The Beginnings
Partly inspired by attending MIT sponsored dialogue Circles and the book Circle of Stones by Judith Duerk in which she poses the question:
"How might your life have been different if there had been a place for you? A place for you to go...a place of women, to help you learn the ways of woman…a place where you were nurtured from an ancient flow sustaining you and steadying you as you sought to become yourself. A place of women to help you find and trust the ancient flow already there within yourself…waiting to be released."
This not-for-profit endeavor was inspired by Sarita and Stephanie’s wondering, "How would the lives of women around the world be different if they had the experience of being a part of a women's circle?"
BeComing was created as a gift, an offering we hoped would make a difference in individuals lives as well as in the collect field of our culture. We embarked on BeComing: Women's Circles Women's Lives because we wanted to demonstrate the power of a different kind of conversation to give voice to the emerging new collective story, a culture that sustains us and the earth.
Theologian Thomas Berry wrote, in The Dream of the Earth, "We are between stories. The old story, the account of how the world came to be and how we fit into it, is no longer effective. Yet we have not learned the new story." We are in a state of becoming. Crafting a new story, whether it is at the individual or collective level, has everything to do with creating contexts for people to talk deeply with each other about what gives meaning to their lives. Circles are places women and men alike are turning to discover and tell the truth of their own experiences; they listen to the deep source of instinctual wisdom within themselves and support one another in living meaningful lives.
The Documentary
Flow of video:
- [00:00] Opening & Context
- [05:00] Check-in
- [11:00] Dialogue: Identity
- [16:00] Dialogue: Tension in the Circle
- [20:00] Dialogue: Commitment to Circle
- [22:00] Dialogue: Death
- [27:00] Dialogue: Sensuality & Sexuality
- [32:00] Reflection: Ritual & Holding
- [35:00] Reflections: Conflicts & Gifts of Being in Circle
- [44:00] Check-out
- [46:00] Closing Thoughts
- [51:00] Behind the Scenes: The Women's Reflections
While supplies last, to request copies of DVD of BeComing, contact Metalens@mac.com. Copies available for cost of shipping.
The Evolution
Chakra celebrates 20 years
At the 20-year mark, Andrea and Teresa, created a retrospective of pictures from our history. This gives us a window into our unfolding journey.
What do we envision for the future?
It seems clear to us that we have, in some ways, become family, intertwined for life. We have attended each other’s weddings, birthdays, parent’s and partner’s deaths, children’s births. We remain committed, in life and in death to be in relationship with one another, gathering in circle and now virtually, as our stories continue to evolve.
Our Heartfelt Gratitude
We want to thank our funders:
The Fetzer Institute and Institute of Noetic Sciences for the exemplary work they are doing in collective consciousness Virginia Gilmore for believing in the value of BeComing enough to help fund its creation.
Ginny Duncan for her philanthropic midwifery, few donors know how to gift with their spirit as well, a deep bow to you.
Jane Winslow and her crew, as well as Pat Perrini and her crew for your craft and casting the spell that let us forget you were there.
Michael Jones for the gift his friendship and musical and accompaniment on our journey.
Many, many individual donors and friends who gave of their support in so many currencies over the years of BeComings creation.
The Women of Chakra and the Chakra Being, that have graced this work with their authenticity, their stories and the opening of their souls.