Here are some definitions and links we hope help:

Restorative Justice – Definitions:

• Restorative justice is an approach to justice where offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and “to repair the harm they’ve done- by apologizing, returning stolen money, or (for example) doing community service”. … – Wikipedia
• A cost-effective criminal justice approach that is based on reconciliation, restoration, healing and rehabilitation. Restorative justice refers to a movement promoting humane, transformative and cost-effective alternatives to our current punitive, failed and costly system of mass incarceration. – Ella Baker Center
• Any of several forms of justice that attempts to repair the harm done to the victim, sometimes by making the offender make restitution - Wiktionary
• Restorative justice emphasizes the way in which crimes hurt relationships between people who live in a community. Crime is seen as something done against a victim and a community—not simply as a violation against the state. … – Center for Community Corrections

When it’s based on a core-values conversation, RJ is incredibly powerful.

More On Restorative Justice – Links

For more information, do a Google search or see:

• Restorative Justice – Suffolk University
• Dominic Barter Restorative Justice Circles
• 20-Minute Story of RJ in use with kids / juveniles
• Uses of RJ – in Florida – in prisons – in divorce …

“Rebuilding local agriculture and food production, localizing energy production, rethinking healthcare, rediscovering local building materials in the context of zero energy building, rethinking how we manage waste, all build resilience and offer the potential of an extraordinary renaissance – economic, cultural and spiritual.”

Rob Hopkins – The Transition Handbook

Please help us all to experience a life
even better than we can imagine.
To live a life of joy and fulfillment,
even beyond what we can think to ask for,
even beyond our wildest dreams.”

How do we participate in and assist growing communities that work?

If you are interested in this too, I hope these thoughts will contribute to your thinking as much as talking with Cherie and Rumi contributes to mine!

Blessings,

Maya (Gail)

– clip –
I haven’t seen much rubber-to-the road yet around how interiors contribute to the exteriors…of course this particular subject is my own life practice (and a key part of the TIA Coach Certification Program) so of course it interests me.  I’d be curious to contribute to those conversations.

I can see examples of these conversations based on simple topics that would assist ANY level of community development.

Example:

- Context 1 – What we do as individuals, couples, and families, we will perpetuate in our groups, organizations, cities, cultures, and countries.

- Context 2 – all communities – including the future of 2nd Tier (and above) culture growth – will surface whatever center of gravity exists around I-space and We-space embodiment – including shadow, how we deal with shadow, and how we deal with meeting needs in a way that accounts for the system at large.

- Specific Practices – while I do practice a selection of specific practices around these topics, I’m not practice-prejudiced.  I would like to engage others in practices that work, but I’ve come to realize that it’s not the specific method itself that matters but the results that many quality practices share – and it’s not just about ascendant “equanimity” and witnessing.

In my opinion, quality I-space and We-space practices generate BOTH powerful WITNESS and powerful WITHness.

How do we know when there’s both Witness and WITHness?

Here are a few thoughts:

1. We experience a felt-sense of space (to sit in the unknown, to receive input from other and from Source, and to feel/hear/see/discover emergent properties around us)

2. We experience effortless and simple communication (hearing in ways the other experiences as being heard, and expressing in ways that result in feedback reflecting accurate understanding)

3. Within as little as 3 breaths or a 20-minute conversation we can quickly and easily reveal the roots that fear and shadow are trying to reveal, and integrate those root values into individual healing and/or into integrated practical generative actions (which impacts collaboration).

((( addendum – 4 – We experience our day-to-day in a greater context – ex: the greater context of emergent consciousness – so we see the value of each experience as part of the larger field of evolution, which adds some space )))

In short, the practices that work result in effective we-space and value-based collaboration / co-creation.  Personally, I’ve worked on collecting a catalogue of practices so that we are at full choice in any moment, we can tailor practice to any psychograph and type preference.

I hope this lubricates some of what you’re thinking about (and for Marilyn too) and helps name the parts of  the conversation that most call me.

Thoughts?

Curious,
Maya (Gail Taylor)

Addendum – a single breath on what supports community exteriors, here.

Transpersonal Love – I love (him/her/it) Just Because.

!

I love loving.

Sending you love,
Maya-G

• delve into energies and archetypes we shy away from or reject
• embrace and include voices of what we don’t like and don’t want to reveal what we do want
• see the Spirit revealed everywhere in our core values
• discover generative win/win solutions to the conflicts we face in our daily lives.

Where would you like more love, freedom, ease, and fewer headaches?

Come make good trouble with us, y’all.

Saturday, 4pm to 6pm, August 7.
Falls Church, VA

Then….Join in at 6pm for our community potluck.  BRING A DISH FOR 8 PEOPLE (main dish, salad, side dish, bread & beverage, or dessert).  Food — Music — Dance — Good conversation!

Please note that a donation of $10 is requested.

Invite along a friend if you like.  Can’t make it at 4pm? – then just stop in at 6pm for the potluck!  No Need to RSVP – DIRECTIONS are below, as is info on OTHER EVENTS.

(for the CSL/Shalom DC organizing committee:  Roger Telschow, Frances Gatz, Tom Goddard, and Barra Kahn).

*** Next month’s First Saturday gathering will be September 4. ***

~ ~ ~ ~

OTHER EVENTS

Respectful Confrontation

How do you ask for what you want, take care of your needs, and really be heard? How do you assert yourself in both loving and aggressive situations? How do you express vulnerability and sensitivity and stay in your own power? Joe Weston’s “Respectful Confrontation” experiential workshops offer an opportunity for you to create greater inner peace, deeper relationships and intimacy, improved effectiveness and influence at work, and resolution of misunderstandings and increased trust. Come to a “Taste of RC” August 14 or a one-day workshop on August 15. Click here for more info and to register. Call Tom Goddard (703-879-8357) with questions.

Core Energetics

Barra Kahn, a CSL founder, is a certified practitioner of Core Energetics, offering individual, couples, and group sessions. Core is a powerful modality for moving energy blocks and freeing up the body to live a fuller, richer life.  Email Barra or call 703-786-7065.  More info.

Shalom Mountain Retreat & Study Center

Many of us have experienced this wonderful, healing place.  Located in the Catskills of New York State, Shalom Mountain offers a wide variety of transformational retreats. Click here or call 845-482-5421.  Pick up a Shalom calendar at CSL Saturday.

Sacred Touch Workshop

Receive sacred, caring touch in a safe, loving, supportive environment. Practice boundary setting, trust, overcoming body issues; or simply share terrific six-handed massage.  Aug. 7, 2pm-8:30pm.  With David E. & Amy S. More info.

Family Constellation Therapy and more

Offered to the community by Randy Goldberg, who is also a Craniosacral therapist and astrologer.  Contact Randy here or call 202-518-0442.

The Capitol Creativity Network

meets the second Wednesday of each month for experiential explorations of applied creativity in life, work and business. All are welcome. For more information go here or email founder Michelle James.

Purposeful Business Circles

Monthly session for Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners ready to evolve themselves and their businesses/work to a higher level — to make a greater difference and at the same time a substantial return. Email Patricia DiVecchio, see her website, or call 703-200-3447

Monthly group massage and potluck

Esalen-style, non-sexual, nurturing touch.  Held in the homes of members of the Stroking Community DC chapter.  Email Heidi Garrett.

Getting Real and Trance Dance

Join Michael Smith in honest communication and trance dancing in two supportive groups.  Learn to be in the moment in practical ways. More info and newsletter sign up here or 301-996-8372.

Sandbox Explorations

A community of people dedicated to being more present and accountable in their lives. The group includes many from the DC-Balto area hosting events from meditation to dinners to sensual massage. Join sandboxexplorations@yahoogroups.com by emailing David Egan.

Yes! Circle

Margarita Rozenfeld leads visionary retreats and other gatherings for entrepreneurs to expand their dreams. Visit her calendar, or email her.

Cellular Expansion & Healing
Renny Sherrow uses this hands-on healing method to help cells release and re-organize so that uncontrolled patterns are shifted into desired experiences.  It provides loving support to nurture deepening trust in one’s life.  Click here, or contact Renny at 724-331-6616.

===============

DIRECTIONS

to our meeting place:
The home of Barra Kahn

6438 Lily Dhu Lane | Falls Church | VA | 22044

From the beltway (I-495), take Arlington Blvd. (US 50) eastbound toward Falls Church/Arlington.  in about 2 miles you will pass a McDonald’s (it’s off on the right on the service road).  Turn right at the next light, Annandale Rd.  Go 7/10 mile and turn left at the second light (Kerns Road).  Take Kerns through the light at Sleepy Hollow.  In a couple of blocks Kerns becomes Lily Dhu Lane.  Continue past the “dead end” sign.  The house, 6438 Lily Dhu Lane, is a few houses past that sign on your left.  Barra’s phone # is 703-786-7065.

– pg. 99, Dragon’s Play by Charles Belyea and Steven Tainer

1. We live in a vibrational universe.

2. Its simple geometry isn’t yet taught in mainstream science. Correctly understanding it would empower us.

3. We are of It, with It, and It.  In other words, we are created, we are also Creators.

4. A simple fractal system can describe us, and all scales of being.

5. At each scale, each system reaches for its own wholeness, and its own differentiation.  Each reaches to express its Highest Self.

6. The bridge to our wholeness (Highest Self) is in our core values.  So all core values matter; they all need to get included and attended to – at all scales.

7. Our fears, beliefs and triggers are opportunities to realize our core values.  They also reflect the greater whole.

8.  There are simple practices that can help us realize Highest Self through counter-balancing, full self-expression, integration, and giving the system more of itSelf.

9.  These principles apply, and can be tailored to, any scale of the system.

Then I found this passage, which I totally love, from Frater Achad, “Melchizidek Truth Principles”.

With loving blessings,
Maya-G (Gail)

“Knock beloved, the door shall be opened.  Seek! Ye shall find!  Ask and it shall be granted unto you, for the Great Oversoul of the Universe shall never place in your hand a serpent instead of a fish and neither shall the Great Oversoul of the Universe place in your hand a stone instead of bread.

“Within your consciousness is the well of Living Waters.  You have but to drink of it.  Truly it shall become the wine of Life unto your Souls.  Remember you are the Christ of God incarnate in the flesh.  You are the honored guest at the wedding of Cana.  Turn the water into wine, dear hearts.  Drink of it freely, for it shall cause the marrow of your bones to become rich, and the fiber of your body to become strong.

“Fear not to ask of the Great Creative Power man has learned to call God.  If you ask in small measure, in a small measure you shall receive.  Ask in abundance and abundance you shall receive. “