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WHAT - DO WE (We Is Anyone Who Convenes a Group) DO AT A LOVING POLITICS MEETING?
At the beginning of a meeting we center ourselves through meditation or prayer or journaling, composing music or drawing, or through some quiet physical activity such as a martial art, yoga, or Pilates. We take turns giving one another equal turns to think silently and out loud about politics and life on Earth and to experience emotion (rather than discount, ignore, deny, or bury it). We ask only one question, "What are you thinking?" We work in pairs and small groups as well as in large groups - one goal—1000 of us at a time at, in the same location (arena), working with loving diligence in pairs. We do exchanges for five or ten minutes, 30 minutes or an hour. (The pamphlet explains "what" we do in detail. Please download it now.)
WHY - DO WE DO IT THIS WAY?
A centering activity is essential; it quiets the mind so that we can sense ourselves. Equal-time is essential; it's one way of declaring that each of us is precious. The degree of attention we give one another is essential: when we KNOW we're receiving focused, non-interrupting attention our thoughts and emotions begin to flow and self-consciousness and uncertainty fade. Stimulated by the attention, our minds come alive.
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WHEN and WHERE - DO WE PRACTICE LOVING POLITICS?
Whenever we find at least one person (family member, friend, political ally and acquaintance, etc.) who wants to: (1) exchange time, (2) think, and (3) take feelings and emotions seriously.
Gatherings can be in the form of support groups and workshops. They can be held in living rooms and back yards, local parks, restaurants, and coffee shops, and at your local mosque, temple, church, business, society, senior center, or club meeting room.
The pamphlet is a guide to practice and to organizing our own gatherings.
Loving-Politics practice is not rocket science!!!! It's relearning how to notice and thoughtfully experience our feelings and how to allow unconsciously stored emotion and the thoughts and memories associated with this emotion to surface for review and contemplation.
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