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SOJOURN MAGAZINE - ISSUE 4 - Fall 1997

 

Sojourn Satellite Salons

 
Vision -- The state of the world presented by the media can easily bring us down. We can complain, whine, talk back to the TV, or realize that the world we each live in is of our own making. Changing that world takes more than inspiration and good intentions. If we want a rich life, we have to be ruthlessly honest, take responsibility, apply ourselves and follow through. A desire for truth and devotion to it can move us beyond our mental constructs and emotional attachments. Even if shared with millions, the vision we each follow must be our own. It is up to each of us to face the challenge of finding and following our best and highest self. 

Sojourn Satellite Salons* -- We invite you to attend Sojourn sponsored gatherings in your local community. These gatherings or "salons," are places for sharing and supporting our creative works and aspirations--articles, poetry, artwork, stories, dreams, entrepreneurial ideas, group designed writing or interview projects, etc. Selections from Sojourn might be read aloud, discussed and used as springboards for new creative directions. Leadership and focus can shift from session to session. 

Whatever the focal topic, Sojourn satellite salons will provide a space for women's authentic voices to emerge, and for elevating individual consciousness through group synergy. 

A Sojourn liaison person will be responsible to provide the space, oversee meetings, provide magazines, handle group submissions and dialog with the publishers. In addition, the meeting leadership will be rotational and voluntary (arrangements can be made at the end of each meeting or for several meetings in advance.) 

Suggestions for Conducting Meetings The following guidelines are designed to assure that the group dynamic is enlivening, nourishing and inspirational to those in attendance: 

1) GROUP HARMONY The leader will open with a short reading, guided meditation or invocation. 

2) INDIVIDUAL SHARING Each person in the group will have an opportunity to briefly share an insight, request, or creative work as a stick is passed around the circle.** Participation is voluntary. This can take up to 45 minutes. 

3) GROUP FOCUS The content for the meeting is prearranged by group consensus. This may be an on-going project or a special topic for that meeting. The plan for the next meeting will be arranged or confirmed at the end of the hour. 

4) CLOSING Five minute closing circle led by the leader. 

Boredom and chaos control will be handled by assigning individuals or subcommittees to meet and perform tasks that streamline the group's goals. Subcommittees may engage in activities such as fact-finding, giving personal support to members, doing field interviews, or preparing written material to submit to Sojourn. 

If you are already attending a women's support group, consider amending your vision to include Sojourn as an added focus. If you are not generally a joiner, these salons offer a way to participate in a group experience without prescribing to a self-limiting or mandatory participation. 

* Satellite: We use this term with two connotations: 1) one body orbiting another (e.g. the moon is a satellite of the earth) and 2) a microbiology term in which the growth of one group of organisms is enhanced by the productions of another. Salon: A periodic gathering of people for social or intellectual sharing. 

** Holding the stick: The traditional passing of a sacred stick from speaker to speaker encourages the practice of attentive listening and conscious speaking. Reverence for the word is important when sharing depth--our archetypal lives, dreams and images, greater understandings stimulated by or relevant to the group focus.

 

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