Category: ‘Life Paradigms’ Blog
The Art of… Job Hunt {Day 0.}
After diaries of the w(Hole) from within Sisters Academy, I want to continue sharing…now from my journey of job-hunting.
Back home now, in transition, on the crossroads, with friends. I want to help this law of attraction and find en employer/project collaborators. Will you help? {Day 0.} here we go.
{Day 0 and a half.}
I have some ideas about initial directions and people to contact. Well, most of them are not actually initial, but continuous, just with new perspectives after my recent experiences. Here is the first overview.
I want to – and need to – continue organizing and leading workshops at Tinkuy: Workshop and Interactive Ritual (#4): “100 Faces of ‘each-other’ “ . And more than that. Now I also feel that intuitive tantra massage sessions need to manifest, also to explore how it can serve people (and me) in this context.
My life journey paths want to keep exploring sustainability on different levels. Part of that is surrounding myself with nutritious food, people, spaces, brands. I want to support initiatives and companies by using them and spreading word about them. First step would be research/update on which socially responsible bank to change to, what’s going on with Alternativet party, Tinkuy movement and local organizations helping refugees. I will start from writing to Madeline, Johan and Jacob.
Recycling projects. Sometimes, it feels a little glamorous to turn recycling into a ritual https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN6ds6WuiSI. I will contact Peter and Kathrine. Guldminen in Vasbygade is a place I will be following, no matter if I will get official invitation to participate. The answers will come tomorrow. And below is the proof that my passion overlaps with needs from Københavns Kommune:
http://sharingcopenhagen.dk/media/711944/invi_workshop-designkonkurrence.pdf (old deadline, but new project, so would be interesting to find a winner and see if I can contribute somehow…)
contact person in Teknik- og Miljøforvaltningen, Njalsgade 13, 2300 København S: cw19@tmf.kk.dk
Ditte Maria Vestergaard Hansen and Kathrine Overgaard Rasmussen (also from Guldminen)
http://www.kk.dk/meresortering (a new project with deadline 3 Nov.)
Teaching interactive performance at schools to make use of money I got from Statens Kunstfond.
The Art of…TEACHING. Where and how to push this New Education {Lesson 2}
I am so lucky. Since late winter developing and constantly (re)shaping my poetic self as a staff member of Sisters Academy* that will open for students and researching teachers in 2015 in Malmo and late summer 2017 in Copenhagen. I can use art – an interactive performance universe – as a method and an entry point for research on alternative approaches to education. I can, through being a performer, explore what it feels and means to be a teacher and an activist (here is blog written by me as Academy staff). I can keep designing my life journey in a more creative and holistic way. That’s why I am lucky. And I want to share it. I am reeducating myself, filling important gaps school didn’t find important to teach. So I have to do that myself.
My adult life journey as a second education. Together with others. Through interaction. Cause we all have to fill our own gaps. For example what is value in and ways for real Intimacy. Sexuality. Responsibility… for yourself and others. Cooperation. Conscious leadership. Authentic Communication. Life. I am so curious what your second education would be. What holes to fill for you to make you into a more whole being.
I have some ideas. And even more questions. Let’s start here, it’s good.
If it’s true that the majority of educational models is based on old paradigms, let’s build awareness around it and experiment with new models. But without criticizing and pointing fingers – this is not a constructive activism. Let’s instead acknowledge that this (still used) old model was probably built on expertise, innovative ideas and best intentions to fit current needs. Back then.
But wow it’s time to redefine and transform. Cause – as Ken Robinson explains in the film – this mindset of ‘degree-leads-to-job’ is not valid anymore. And there’s a growing common belief amongst pupils that school distracts them from what is really important or interesting for them in life, instead of supporting and enhancing it. We maybe feel that in present times there’s a need for different skills and values. Cause we have long moved forward from intellectual culture of the Enlightenment and economic situation of the Industrial Revolution. Human value and social class is still judged according to a specific view of the mind: academic (smart) vs. non-academic (not so smart). The film mentions ADHD as a modern fictitious epidemic, and an unfortunately common practice of curing it is hurting brilliant or potentially brilliant people…by numbing them to make them more focused at school.
Deadening also pupils’ ability for untamed aesthetic experience – experience often provided by art.** – where “senses are operating at their peak; where one is being present in a current moment; one is fully alive(…)”.
I agree that schools’ real mission is awakening pupils to their full potential, instead of ‘shhh’-ing them when distracted or “too” energetic.
I also agree that best learning happens in groups, so atomizing*** people is artificial and failing to give any real evaluation, Therefore more sensuous education for me means one that supports wholeness …of being, of experiencing. The sensuous is what Sisters Academy will manifest and research on.
>>>>>><<<<<<<<>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<>>>>>>>><<<<<>>>>>>
Here is another take on the future of education and I feel inspired to quote below the author’s points (****) as many overlap with my own approach to workshops I myself design …
INNER-PRENEURSHIP
EDUCATION TO UNLEASH HUMAN POTENTIAL
Personal development and individual growth will become the cornerstone of any educational program.
GLOCAL AGENTS
CONTRIBUTING TO OUR GLOBAL VILLAGE
(…) the ability to think and act systemically and understand the interdependence of our global village,
VISUAL THINKING
EXPERIENCING LEARNING IN NEW WAYS
Cognition and our capacity to understand new ideas and concepts will become a highly sensitory and engaging experience. We no longer need just to “think” about an idea.
FUTURE THINKING
USING THE FUTURE AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR THE PRESENT
Unpredictability will make future thinking an increasingly relevant skill (…) Being able to imagine, envision and forecast future landscapes
SOCIAL LEARNING
THE POWER OF THE COLLECTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Information is accessible as ever before. (…) learning is becoming by essence a highly social and collective experience. Education will play an influential role in helping us learn how to communicate better and use the power of language to establish dialogue with others in a generative manner.
CONNECTIONS OVER MEMORY
LEARNING HOW TO LEARN
More than requiring us to memorize and retain data, education will be responsible for helping us master the art of learning how to learn. In a world where everything we need to know is just out there, the (new) ability is to make connections between bits of data and consciously explore and navigate complex waves of information.
BETTER FASTER DECISION MAKING
CURATING DATA THAT DRIVES BETTER CHOICES
Being capable of rapidly curate and synthesize information and transform it into applied knowledge (…) New digital tools and mental processes will help us filter and distinguish relevant content from just noise.
ONGOING LEARNING
EDUCATION AS A CONTINUOUS PRACTISE THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES
Just like health, wellness or spirituality, education will be a continuous journey throughout our entire lives. The capacity to design and implement long term sustainable learning experiences will be a relevant competence.
LEARNING FOR ELDERS
PROVIDING AND SUPPORTING HIGH QUALITY LEARNING AFTER RETIREMENT
What it means to age and what you do with your late life will change. Elders will be eager and hungry to learn new things and gain new perspectives
VIRTUAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE
A NEW LONG DISTANCE LEARNING LANDSCAPE Advancements within the virtual reality wave (…) a new long-distance educational landscape to emerge, allowing us to provide and receive content in a highly engaging and participatory way.
CLOSE TO NATURE
THE CLASSROOM OF THE FUTURE IS JUST OUT THERE
Being close to nature helps us, human beings, be more relaxed, focused (…) The closer we get to our screens, the closer we need to get back to the natural environment.
PLAYFULNESS
HAVING FUN IS SERIOUS BUSINESS
Our bodies will be the platform where effective learning takes place
EQUALITY WARRIORS
CREATING A MORE JUST AND FLOURISHING WORLD
Our planet is becoming increasingly divided as it is interconnected. Education will need to rethink its purpose and see itself as the answer to the creation of a more just and fair world. Educational institutions will have the responsibility to take a stand for their values, and the obligation to prepare, educate and train change makers
RADICAL INCLUSION
FINALLY, EDUCATION AS AN EFFECTIVE HUMAN RIGHT
making education more accessible to large population groups that only a few decades ago were impoverished and abandoned. Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality.
CO EXISTANCE
LIVING, CREATING AND THRIVING, TOGETHER
Our world is becoming increasingly diverse (…) Learning how to to collaborate and thrive together will be a determinant factor for success in organizations, communities and societies. Education will play a relevant role in helping new generations be more empathetic, tolerant , caring and appreciative of diversity and difference, and understand it as an asset for progress and development.
Very interesting visions! I see it as a contemporary reflection on new values and education’s important role to emphasize them: inclusion; engagement; sustainable, life-long learning; “breeding” responsible change-makers, nature; virtual learning; playfulness, more… I am happy for seeing such a transformative direction. I also want to contribute to push it forward. And I know many that want the same. And they do. We do. And it’s contagious 🙂
It is, though, important, I feel, to start from the beginning. And at the beginning are the above mentioned values, not methods or content. One can teach playfulness, effective communication skills, virtual technology or tantra, but it is values that make us use those skills in a specific way. And such awareness, values and real motivations for our actions are my point “0”. Old paradigms, myths, separation, limitations to personal expression, unhealthy competition mindset and ego patterns can only transform if we first start educating with values – not techniques – as an entry point.
I keep changing my mind and seeing more angles to it. And I will keep you updated.
** I want to by the way extend this palette of sources for aesthetic experience to include for example mindfulness, games, tantra, but not in this article.
*** …well, atomizing anything is artificial – I believe – it’s my own take on quantum mechanics (going beyond fragmentation). A reflection not for this article, though.
Nature (inside of me) and Tantra
Nature around me and suddenly thinking Tantra… Tantric way – isn’t it, in a wider sense, nurturing sustainable relationship to life? Everyday discipline of love, towards oneself, towards others, towards reality, the way it is, without trying to change it.
I just came back from 29 hours in the forest, landing at 10 a.m. in Hareskov by my regular wild shelter, discovering again that all is as it was, so I can stay, occupy it, manifesting my annual ritual of sleeping under the sky in a late spring in Denmark. Staying present, creative and powerful without shortcuts works best in the morning, relaxed, before eating or other pleasurous distractions.
So I set my breakfast-alarm in 20 min, which extended into 3 hours, as it felt as the rightest thing to do to feed my powers of ‘just be’, or just connect to sth truer. Thoughts are always there (they judge all the time, all seek pleasure, want to always choose the best or they get restless when not doing something “effective”) and I guess I need to accept this personality/ego creature will be my companion all my life. After getting a feedback that I attach myself too much to perceptions, stories, I decided at this point it is the most important focus: to accept the ego, but keep reminding myself that it’s not me + that all is dynamic, and all that matters is in here&now. Feels a bit resistant to say this, cause it sounds like a spiritual broken record, but for now, I have not been able to deny its sense or find equally truthful, yet easier way to make this life-journey precious in a long term.
So I walked for hours without plan, “wasting time” (ego) or rather creating “empty time”, practicing this love approach called “as long as it takes”, being also impatient or annoyed, being also present and grateful…and scared: “will it always be so hard?”.
When time becomes less accumulated, there’s space for noticing that in the blossoming spring young leaves are very soft and have all this psychedelic juicy light green color, as if most of the trees were the same species. I had a lot of time to discover that the lake where I camp has a lot of water snakes, which reminds me that in this dance with life we often have to accept that we don’t know (whether sth is dangerous or harmless for example). I also noticed that their graceful wavy movements are to the sides, and not up&down like mermaids do.
The more I dwelled in this no-purpose wandering, the more I felt comfortable confronting people I met on my way. More curious in interviewing, more courageous in prolonged eye-gazing with strangers, more radiant and self-confident doing what I want, without fearing to be perceived as weird. Sitting like an elf entangled in tree roots’ hugs by the common bike-lane, or just standing and staring long at LARPers like a stalker – all this felt more authentic when in this state of mind that remembers that we can be and do what we want and no personality or role is sticky, cause all of them are equally (un)true or equally important.
The night was cold and magical. This forest have been witnessing a lot of suffering, joy and transformations in me throughout years. I pay tribute, also to various others that shared those moments with me there.
The Art of…LEADERSHIP : becoming a teacher again. initial steps. initial thoughts. {Lesson 1}
The process of developing classes is like (re)creating myself. A ritual and research that already started when I said yes to the project. Here are some initial thoughts on the journey with Sisters Academy*.
I am interested in dedicated, extended processes in a group, like long-term relationships, like Club de la Faye’s ‘Rituel du Papillon’ project, like Pina Bausch worked with her family of dancers, like Frank recording an album. Where the unique inner culture is shaped, where unwritten law is clear to everyone that everyone feels responsibility to hop into a leader’s role when needed; where everyone understands that we all have to get a little bit wilder…and a little bit honest, de-sweetening our relationships.
I want to put myself occasionally in a vulnerable position to grow together with my students. I want to occasionally become their pupil. I want to empower them and let go, wishing they will become better than me.
My intention is to be contagious with what I have to offer. And what inspires others depends mostly on them. And I want them to understand that. Understand that it takes two to tango. That we should always take active part, even as receivers, followers, audience. And remember that it’s everyone’s job to share their treasures with the world without hiding behind ‘un-readiness’, behind “not an expert”, or “who am I to teach you anything”. Stay humble, but be powerful. And use it for something good.
There’s tens of ways of serving. Sometimes we have to just shut up and listen, sometimes we need to question and shake somebody back to the right track, sometimes we need to play, touch or seduce someone, because (s)he needs to get into the body. Sometimes harsh feedback. Sometimes unconditional love.
I want students to reflect not only by answering, but by asking others good questions, really seeing each other. To faster get under the surface.
I feel I need to stay aware that I might impose on students my way of perception, expression, interaction, evaluation.
‘Sensous’ for me means integral. A healthy balance to one-sidedness of rational education, where the Head rules and deprives of juice.
I am inspired to work with different energies in connecting to space and each other.
Prioritizing variety also accidentally helped me solve the dilemma: “should I teach what I am already good at OR should I design and try out something new again?” And now I know: I need to bring both to play, 2 different classes, 2 different focuses. And one joker. Like my name is still a joker. And my alternative child that has been conceived, but when it comes to the world and in which form is yet unknown. At this stage of the process, I will call myself “the (w)Hole”.
The (w)Hole, slowly finding her child…
* you can still enroll as a student or a researching teacher at the Academy 30 August – 20 September 2015 in Malmo, Sweden. Stay from 24 hours up till 3 weeks: http://booking.sistersacademymalmo.se
on showing oneself. {blogging, life stories, secrets and trivialities}
Breaking the silence. I have been given many precious lessons in courage by Club de la Faye and Crazy Wisdoms of the New Tantra. It’s time to start sharing experience and present different perspectives for the sake of breaking myths and prejudices (also about oneself). One can call it exhibitionism, another generosity…or maybe it’s just humility?
I’ve been thinking about things that prevent me from sharing experiences, life-stories and perspectives unless asked. They are so locked between my private world and closest friends. Realized what has been taming my expression, holding myself back:
-“It has to be perfect/checked/look good before I express”
I refuse to do that anymore. I can build credibility in other ways…and I will. Generalists don’t have time for polishing details.
-“I need to ask people or institutions if I can mention them in my text”
No. It’s my dynamic, non-proportional* virtual universe of free speech and subjective experiences. As, I said, it’s mine, nothing to do with objective truths.
-“I need to be careful what I expose about my private life”
Yes, to some extent. All in all, it’s more a question of a higher purpose of sharing.
-“I can’t speak good theory and inspire others if I don’t live it myself fully or not an expert” Oh yes, I can. And I should. Too many treasures are held back because they are not “good enough” yet.
Often bringing new light to old classics or collecting existing treasures is bigger an art than creating new things.Besides, don’t we all hear that nobody creates sth completely new? A.Jodorowsky might be right to quote: “In art, he who is no one’s child is a son of a bitch.” So why pretend? Fuck patents. Share, steal and customize. Give credit to your influencers. Silently is also fine.
So if I don’t reference a quote, an idea-initiator, an inspiration-source or a photo author, forgive in advance. Most of the times it’s a conscious choice. You are always welcome to poke me with a reminder.
I have limited resources. And I respect my energy. I recommend you use yours well, too. Hope some of my blog inspires you. And thank you all out there who inspire(d) me.
*dynamic, because frozen words are only fresh for a new reader, never fresh again for me (read: everything is only here and now); non-proportional, cause I allow myself with joy to sometimes put enormous focus on trivial things and trivialize the biggest life events.
On modern myths (of value)
I felt inspired to look at some modern myths that many live by and measure value against. I want to walk another path. Or at least become aware, so I see traps and alternatives and therefore can choose more freely…
*A myth of speed.
The value of speed is an unquestioned king, but I feel we really need to do things in our own tempo… and with our own filters…We feel a constant pressure to keep up pace, not only in business and innovation, also in bed and self development.
With “staying updated” as a measure of surviving in an extending world with ocean of choices , FOMO (fear of missing out) strengthens its roots. Wanting to get fast from A to B, we miss a lot of beauty and nuances in transition periods and transition places.
*posture up, girl, boy!
It was Frank Chimero that wrote about ‘methodology of speed’, but I really liked more he had to say: “Holding yourself together is a weird sort of performance, the kind of thing that makes you feel lonely in the first place, even if you’re all together in the same room, feeling the same thing. You want to believe it, but you just can’t be sure. (…)”*
In a group I worked with for years, I would often hide the fact that I am not good enough yet, not prepared enough, not dedicated enough, so I would create a distance of “proffessionalism” to keep an image and avoid being challenged. It took some honesty to come to discover that we were all feeling a bit lonely for years, putting exactly the same show for each other.
How much richer my life is now after changing my mindset and starting to appreciate be vulnerable, more honest and challenge each other to grow together.
*obligation to clarity
Inspired by Eugenio Barba, who writes:
“One of the most refined totalitarianisms of our time is the obligation to clarity, the disdain for the state of I-do-not-understand, the shared devaluation of the feeling of incomprehension whose secret effects prompt decisive choices in our life. The cult of clarity, which served to enlighten minds, serves today also to darken them.
Every time we turn on the television, open a newspaper or listen to a politician or an expert, the world is presented to us as something that has been understood and can be explained. Every piece of information depicts facts coherently interpreted and commented, ready to be classified; or else exposes the impatient waiting for the solution of the enigmas of politics and news stories. There must be an explanation.
If it is late in coming, the event will in time end among the refuse of unexplained news, and thereby destined to extinction. Anyone who speaks or writes fears above all not to be clear. The need to be understood impels us to censor our reactions and feelings which we are unable to understand in depth. Even in linguistic behavior, the expressions that cannot be clearly translated from one language into another are discarded.
The gift of clarity loses vigor and sense when it buries the gift of ambiguity and the sensation of not seizing everything.” **
*only experts have a voice
…and it’s them both finding problems and deciding which of the problems get bold. By the way, talking about experts, Laurie is a great society critic… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvhfSH9CbCw
*unmeasurable value is not a value.
Wasn’t it that also sociology had once hard time to prove its academic worth and that’s why it started to apply scientific methods copied from natural sciences? The quantitative is easier, more statistical, therefore more creditable, so it rules out the qualitative. I’ve been always more interested in grey zones, the mysterious, the fuzzy. But I couldn’t explain it, so I wouldn’t speak. And as much as it’s a treasure for poetry, art or storytelling, in a business world somehow one always has to hide the I-DO-NOT-KNOW to avoid being discredited as doubtful negotiator or unserious salesman.
*trust brands, ignore the rest
we are sheep creating inequalities and killing variety. Non-branded products often come with the same quality as big brands, and are often more socially-oriented. But we don’t take time (and risk?) to research, find new treasures on our own and spread the bug. We are busy observing how others do it… and follow. At the same time, we have this buzzing dream of being original. Well, good that it’s also there, it a drive for change.
*charisma belongs to the extraordinary.
No! It’s actually needed in everyday life whenever we interact or create something together.
What is for example value in a good project manager? Whenever I was multitasking coordinating a performance, a creative event, a fundraising campaign, I would spend a lot of energy on things that no one described for me as important. But I am telling you, it’s not enough to be prepared for the meeting with thorough research results or creative ideas I brainstormed on my own. It’s actually during face-to-face meeting where the real skills are put to a play.
Presence, good, contageous energy of belief and self-confidence, social skills, authenticity, attractiveness and responsibility. Responsibility for one’s own capabilities, aspirations and boundaries, for seeing things clearly as they are without illusions, yet still feeding enchantment…a driving force for cooperation. More: honesty, passion and leading by example. And from there a smart balance between feeling into the group and keeping deadlines. Those skills are not part of the contract, but they are worth a lot…and can be more draining than subject matter. My intention is to start drawing people’s awareness to this angle to make them maybe reconsider the definition of value.
*worship of productivity
…and guilt that follows
I don’t always want to be clear, professional and detail-oriented, there’s no time for that. I prefer to be dynamic and appealing!
It’s also performance art I co-created with Club de la Faye and SIGNA that reconvinced me deeply in that showing backstage on the stage can embrace magic. Playing with reality vs fiction, bringing absurdity, imperfection and chaos can create the most inspiring interactions.
And if I was waiting to become perfect before I show myself, you wouldn’t be reading this blog before I polish my style. Otherwise how can you witness how I develop?