Be the change and The geometric message

On 6 March 2009 I witnessed the successful BE THE CHANGE Symposium at the IBIS Hotel in London, attended by over 600 people.

The following observations and assertions certainly form a body of criticism but these are not intended to diminish or depreciate the enormously positive work done by the wonderful people who attended the Symposium, or to undermine anyone involved.

Consider this

The real intelligence of the planet includes over 6 billion people. It also includes many other life forms, seen and unseen. The real intelligence is consultative in the deepest and most universal sense - no-one can be left out. Only a commitment to wholly being who you are, where you are and with whom you are... is respectful of this intelligence.

First impressions - hearing from people who aren't here

At this point the main activity is film watching - highly polished scripts and audio-visual production are used to communicate the thoughts and ideas of well known personalities - authors, healers, leaders of social movements... Ambient 'new age' music sets the mood. I reflect that we are hearing mainly from people who aren't here. Its the strangest thing, especially considering I am in a room with so many gifted people.

There is a message in the geometry

I heard the room described as a 'sacred space' and understood this to mean that the powerful and loving intention of 'be the change' had redefined this space in that moment as sacred. And yet to me that which is sacred can not be divorced from the natural order and principles of organic communication, which are not observed or heeded to in events that are conventionally staged and that in their appearance lack essential elements of sacred geometry. No offense intended, but I just don`t believe that humanity will survive if we carry on meeting like this:



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I scribbled down the following notes at the Be The change Symposium

- slight curve in the arrangement of the seating
- definite stage area
- sound system - amplification for guest speakers
- everyone faces the guest speakers
- in the afternoon - non-amplified vocal contributions from the floor amounting to 10 to 20 people calling out short phrases while looking forward toward the stage

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This kind of structure can perfectly establish and support a relationship with that which is not there. And like in the cinema, such events are not intended to facilitate organic communication between people. On the contrary, these conditions allow you to come and go without being noticed. And as in schools, this structure is ideal for giving instruction, encouraging conformity, promoting the directors ideas, manipulating the client group, controlling group activities etc.

In this physical context it is not surprising that my mind wonders in the direction of skepticism. A little voice inside asks: Is someone trying to impress me with numbers? This sounds like a sales pitch. What if I don't agree with you? It feels odd that people are loudly applauding a film. When am I going to get to talk to someone? Is this person laying a "guilt trip" on me? Does everyone in this room just agree with each other?

In the interval I notice that on the table outside the hall there are several books for sale, the works of a few well known authors (who may or may not be actually present), and reflect that what is sorely missing is the creative expression of 600+ people.

A particularly brilliant speaker (Lynne Twist) introduced her idea of the 'unquestioned answer'. This is what i have to say to her and the panel of speakers.

The unquestioned answer is that we ask the questions and you give the answers. This is not the recipe for a sustainable future. I have listened to your wise council whilst mainly looking at the backs of people's heads! Where is the opportunity for a face to face dialogue about the enormous issues raised? The majority of the people in this hall are familiar with your unique and widely revered works. Can you dear speakers possibly know of theirs? There is an urgent need for events that are consciously designed with a view to harnessing the creativity and energy of the communities present.

Please make a note of the following: It was necessary for me to talk to a builder* in the hotel bar for two hours in order to participate in a meaningful dialogue about ecology, community, peace, commitment and values. I have no questions of you. I have answers for you.

Talk to me if you want to experience events that facilitate greater sharing, extraordinary discovery, deeper understanding, richer communication and a quality and scale of participation and engagement that will cultivate wisdom on an organic level, forever lifting humanity out of the misery of projection and inhibited life force. That is an area in which I can help.

(*a gentleman who just happened to be staying at the Hotel - not an attendee of the Symposium)

We all need to be in the round - not just heads of state or tribe, or children in play