Community Is

I have been challenged to create a safe and productive environment in which a group of about 10 people who may or may not know each other can disclose their thoughts and feelings about the meaning of community. In my favor (or perhaps the reverse), the people are in fact members of the same community.

This assignment has two potential pitfalls, both of which I am eager to avoid. First, the conversation could wade into the maudlin, sentimental, or trite. Second, the conversation could remain superficial, mechanical, or formulaic. Deep sharing, of course, steers clear of both these dangers. My goal is to encourage creative reflections profound enough to surprise even the speaker in the moment of disclosure. My dream setting would have everyone willing to be vulnerable, assured of confidentiality, believing that there is ample time for everyone to speak, temperamentally compassionate and tolerant, and excited to be having the conversation. If we can bring humility, enthusiasm and honesty (in the words of Alden B. Dow) to the circle, then we should be all set.

Speaking of Alden B. Dow, this conversation is taking place among a self-selected group of residents of Midland, Michigan, and its environs, where Mr. Dow established his career as an architect and left his mark as a philosopher as well. His lifelong interest in creativity as a process and a human capacity is the indirect source of the conversation about which I am reflecting. The people who are going to be present for the conversation, I believe, themselves have made a commitment to express their creativity in one or more dimensions of their lives.

MaybeI will add to the basic question "What am I doing to create community in the place where I live?" and "What would I like to do that I am not doing yet?" Finally, I would ask "What can I do to help you create the community of your dreams?"

There is a palpable spiritual energy present in the midst of people who converse deeply. It is this energy that I would like our conversation to enable. I would like us to be able to create it in the moments of our coming together. If we can do so, then the art exhibit that will be the outcome of this conversation and its aftermath will create protection, capacity, and purpose for our community and for ourselves.