Think Tank, Part 2

We want to “get our bloated nothingnesses [egos] out of the way of the divine circuits,” as Emerson said. We want to be more receptive, more feminine, in developing a connection and relationship with our highest and best aspirations. We want to allow a vision of what we don’t fully know or understand, a world that works for everyone, to flow thru us and guide us, rather than forcing it to conform to our present understanding – if you always do what you always did… and can’t solve the problem at the level of thinking that created it in the first place.

Michael Beckwith described this goal in his description of human spiritual evolution as – to us, by us, thru us, as us. First, to us, we feel like victims of forces beyond our control. Next, by us, we learn the Laws of Cause and Effect, Attraction and the ‘secret,’ and we use these in service of our egos. Third, thru us, we allow our egos to expand to include community and a world that works for everyone. And finally, as us, our egos are all but gone and we experience ourselves part of, and one with, all that is.

This movement may be thought of as expanding our comfort zones. Such expansion, entails much discomfort and pain. Help in the form of encouragement, courage, humor, just listening, and experiences of success - what the expansion is all about; why we’re doing it, is vital.

We’re wanting to build a space, and a set of processes and experiences that will enable people to expand their comfort zones – to get their bloated nothingnesses out of the way, and to evolve as Michael Beckwith described it so that they live more fulfilling lives from that place and may make meaningful contributions to a world that works for everyone.

Think Tank - A New Approach to Living

Describe ThinkTank for us?
A participative, innovative, multi-media approach to creating a world that works for everyone, one person at a time. A viral approach to macro change thru individual skill-building and power enhancement that enables individuals to develop, share, grow and change themselves, their relationships, communities, groups, organizations and societies in the direction of a world that works for everyone.

What distinguishes your approach to coaching people?
I am an “inside-out” coach. I facilitate people getting in touch with their inner power, skills, passions and values and work from there. I also want to help clients realize and utilize all they already have within them: spirit, head, heart and hand to experience a whole, integrated, integrous and therefore, sustainable, life.

What is it that you train people to do?
See above.

Help me understand what you mean when you say a world that works for everyone?
As peace as more than the absence of war. Economic, political, social, etc. systems that enable and support healthy, non-violent self expression in the context of community and sustainability. Systems that produce less or no: suffering, fear, punishment, tyranny, waste and disease and more joy, love, authenticity, enthusiasm, passion, soul-work, gratitude, and respect.

How does it feel to have successfully established a business that contributes to a world that works for everyone?
It feels blessed and great! Being part of this is the point, what I’ve always wanted my life to be about. I feel fulfilled, completed, worthwhile.

What inspired you to do this in the first place? (Biz creation story)
What were you hoping for?
See above. Do well by doing good. No contradiction, not an either/or; not necessary to hurt one’s self, others and the environment in order to be successful. In fact, the opposite is true, one can’t achieve sustainable success by hurting one’s self, others and the environment.

shifts
will have to shift from left brain dominance to a slight right brain dominance; from lack and scarcity thinking to a tilt towards grace, ease and abundance; from struggle is necessary, to struggle is an indicator of the need to shift; from outer directed to inner directed; from self to Self; from part to whole

obstacles
our habits and systems rooted in the above

surprises
epiphanies

Assumptions, last

Assumptions: The Alpha and Omega



Alpha
The world is a dangerous place
The bottom line is all that matters
It's either my way or the highway Command & control is best
The material world is primary
Win/Lose
Pessimistic
Short term results
Pain, lack, limitation, fear
Closed, hidden, secretive
Controlled, routine
Medical Model
Future oriented
Efficiency
Machine Metaphor



Omega
The world is a neutral place
Everything matters
It's both my way and your way Cooperation and participation
Both spirit & science
Win/Win
Optimistic
Both short and long term
Joy, vision, passion
Open, visible, revealed
Free and spontaneous
Appreciative Model
Present & future
Effectiveness
Organic Metaphor

Assumptions, Part 2

"There is much more in heaven and earth than in your philosophy," Shakespeare said.
Realize more of your potential, grow, complete yourself, know your assumptions and choose to go beyond them.
Remember, habit speaks first, the pull of the comfort zone is intense. That's why mindfulness is so useful.
When you catch yourself struggling, denying, running fast and getting nowhere, victimized, angry and vindictive, perhaps your assumptions are using you, instead of you using them.
Pause, take a deep breath, reflect a moment.
Ask:
"What do I really, really want, here and now? What's the highest and best for all concerned? Do I want to be right or happy?
How can I, right now, with passion, joy and gladness, make a contribution that will bring the highest and best for all concerned? Is it possible I don't know everything?
Is it possible I'm holding to my assumptions inappropriately, being arrogant, stubborn, fearful and self centered?"
Then, without guilt or condemnation, start fresh, right where you are right now. With passion, joy and gladness, do what you can to make a contribution from your heart and uniqueness that will bring the highest and best for all concerned.

Assumptions, Part 1

Stop Blaming, Take Responsibility and Start Making Things Better


Our assumptions about the world, life and living determine our experience and quality of life.


Assumptions have a grain of Truth, sometimes a bit more, but they are never the whole Truth. They are a partial picture of Reality.

Your assumptions are complete and true enough for you. But they act as a filter for the whole of Reality - allowing in what supports them, and screening out what doesn't.


Assumptions limit. They are the boundaries of our comfort zones.


To know our assumptions and choose to go beyond them, is to grow, have more options, achieve ever greater success, become more complete and real. It is to stop blaming, become responsible and start making things better.

We expand vast amounts of energy - emotional and physical, holding on to our assumptions, our tiny bits of Reality, while denying and fighting the rest of a vast Reality that mayor may not support them.


This is exhausting and stressful. It feels like we're running as fast as we can and getting nowhere. We feel like victims. We're angry, aggressive and afraid.


We are mistaking assumptions about Reality, for Reality; mistaking ourselves for our assumptions, identifying too closely with our beliefs. You are not your assumptions, beliefs and thoughts.


You are more, much more. Assumptions, beliefs and thoughts are not real. We make them real by our allegiance to them.


Like styles in clothing, art and music, assumptions, beliefs and thoughts come and go. But you, and I remain.

Quotes

“The sages do not consider that making no mistakes is a blessing. They believe, rather, that the great virtue of man lies in his ability to correct his mistakes and continually to make a new man of himself.” Wang Yang-Ming (1472-1529)

“When you hold a vision clearly in your mind, your consciousness gets a new chance to grow. It can then expand to match your vision and embrace it. What results is a whole new world for you.” – Gregory Barrette

“When you don’t feel the way you ought to act, if you just act the way you ought to feel, then you WILL feel the way you ought to act.” - William James

Quotes

“Directed faith is not a vague, hazy, wishful yearning. It is a powerful belief of expectancy that causes the universe to send us wonderful things.” – Edwene Gaines


“There are no terminal mistakes. Every activity of life is designed to move you closer to your goal: conscious oneness with God. Embrace your mistakes and set yourself free!” --Greg Barrette

“Wisdom is not a product of thought. The deep Knowing that is wisdom arises through the simple act of giving someone or something your full attention.” Eckhart Tolle