Deep Democracy

DEEP DEMOCRACY EXPLAINED
Deep Democracy is the philosophical basis of the Process Work and Worldwork Paradigm, a psycho-social-political theory and methodology. The term Deep Democracy was developed by Arny Mindell in 1988 and first appeared in Leader as Martial Artist (Mindell, 1992). Mindell, a physicist and Jungian Analyst, has researched and written extensively about how awareness interlinks with reality and how we perceive it on different levels, creating different frameworks of reality. An example of this is how we perceive time: the measurable reality of the seconds ticking in a clock, the dreamlike "subjective" perception of time as it passes during an encounter with a lover - or during a conflict with an opponent - and the sentient essence of timelessness at the moment of sunrise that transcends "known" time (if only for a moment) and replaces it with the concept of a hopeful future. Mindell calls his paradigm Processwork. He formulates these principles and demonstrates how they can be used to facilitate individual, relationship, and group transformation in many of his books.
In the late eighties, Mindell started to formulate these principles as a philosophical approach that he called Deep Democracy. It has become best known for some of the following concepts:

Unlike "classical" democracy, which focuses on majority rule, Deep Democracy suggests that all voices, states of awareness, and frameworks of reality are important. Deep Democracy also suggests that all the information carried within these voices, levels of awareness, and frameworks is needed to understand the complete process of a system. Deep Democracy is an attitude that focuses on the awareness of voices that are both central and marginal.

This type of awareness can be focused on groups, organizations, one's own inner experiences, people in conflict, etc. Allowing oneself to take seriously seemingly unimportant events and feelings can often bring unexpected solutions to both group and inner conflicts.

Although the term and the concepts of Deep Democracy are now being used by various groups in different ways, Mindell formulates their common denominator: Deep Democracy is the experience of a process of flow in which all actors on the stage are needed to create the play that is being watched.
Deep Democracy is a natural process that occurs in all community building processes, but often goes unnoticed or un-used. Just as conventional democracy strives to include all individuals involved in the political process, Deep Democracy goes a step further in the effort towards fostering a deeper level of dialogue and inclusiveness that makes space for all people (with the individual right to vote) as well as all various and competing views, tensions, feelings, and styles of communication - in a way that supports awareness of relative rank, power, and privilege, and the potential of these forces to marginalize other views, individuals, and groups.


Evolution of Deep Democracy
”The most fundamental forum is your own heart. Both as a facilitator and as a human being, you must learn to hear yourself there.” Arnold Mindell, "Sitting in the Fire", 1995

Deep democracy has many aspects, many of which relate to philosophical concepts derived from quantum physics. Deep Democracy at its deepest manifestation refers often to an openness towards the views of other people and groups. It also embraces emotions and personal experiences that are most often excluded from conflict and rational public discourse (Mindell, 1992).

Deep Democracy has crossed over into many fields and has been picked up by many authors, some using it as defined by Mindell, others using only particular aspects (as it is often the case with crossovers). For more information, please see our Deep Democracy and DDI page.

One of the primary concerns of Deep Democracy is the use, maintenance, and awareness of metaskills, a concept developed by Amy Mindell (attitudes and feeling tones underlying our skills). The concept of openness to diversity and dialogue between various views doesn’t mean that the facilitator goes along with what the group wants—that is only one metaskill (although it often reflects a lack of awareness). Facilitators must also practice, embody, and express other metaskills such as toughness, anger, intractability, love, detachment, concern for the well being of the others, and a genuine desire to achieve consensus. Some of the metaskills in the above mentioned list are organic responses. However, when a facilitator uses her internal organic responses to better inform her intervention, she is using a metaskill. This is why the human development (the internal psychological and spiritual growth) of the facilitator is so important.

Deep Democracy involves not only openness to other individuals, groups, and diverse views, but also an openness to experiences including feelings, dreams, body symptoms, altered states of consciousness, and synchronicities as well as an awareness of signals, roles, and the structural dynamics of the interactions between parties involved.

The Lungs of the Earth

Blogger's Note: treecanada is a great site! Worth a look.

UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve
Canada finally has its own official day to celebrate trees. Starting this fall, each Wednesday of National Forest Week in September will be known as National Tree Day. The first National Tree Day will be September 21, 2011. see www.treecanada.ca (news) for further details.
Tree Canada - Arbres Canada
www.treecanada.ca

Women Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurs get help connecting with suppliers


Topics : WEConnect Canada , Women Business Enterprise , Atlantic Canada
[ATLANTIC REGION] – Women entrepreneurs are facing many challenges in the patriarchal world of business, but one program is looking to lift them up.

WEConnect, a non-profit organization that helps support firms owned by women, has received a boost from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

ACOA is granting WEConnect with a contribution of more than $134,000 through its Business Development Program.

“Our government declared 2011 the Year of the Entrepreneur because businesses play a key role in securing Canada’s ongoing economic recovery,” said Keith Ashfield, minister for ACOA. “Every year, entrepreneurs create about 130,000 new companies in Canada. We are pleased to support businesses through programs and services that stimulate economic growth, create more jobs for Canadians and open doors to new export markets.”

WEConnect is also investing an additional $152,000 into the program. WEConnect will manage Canada’s Women Business Enterprise in Atlantic Canada which qualifies eligible firms and connects them with the corporate and private sector and the growing demand for suppliers in Canada and abroad.

Only firms that are at least 51 per cent owned, managed and controlled by women are eligible to qualify for the program.

“WEConnect Canada is thrilled to be able to help meet a growing demand for diverse suppliers through our certification program and mentoring efforts,” said Mary Anderson, executive director of WEConnect Canada. “ACOA’s funding will allow us to deliver certification that ensures women business owners meet an international standard needed to access global supply chains, and will help us introduce women-owned businesses to a comprehensive network of large corporations. It’s great news for women entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada.”

Women in Film

NS: Women of film, TV converging in Halifax


Canadian filmmaker Patricia Rozema is headlining this weekend’s conference. — Photo Contributed
Published on March 4, 2011
Published on March 4, 2011
Metro Halifax Latest News
4/03/2011 Lower revenue but higher profits at Ontario government owned utility OPG in 2010
4/03/2011 Long awaited U.S. jobs recovery augurs well for Canadian automakers, economy
4/03/2011 NS: Taxpayer funded birthday wheel for Halifax employees grinds to a halt
4/03/2011 NS: Discovery Centre gets $700,000 from province to help with move
4/03/2011 NS: Taxpayers group urges province to reduce tax on gas as prices climb higher
4/03/2011 Women entrepreneurs get help connecting with suppliers
4/03/2011 NS: Steel workers throw support behind 3D Auto Parts' bid
4/03/2011 NS: ECBC appealing WCB ruling regarding former Devco employees
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Regional News
4/03/2011: NL: FFAW president says fleet rationalization necessary
4/03/2011: NL: Senators get an earful on Muskrat Falls
4/03/2011: NB: Sackville develops strategy for surplus properties
See All Articles
Topics : Halifax
[HALIFAX, NS] — Atlantic Canadian women in TV and film will gather in Halifax this weekend to celebrate and boost their roles in a predominantly male industry.

The conference, Women Making Waves, is hosted by the Women in Film & Television–Atlantic.

The three-day event beginning Friday will feature workshops, screenings and panel discussions, and will be headlined by award-winning Canadian filmmaker Patricia Rozema.

“There are so many talented women in the screen industry,” said Jan Miller, chair of WIFT–Atlantic. “The time is right to celebrate what they’re doing and find ways to help the senior people mentor the emerging people — and the emerging people inspire the senior people.”

Though the conference honours women, topics of conversation will be relevant to both sexes, she said.

Saturday night will feature a screening of short films by filmmakers from each Atlantic province and a documentary, titled Pretty Bloody: The Women Of Horror, by Halifax-based filmmaker Donna Davies.

Miller said she would love to see Women Making Waves become an annual event.

Tickets can be purchased at wift-at.com.

Funding for Fruit Producers

NS: Feds invest in province's fruit growing industry


Published on February 22, 2011
Published on February 22, 2011
Staff ~ Transcontinental Media Latest News
4/03/2011 Lower revenue but higher profits at Ontario government owned utility OPG in 2010
4/03/2011 Long awaited U.S. jobs recovery augurs well for Canadian automakers, economy
4/03/2011 NS: Taxpayer funded birthday wheel for Halifax employees grinds to a halt
4/03/2011 NS: Discovery Centre gets $700,000 from province to help with move
4/03/2011 NS: Taxpayers group urges province to reduce tax on gas as prices climb higher
4/03/2011 Women entrepreneurs get help connecting with suppliers
4/03/2011 NS: Steel workers throw support behind 3D Auto Parts' bid
4/03/2011 NS: Women of film, TV converging in Halifax
See All Articles
Regional News
4/03/2011: NL: FFAW president says fleet rationalization necessary
4/03/2011: NL: Senators get an earful on Muskrat Falls
4/03/2011: NB: Sackville develops strategy for surplus properties
See All Articles
The Daily Business Buzz
Topics : Nova Scotia Agricultural College , NSFGA , Innovative Communities Fund , Nova Scotia , Canada , Annapolis Valley
[KENTVILLE, NS] — Nova Scotia fruit growers will be receiving funding for a vital industry study to help the sector prepare for future growth in world markets.

Today, the Government of Canada announced it is investing $30,000 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund; the Province of Nova Scotia will provide a grant of $5,000 and an additional $9,525 will come from the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association (NSFGA).

The NSFGA will consult extensively with its membership, Canadian and American stakeholders, the general agriculture industry and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College to secure views and insight into the industry’s future. Fruit growers are under significant pressure from the global over-supply of commodities, intense foreign competition, weather-related disasters, static consumption and retail consolidation.

“This is an important initiative that will position Nova Scotia fruit growers for enhanced growth and development into the future,” said Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister John MacDonell. “We have seen significant gains in new markets with unique and profitable apple varieties and in infrastructure that will ensure quality apples and apple products that consumers demand and expect.”

Nova Scotia’s fruit industry is an essential wealth generating component of the agriculture sector and is critical to the economic success of the Annapolis Valley, adds Dela Erith, executive director of the NSFGA.

“Nova Scotia’s fruit growers produce 10 per cent of Canada’s total apple production, create $14.7 million in farm gate sales and have an economic impact of about $72.5 million to the economy of Nova Scotia.”

Bear River Health Clinic News

Bear River & Area Community Health ClinicClinic Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pmEmail: bear.riverclinic@ns.sympatico.caWebsite: bearriverandareaclinic.caPhone: 467-3611Fax: 467-3339March 2011Acupuncture – Your choice of pins or laser. Book appointments with Joe through the Clinic.Audiology – Neil Hackett. Please call 1-866-299-2016 to book appointments.BodyTalk System –Jocelyn Pulchny. Appointments booked through the Clinic.Counselling/Clinical Hypnotherapy – Gayle Allen. Call the Clinic to book appointments. Call Gayle formore info at 526-2850.Electrolysis – Call Ronda at 1-902-791-0953 for more information or to book your appointment.Esthetics –Charlene Decker. To book an appointment or for more information, call 1-902-874-2454 oremail: estheticly_pleasing@yahoo.caJuniper House Outreach – Please call Lori at 245-4789 to book your appointment.Massage Therapy – Julie Palmer. Call the Clinic to book your appointment. – NEW SERVICE!!Nurse Practitioners – Dianne Corbett, RN. Call the Clinic for appointments. Note: New patients will beseen in Yarmouth. Connie Day, RN. Book appointments through the Clinic.Physician Services – Dr. Harding. Appointments are booked through the Clinic.Reflexology/Massage – Deb provides quality reiki and reflexology services, along with Indian HeadMassage, chair massage and Scalp Massage. Need to de-stress? Book your appointment today andrelax! Gift certificates are available on request.Times and dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.Please note: we are in urgent need of Board Members. If you have an interest in our Clinic,please consider joining! This Clinic is not able to continue without a full Board.If interested, please phone 467-3611 to let us know!New Service Available:Join us in welcoming Julie Palmer! Julie is acertified Massage Therapist and will beoffering appointment of either 45 minutes, 1hour or 1 ½ hours. Please call 467-3611 tobook your massage now!* * *Advent Christian ChurchLadies’ Prayer Meeting, Thursdays @ 10:30“If you have time to worry about it, you havetime to pray about it.”It’s Income Tax Time Again!With e-file, refunds are usually in your bank accountin less than two weeks after submission. Are yougetting ALL the credits you are entitled to? Are youeligible for Pension Income Splitting? Medicalcredits? Any of the new credits?Prompt,professional, confidential. Seniors discount. 14years in Bear River, 44 years total experience.PAT’S OFFICE 467-3358Personal returns, HST returns, small businesses,payroll and bookkeeping services.Join us for our AGM on Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. All are welcome!

Worldd Story Telling Day

Hello all,
for World Storytelling Day I will be holding an event at the Weymouth Waterfront Library, to promote storytelling and encourage others to tell their stories. The Goodwin Hotel has been generous enough to offer a room for ongoing monthly storytelling nights (TBA) where those interested can tell, learn about telling or just come to listen. I hope some of you might consider attending or if possible posting the information for this upcoming event. Thank you all.
Joanna Jarvis


JOYANNA STORYTELLING
JOANNA JARVIS (CRINION), Storyteller
675 Weymouth Falls Rd.
RR#4 Weymouth, NS B0W 3T0
joyanna_storyteller@hotmail.com
902-837-7178 / 902-834-2074
Preserving the art of Oral Storytelling and promoting Literacy through stories, Music, Drama and Puppetry