Diane's page
“Circle of wise women “ in the Kawartha Lakes
In May of this year, I had the opportunity to be in Vancouver and
attended a lecture given by Dr. Jean Bolen on her book, “Urgent Message from
Mother “. I was moved to respond and to action– or as Jean so aptly puts it– to get
your assignment. As I listened to her and heard the words again– Gather the
Women” I felt strong positive vibes go through my body and knew that I would
do something about this when I returned to Kawartha Lakes.
The idea of the “circle “ and what is involved in it”s purpose is not new to me, as
it seems this has been my assignment for the past 20 yrs to bring both men and
women together in circle. There was such a quality of wisdom, of understanding
and co-operation that would come from the circle–that we would return to the
circle faithfully over the weeks and months– because we recev’d the Gifts from
the circle. This is what Jean Bolen is saying in her book to create all kinds of
circles at the grass roots level— circles of women, circles of grandmothers, circles
of men and women— and why ?– because there is a different dynamic here that
one does not receive in any other kind of meeting– where there is a hierarchy of
order.
In the bigger picture, Dr. Jean believes that bringing more of the “shakti”–a
Sanskrit word meaning feminine energy into the global scene is absolutely
necessary if we are to achieve world peace .
And I quote from her : “ A proliferation of circles has the potential to become a
force for social justice by bringing in feminine values of relationship and
interdependency into a culture of hierarchy and dominance through power.
Women in small groups became the Suffragette movement , gaining women the
vote in 1920. Women in small consciousness -raising groups led to the Women”s
movement of the 70"s. If women”s circles with a spiritual center became the
source of a third wave of values, the effect in Jungian terms would be to bring
feminine and masculine principles into balance within collective consciousness. “
And so I believe that we too can make a difference in our communities by
forming such ‘circles of wise women” - we can make a difference right where we
are. I am very passionate about this for several reasons – to come to the circle
brings a sense of belonging , of coming home to our authentic selves, of being able
to speak freely without fear of reprimand or judgement. It is such a privilege to sit
in circle and to hear other people’s journeys and the diversity of wisdom and of
knowledge that is gained here.
And so after sharing this with my good friend and soulsister in Texas, we decided
to create a website ( www.gatherthewomentochangeourworld.org) and to invite women to share in a women”s retreat on Vancouver Island in May of this year— 12 women came for a one day retreat and from this, we committed to continuing with the creation of more “circles of wise women” both here in Canada and in Texas.
We now have two such circles started in the Kawarthas and another soon to start
in Oakville, 0nt. In June , the first circle was started in Bobcaygeon with 12
women gathering at the Kawartha Coffee –and we watched part of a DVD on
Seeding Circles-and saw an interview with Dr. Jean Bolen and her visioning for
the Gather the Women, Save the world. After this, the group decided they would
meet every two weeks and we continue to do so– the next meeting of this group
will be on Thursday, July 22 at Tranquil Spirit– the home & healing space of
Diane Jung. I have invited the women to come and walk the Labyrinth and then to
share in the circle on that morning at 10 A.M. Anyone wishing to come may call
me at -705-879-4390 for Directions .
Our second ‘circle of wise women “ started in Lindsay in June as well and 18
women came to this meeting at the 0lympia restaurant – a diverse group indeed as
there was a number of ‘elders “ there as well as a number of younger, working
mothers .We also watched the DVD and heard Dr. Jean”s interview re: ‘Urgent
message from Mother “– this group has decided to meet once a month and our
meeting in July will b e at the 0lympia restaurant again at 10 A.M. on Tuesday,
July 13– the next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 10 @ the 0lympia restaurant
@ 10 A.M.
There has been some interesting comments from the women on the circle– one
comment was from a very busy women who owns and operates a thriving café in
Bobcaygeon – she said that it was the first time that she was in circle and actually
received some benefit– to actually sit and listen to others was and is such a
privilege and rich with wisdom.
Another comment from one woman — “ I feel a wonderful sense of support and
love from the “circle of wise women “. Powerful things happen when we meet, a
real synergy “.
The two circles in the Kawartha Lakes continue to be open to new women who
would like to come and participate. For further information , please email Diane @
djung@i-zoom.net, or call Diane @ 705-879-4390.
Other similar comments came too from other very busy women in related fields of
health, healing, owners of restaurants– they too echoed the comment that it was so
good to sit in circle and to listen and receive. The diversity in both of these circles
is great and rich in ideas and in substance – as the elders can pass on some of their
wisdom and the younger women can present their visioning.
For our next meeting in Lindsay , we hope to have a woman share her knowledge
and wisdom form the First Nations Circles.
