no comment or favoring of one utterance over another.
When the bell goes after five minutes the partners switch and there can be more rounds.
There’s usually an opportunity to reflect on what happened or to come back to a larger circle and reflect on what struck us.
Presencing is exciting and fun and also a bit scary – like going down a ski jump except that old people can do it too. It’s challenging and edgy whatever age you are. It’s edgy because the social norm is to present ourselves in a certain way with a script about who we are and what we think. Presencing bypasses a lot of that. It doesn’t inquire about your bio or what you think about things. What it invites instead is you and your unfiltered experience of you in the moment. Opening to Presence, what is arising now? You may never in your life have been asked such a question and given time and courteous attention to respond to it.
Many find it illuminating to share what’s happening in this moment with another. It meets Teilhard’s “intensification” criteria very well.
Presencing tends to show how we’re committed to our stories about ourselves, the image or story we want to project – as distinct from what’s actually there in the moment. It’s a powerful way to practice “the intensification of our powers of understanding and love” Teilhard talked about. We’re alone in a naked moment with who we are as we face the mirror, but with someone witnessing. Luckily that someone has their own turn coming and by showing up is highly disposed to welcome and make room for you.
Invitation
I invite you to practice Presencing session with me and others co-conspirators on one or more Sunday’s beginning July 9th. at 11am Eastern. Between now and then I’ll share more about Presencing history, lore and experience. You can register now which will help set the meeting into motion. If you’re thinking of coming please do it now. I’ll connect with signees beforehand.
In this 75 minute meeting I’ll walk you through the process and you can practice it with someone.
Sunday, July 9th, 11am Eastern time.
Register for Sunday Presencing here!
There’s no cost for attending though there will likely be later as needed to put the group on a sustainable footing.
Yours,
Andrew