This entry was supposed to be about Godwriting workshops
First thing on my mind in the morning usually is: "What does God have to say this morning?" I just have to know! I'm kind of like people who love to read the morning newspaper and have their first cup of coffee. I've just got to read today's Heavenletter!
Then, just as eagerly, I go to the forum. "What do Heavenreaders have to say about this Heavenletter?" It's kind of like having that satisfying second cup of coffee.
Then I rush to this blog. "What do blogreaders have to say this morning?" This is the cup of coffee I can take my time with, kinda smoke a cigarette with it, as I find out what you have to say.
What you write is not only interesting to me but also important and valuable. For one thing, from your thoughts and your openness, I learn so much. I learn where you're coming from, and I notice more where I'm coming from. You really further my thoughts and help me to become clearer.
A few recent blogs have been about Godwriting™ workshops, about the subtle way I see their delivery, and how I feel it's necessary for Godwriters who want to help other people learn to Godwrite go through some training before I would feel secure about their giving Godwriting workshops. I'm not doing so well in getting where I'm coming from across! I'm not doing well at it at all!
I've had this a lot in my life. A lot. I'm not good at getting across where I'm coming from.
You may remember how my style of teaching English was not typical, and how it was hard for my principal to see what I was doing. He knew only a direct approach. My orientation was entirely different. He knew teaching as following a textbook. I didn't even like the word textbook! I sure didn't want to follow some cut and dried textbook as if a textbook knew the hearts of children.
Teaching for me never was about: "Today we are going to learn nouns and verbs." I didn't give definitions. I didn't think definitions were any good at all. It was more that we did some processes at the end of which the children understood nouns and verbs, and then I could say: "Now you have learned nouns and verbs."
Then the children knew parts of speech somehow as something meaningful to them, not just grammar that you had to learn, but something that mattered and was close to them.
It took me a long time to understand that my approach was different, that my thinking was different. I didn't understand why everyone didn't see the way I did because it was so obvious to me. Now I have more of an idea. I was and am a divergent right brain thinker. I didn't even know the words right brain back then.
My teaching was circuitous. It sure didn't go in a straight line.
When it comes to Godwriting workshops, I don't teach at all. I don't try to teach. I don't think Godwriting can be taught. There is no 1, 2, 3 about it. Godwriting can be discovered. It can be brought out.
The way I see it, if Godwriting workshops were sewing workshops, we sure wouldn't be sewing straight seams. We would be doing embroidery and going round and round sort of in a helix pattern.
So tomorrow I will get down to responding more directly about why I feel that someone who Godwrites just can't go out and give Godwriting workshops.
Of course, all I can do is tell you how I see it. No one has to agree. But can someone help me out and say in his or her own words what I've been trying to say in the recent blog entries about Godwriting workshops?
Comments
I have not attended a workshop, but what I've understood is that, like you said, Godwriting is not taught. More, you are sharing the process, the act of opening to hearing Godde's words. Everyone can do this, some spontaneously and many more with a workshop leader who is able to an atmosphere conducive to Godwriting.
Everyone leaves able to Godwrite for themselves. To be able to conduct Godwriting workshops is another process altogether, and a very great responsibility.
Gloria, I've read your explanations and I have to go right back to the Bible--you, the one who is responsible for passing the wand, so to speak, must "test the spirit by the spirit."
One is there, Jack would be a wonderful workshop leader, Berit comes to mind first thing as well. Responsible, loving, and coming from the right heart. These are the requirements far more than 'how to.'
I will try to tag into Pam’s insightful comments and add a few ideas. First, I would emphasize that Godwriting workshops are a mechanism of sharing an idea. It is an idea that is outside the box, so to speak, so it is very unique. This passing on of ideas, as Pam has pointed out, is more like sharing than teaching.
Like Pam, I have also never been to a Godwritng workshop, but I am absolutely certain the atmosphere is wonderfully conducive to the process. A good teacher certainly provides for a comforting, supportive environment, and I guess you can say that that is a part of teaching, but it is more like providing a service. A good employer provides the right kind of supportive environment for her employees, but we usually don’t call this teaching.
I am also sure that Godwriting workshops are greatly enhanced by the modeling of the process that goes on in them. Gloria, you already abundantly, and I must add marvelously, model the process constantly in your Heavenletters, forums and comments. From what I gather, the attendees also model the process to each other. Again, you could call all this modeling teaching, but then everything we do in life that involves others should rightfully be called teaching.
Rather than call Godwriting workshops teaching, they might be more accurately described as a sharing and modeling process that is facilitated by the loving energy of group support.
I love this process, I love the intent and I love everyone’s willingness and courage to break new ground for the many others who will follow……Chuck
Beloved Pam, just quickly, I love your choices. Senor One could give a talk on the dullest thing in the world (the rate of speed at which a tortoise travels, for instance) no one would fall asleep, and everyone would be entranced and want to hear more! He has that way about him!
Who wouldn't want to rush to a workshop that Jack would give. We would pay thousands just to see him and hear his voice.
And, Berit, yes, of course!
I would include you. There are many many others I would also think of.
I would likely include on my list everyone who has taken a Godwriting workshop and has the strong desire to give them, so hurry up and take a workshop!
Beloved Chuck, how about you? Thank you for all your postings. It feels so good to be understood.
Where are the responses from people who have taken workshops?
Today's blog entry isn't written yet, but it will address the requirements I see, and I will start writing it now.