With civilization's political and commercial development, however, the role of elder authority seems gradually to have diminished. The how and why of changes that have silenced the elder voice--the voice of compassionate wisdom--is a topic that has held my attention for some time. I believe that the rapidly growing population of older persons worldwide (the global "age wave"), and the increasing threat to Earth's ability to sustain future generations, set the stage for the return of a meaningful Elder Presence.
"Earth Elders" is a newly emerging national networking and educational organization dedicated to honoring aging, elders, and Earth. It was founded in 1998 in Sonoma County, California, and is a project of New College of California (North Bay), a 501(c)(3) educational institution. Persons who call themselves Earth Elders care about the restoration and sustainability of Earth's ecosystems, upon which our very lives depend.
Our culture's current strategy seems so curiously opposed to our own survival--in fact, the survival of any species--that an objective view from the cosmos would have us appear to be quite suicidal. As Pogo said: "We have met the enemy and they are us." I feel certain that if more and more elders join together, with a willingness to take on responsibility for their common wisdom, we can strengthen what I have called "a mature lust for sanity." We must ask ourselves why it is that we have lost touch with the fundamentals of our own survival (or has this kind of sanity always been an illusive myth)?
Persons and organizations in contemporary society almost never develop the quality of attention necessary to test whether their purposes, strategies, and actual behaviors are congruent with one another. Thus, for all the vaunted "rationality" of modern bureaucratic organizing and of "economic" man, it should not surprise us that we experienced the twentieth century pre-eminently as an era of grotesque incongruities between espoused strategics and actual effects. [Torbert, William (1981, p. 437) Human Inquiry, John Wiley & Son, New York.]
In this current vacuum of forethought, Earth Elders call upon midlife and older persons not only to care about the sustainability of Earth, and the children, but to join together as a force for change. As the global market economy and industrial technology continue to gain ascendance in all aspects of the human experience, we lose an entire world--the children's world, which was entrusted to our safekeeping whether we believe it or not. And since we are creations of that more pristine world, we must realize that our tolerance for pollution in the family nest is an abdication of this sacred trust. At the same time, I am reminded of this statement by Martin Heidegger: "Everything works. That is precisely what is uncanny; that it works and that the working drives on ever further to a broader functioning, and that the technology more and more rips and uproots humanity from the earth."
On Sunday, August 1st, 1999, Earth Elders called into being its first Circle of Elders. Over the course of that first afternoon gathering, at New College of California in Santa Rosa, the twenty-five or so elders (of all ages) who showed up were soon engaged in a search for new understanding. We explored definitions and meanings of traditional Eldering in different cultures. We talked about a shared sense of need for an Elder Presence in the Twenty-First Century. In retrospect, the central emerging question seemed to be: How can elders gathering in circles like this help to create a sustainable future for the children?
Since that first afternoon our circles have evolved out of the interests and offerings (the prima materia) of those elders who have shown up. The courageous members of this growing group of chronological and spiritual elders have a great deal to offer as individuals; and, together, they are beginning to reach beyond themselves into the powerful realm of Community. Our strength stems from the life experience and wisdom, the honest, well developed uniqueness, that each of us brings to the collective--a blend of flavors that we are learning to savor. Over the past five months, a Circle of Elders protocol has emerged out of the give and take of our communication about purpose and what does and doesn't work. We begin with a moment of silence followed by this statement: "Welcome to this Circle of Elders. Our intentions are simple, but profound. Together we will create Sacred Space--a circle of safety where compassion and truth-telling can happen in harmony--where the medicine of honest communication with our peers may be taken in large doses. We are here to both give and receive wisdom, and to honor all of Earth, and one another, as Sacred." [Saip, Rabon Delmore, Circle Chair and Steering Council member, Earth Elders.]
After this statement we ask for brief one minute announcements: relevant causes, coming events, and requests for volunteers from those around the circle. We further set our intention with an opening ritual, usually in a standing, hand-holding circle. We invite the presence of Spirit, and Elders from the past, to join us. We use prayer, poetry, visualization, or brief interactive exercises. Our openings vary, but our focus remains on a deepening, inclusive consciousness that emphasizes sacred space, where we practice rigorous honesty tempered with loving kindness and pay homage to Earth, elders, and a sustainable future.
Next, since one of our primary goals is to provide a place where elders can be seen and heard, we go around the circle for brief introductions. This allows everyone present to hear a little something about everyone else. One thing that has become apparent in these monthly gatherings is the tendency of many of us to go on and on. And, with an average of twenty-five to thirty people showing up for each circle, unlimited check-ins could take all day. Therefore, strict timekeeping is observed. Given the challenge of delivering announcements and introductions in a limited time frame, we are inclined to focus on the most important information. Besides, we will have further opportunity for sharing ourselves in small groups and in our concluding full circle discussion.
Thus far, a slowly growing number of returning elders are creating a core Circle of Elders and a few are occasional or first time participants. What the future holds, I believe, is best determined by our capacity to dwell in the mystery of our questions, without the need for desperately seeking answers. Whatever emerges is then the property of the Community. A number of terms can be used to loosely describe this way of being together: dialogue group, brain storm, action inquiry, collaborative learning community, and so on. This kind of exploratory freedom seems to work quite well with elders who gather to share their wisdom and life experience.
Our questions for small group discussion have been fairly general, meant to stimulate group interaction and for us to become more familiar with one another. Examples are: How do we prepare to become Elders in the Twenty-First Century? What is an Elder anyway? What do Elders do? How are Elders related to Sacred Space? What is Sacred Space? What actions can we take to both heal ourselves and Earth? After a half hour to forty-five minutes in random discussion groups of five or six, we reconvene in our large circle for small group check-in and general discussion. As our closing time approaches, after roughly two hours, we stand in our hand-holding circle again and invite closing ritual. I usually have a quote or brief prayer that comes to mind, but also invite others to participate. We then adjourn to a buffet of goodies and informal conversation.
The resources that a Circle of Elders may provide the community depends upon the elders reaching out and the willingness of others to join hands. Our current projects are too numerous to mention here, but our presence in the community is definitely making a difference. I must say, however, that the greatest beneficiaries are already in the circle, sharing the affirmation and wisdom of a lifetime of learning with one another. Even though many in the circle lead busy lives, the mutual support of being seen and heard by their peers is a strong calling. Sometimes, in a brief moment of silence, the joy and power of our collective soul becomes an almost palpable experience.
Earth Elders invites readers to consider "Growing a Circle of Elders" in their own community, to join the growing network of Earth Elders around the globe. For more information about Earth Elders and/or starting a Circle of Elders, call 707-573-6070 or e-mail us at [email protected] or visit us at http://www.earthelders.org.
For most of his adult life (he's now sixty-four), Rabon Delmore Saip was a visually impaired woodworker/artist. In 1991, he discovered that a large monitor and computer technology could provide him a window into the academic world he had been missing, and he is now just a dissertation away from earning his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He also enjoys facilitating the adult Learning Community model of education as volunteer faculty at Sonoma State University.
©2000* Talking Leaves
Spring/Summer 2000
Volume 10, Number 1
Listening to Elders and Children