| Often the day would start, after breakfast, with a heart circle where men could share inner thinking. In heart circles, someone could talk and have the entire group listen. The talking role was passed from person to person. Often there was a lot of competition for "getting the floor." People had a lot to share. Just sitting back and listening to the stories could be quite an experience. Facilitators would try to keep space open, for new people to speak up and current feelings to be expressed. |
Stain glass piece hanging in front of window panes window in lodge.
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| Toward the end of one circle,
there was a unnerving interruption. Someone from the lodge staff
came in to announce that a small fire had broken out on the property.
It was quite a long ways from the conference, but still cause for concern.
Forests were tinder dry. He said, "If you hear an alarm bell,
volunteers are needed."
By lunch, no alarm had sounded. People hoped that the lack of any bell meant things were okay and the fire was out. Then, half way through lunch, a crew from the maintenance staff came dancing through the lodge. They were wearing no cloths. That is, no clothing except for hard hats and tool belts. Nearly naked workmen, in nothing but tool belts and hard hats, are a nice way to say, "don't worry." "The fire is out." "Now it's time for another show." It was especially nice as they were young, buff college age folks. Instead of a fire alarm, there was the sound of spoons clapping against tea cups as everyone broke out in applause. |
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