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avadSO much to tell it's hard to know where to begin. The first part of my recent adventure began with an invite from my networks and philanthropy 'mentor', Tom Munnecke to attend a Science and Spirituality Retreat for Architects, Engineers, and IT Professionals at a place called Peace Village in upstate NY.
I'd never been on a retreat before and I agreed with him that it seemed the perfect opportunity and atmosphere within which to meet in person for the first time. (He lives in CA but was coming to NY for this). He told me not to worry about the focus on these job titles, that I had gained 'honorary geek status' (through dedicated work/involvement and vision-sharing on Omidyar.net).
After a full day of bus travel and waiting and bus travel again, I arrived with my bags after dark at Peace Village and tiptoed into the in progress orientation room. Around 23 people seated in a wide circle, giving introductions one by one. Impressive credentials each one...and each coming from a somewhat stressful narrow 'job' focus, looking for a bit more meaning and balance. I was a bit nervous...but when it was my turn I simply introduced myself as an artist...and spoke a bit about my interest/involvement in the evolution of virtual architectures and sacred spaces...
After orientation it was time to turn in, but Tom wanted to talk a bit so we went to the dining area for a few hours. When I finally got to my room I unlocked it with the key and totally startled a poor woman already asleep inside! Neither of us had expected/known we would have a roomate- whoopsie! The initial awkwardness faded super-fast as we easily saw we were pretty perfectly paired. Silvana is about my same age and an artist turned architect and we ended up jabbering comfortably like sisters as I got ready for bed.
Days started early at the retreat. We all were to meet at 6:30 in the main hall for workshop/discussion and 'tai chi'. (ok, I have to admit this tai chi was nothing like what I'm used to...if only I could share a video peek of our session you'd all bust out laughing! Words fail. It would have made a a beautiful sit-com highlight. Picture tai chi sped up...with insane children's music and a group of somewhat conservative-looking adults earnestly trying to follow and do 'Power to the Tummy'. It's my speculation that the ever-smiling facilitator had worked mostly with young children before coming to the center and figured the same approach would be fine for adults. Hard to describe the offness. Totally charming and superfunny in an embarassing way. hoymoly.
Tom at the Singing Pond:
Delicious vegetarian meals every day. YUMMY stuff. Indian spices. mmmmmmmmmmsoooogoood
Oh but that's not the point! I digress! More to the point is that during the weekend I found that I could've talked easily for hours and hours with every single one of the retreat participants. We had discussions one on one and in small and larger groups...and each and every connection felt so intense and inspired. I think the atmosphere and the simple theme/intention of the retreat truly helped to encourage/evoke very focused and deep conversations. I loved it. There was much less meditation/quiet time than I expected but I could hardly complain because I just wanted to KNOW these people more and enjoyed every opportunity, though of course it was a bit overwhelming and exhausting for me as well (I'm used to a LOT of quiet time in my days...and here I had Very little). On Saturday evening Tom and I gave a presentation of BetterWorldIsland on SecondLife using his laptop. I told about my dream of Pier10 and about my hopes that more and more people will experiment with and utilize this growing medium of virtual worlds for its most positive potentials. Tom gave a walk-through of parts of the Island using his avatar.
Giving the demostration seemed to click the ideas we'd beeen bringing up in discussion into place and Tom and I were actually pretty delighted with the enthusiasm from the group. One of the things that also became clear to me and that I shared with the group as an example was that a virtual recreation of aspects of Peace Village would offer a meeting realm that all of them would have access to after returning to their 'regular lives'. (So many associated the retreat space with positive feelings that they were sad to 'leave behind'. A virtual space could help to trigger certain positive associations, be a mental 'retreat' memory palace...).
Group pic last day:
Again after all activities, Tom and I talked one on one for about an hour more. Inspired talk of evolution and future anticipation, network spaces and philanthropy, my hopes for the 10% Club and Pier10, his hopes for Uplift Academy and new currencies. All swirled and combined closer. The next morning he presented me with another invitation. Instead of going home, would I consider participating in a conference in Boston dealing with exactly these things, amongst a group of carefully selected invitees. I had less than 2 hours to decide.(!)
I would have to go unprepared...and with only the clothes I had with me (comfort based retreat clothes)...I was utterly exhausted and oversaturated and had been looking forward to 'processing' and catching up on sleep....but of course I had to say yes. Because nothing seemed more obvious that certain aspects of my Pier10 dream were coming true very fast. "it seemed i was on a board of sorts...meeting rooms...discussing and helping this evolve as a benevolent organism....."
This sort of thing seemed quite improbable years ago when I had the dream. Now I was walking right onto the set..:)! moral? Believe in your wildest dreams.(to be continued)
upcoming:
*Adventure Part 2:Conference in Cambridge
I'd never been on a retreat before and I agreed with him that it seemed the perfect opportunity and atmosphere within which to meet in person for the first time. (He lives in CA but was coming to NY for this). He told me not to worry about the focus on these job titles, that I had gained 'honorary geek status' (through dedicated work/involvement and vision-sharing on Omidyar.net).
After a full day of bus travel and waiting and bus travel again, I arrived with my bags after dark at Peace Village and tiptoed into the in progress orientation room. Around 23 people seated in a wide circle, giving introductions one by one. Impressive credentials each one...and each coming from a somewhat stressful narrow 'job' focus, looking for a bit more meaning and balance. I was a bit nervous...but when it was my turn I simply introduced myself as an artist...and spoke a bit about my interest/involvement in the evolution of virtual architectures and sacred spaces...
After orientation it was time to turn in, but Tom wanted to talk a bit so we went to the dining area for a few hours. When I finally got to my room I unlocked it with the key and totally startled a poor woman already asleep inside! Neither of us had expected/known we would have a roomate- whoopsie! The initial awkwardness faded super-fast as we easily saw we were pretty perfectly paired. Silvana is about my same age and an artist turned architect and we ended up jabbering comfortably like sisters as I got ready for bed.
Days started early at the retreat. We all were to meet at 6:30 in the main hall for workshop/discussion and 'tai chi'. (ok, I have to admit this tai chi was nothing like what I'm used to...if only I could share a video peek of our session you'd all bust out laughing! Words fail. It would have made a a beautiful sit-com highlight. Picture tai chi sped up...with insane children's music and a group of somewhat conservative-looking adults earnestly trying to follow and do 'Power to the Tummy'. It's my speculation that the ever-smiling facilitator had worked mostly with young children before coming to the center and figured the same approach would be fine for adults. Hard to describe the offness. Totally charming and superfunny in an embarassing way. hoymoly.
Tom at the Singing Pond:
Delicious vegetarian meals every day. YUMMY stuff. Indian spices. mmmmmmmmmmsoooogoood
Oh but that's not the point! I digress! More to the point is that during the weekend I found that I could've talked easily for hours and hours with every single one of the retreat participants. We had discussions one on one and in small and larger groups...and each and every connection felt so intense and inspired. I think the atmosphere and the simple theme/intention of the retreat truly helped to encourage/evoke very focused and deep conversations. I loved it. There was much less meditation/quiet time than I expected but I could hardly complain because I just wanted to KNOW these people more and enjoyed every opportunity, though of course it was a bit overwhelming and exhausting for me as well (I'm used to a LOT of quiet time in my days...and here I had Very little). On Saturday evening Tom and I gave a presentation of BetterWorldIsland on SecondLife using his laptop. I told about my dream of Pier10 and about my hopes that more and more people will experiment with and utilize this growing medium of virtual worlds for its most positive potentials. Tom gave a walk-through of parts of the Island using his avatar.
Giving the demostration seemed to click the ideas we'd beeen bringing up in discussion into place and Tom and I were actually pretty delighted with the enthusiasm from the group. One of the things that also became clear to me and that I shared with the group as an example was that a virtual recreation of aspects of Peace Village would offer a meeting realm that all of them would have access to after returning to their 'regular lives'. (So many associated the retreat space with positive feelings that they were sad to 'leave behind'. A virtual space could help to trigger certain positive associations, be a mental 'retreat' memory palace...).
Group pic last day:
Again after all activities, Tom and I talked one on one for about an hour more. Inspired talk of evolution and future anticipation, network spaces and philanthropy, my hopes for the 10% Club and Pier10, his hopes for Uplift Academy and new currencies. All swirled and combined closer. The next morning he presented me with another invitation. Instead of going home, would I consider participating in a conference in Boston dealing with exactly these things, amongst a group of carefully selected invitees. I had less than 2 hours to decide.(!)
I would have to go unprepared...and with only the clothes I had with me (comfort based retreat clothes)...I was utterly exhausted and oversaturated and had been looking forward to 'processing' and catching up on sleep....but of course I had to say yes. Because nothing seemed more obvious that certain aspects of my Pier10 dream were coming true very fast. "it seemed i was on a board of sorts...meeting rooms...discussing and helping this evolve as a benevolent organism....."
This sort of thing seemed quite improbable years ago when I had the dream. Now I was walking right onto the set..:)! moral? Believe in your wildest dreams.(to be continued)
upcoming:
*Adventure Part 2:Conference in Cambridge
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Date: 2005-11-28 02:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-28 08:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 11:48 am (UTC)Found your journal through your comments on
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Date: 2005-11-30 09:33 pm (UTC)sounds really wonderful. resonating with the good vibes up here in b-day land. seems like you've got a lot to absorb/sort through; the post-precipitation is the most surprising, when you think you've got a handle on it and new insight pop up later. i believe in your wildest dreams. i would add: tell others about them. many invisible hands make light(er) work!