Influences

Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner's spiritual science set me on a life-long adventure to connect wholeness in myself, in the universe and in our shared humanity, through practical work in local associations active in inspired, practical intiatives - therapeutic, educational, land-based, entrepeneurial and organisational.

'…We must turn our criticism of our present day civilisation inward ... so that we may work slowly – for we can only work slowly in these things - towards helping people learn to think differently. Then external social conditions will change their present form’. Steiner in Study of man [sic]

Paulo Freire

Paulo Freire's conscientisation supports the individual's capacity to transform her thinking, and collaborate with others to change history and society.

'...True generosity lies in striving so that these hands – whether of individuals or entire peoples – need to be extended less and less in supplication, so that more and more they become human hands which work, and working, transform the world’ Freire in Pedagogy of the oppressed.

Fred Emery

Fred Emery's open systems thinking and participative design pioneered methods for optimising productivity and meaning in the workplace, through an ecological paradigm of learning.

'...People are purposeful and can be ideal seeking. Given the right conditions, people want to learn and create their own future'. Emery in Futures we are in.

Arnold Mindell

Arnold Mindell's process science uses awareness to unfold personal, relationship and world issues with deep respect for diversity inherent in nature, the universe and human experience: a deep democracy.

“…Creating freedom, community and viable relationships has its price. It costs time and courage to learn how to sit in the fire of diversity. It means staying centred in the heat of trouble….if you step into leadership or facilitatorship without this learning, you may spend your time recapitulating the blunders of history” Mindell in Sitting in the fire: Large group transformation using conflict and diversity.

In my view these wise teachers share a love for humanity, the universe and all life, and offer practical solutions to some of the most urgent problems facing us as a society and civilisation. Each from his own vantage point is devoted to individual development, tools for working together and improving conditions in the flow of humanity's progress.

The fruits of each one's pioneering work are a result of rigorous phenomenological, participatory awareness approaches that dissolve perceived barriers between observer and observed, subject and object, knower and doer, enemy and righteous. Thanks to my teachers and my friends, I am never alone as I learn, discover, lose, and discover again - an attainable one-world awareness that can stimulate conscious choice and loving, authentic action.

I am fortunate to be learning with Drs. Max and Ellen Schupbach. Max is, along with Drs. Amy and Arny Mindell a co-founder of Process Work. Max is founder and president of Maxfxx, a consulting and coaching firm that is active on five continents. Max and Ellen are co-founders of the Deep Democracy Institute, and conduct leadership programs in the Palestinian West Bank, Africa, the Ukraine and in Kazakhstan. Interview on Worldwork methods and Deep Democracy. They apply Deep Democracy perspectives, methods and tools in organisation and leadership innovations in public, private, government and non-government organisations, as well as political parties.