December 10, 2021
Dear Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma Communities,
We are happy to provide this biweekly update on the Compassionate Reconciliation Project
Compassionate Reconciliation Commission (CRC) Update
The Compassionate Reconciliation Commission continues its important foundational work. The Commission will meet once more in 2021 and then resume meeting on January 19, 2022. Around this time, the group’s protocols, guidelines, and decision-making procedures should be close to completion and strategic planning (e.g. What are the collective goals of the CRC? What activities will help meet those goals?) will be almost ready to begin.
Lessons from Peacemaking Circles
Just Outcomes is currently in the midst of delivering a 14-hour Circle Process facilitator training for 20 community members from around the world. One of the learnings we orient to in this training is the “Seven Core Assumptions” of Peacemaking Circles as articulated by Kay Pranis and Carolyn Boyes-Watson in their book, Circle Forward. They are as follows:
- The True Self in Everyone Is Good, Wise, and Powerful
- The World is profoundly Interconnected
- All Human Beings have a Deep Desire to be in a Good Relationship
- All Humans Have Gifts & Everyone Is Needed for What They Bring
- Everything We Need to Make Positive Change Is Already Here
- Human Beings are Holistic
- We Need Practices to Build Habits of Living from the Core Self
-Kay Pranis & Carolyn Boyes-Watson
Many of these core assumptions are deeply aligned with Just Outcomes’ approach to the Compassionate Reconciliation process. We affirm the need for self-determination by individuals and communities, and seek to uplift and support humans’ inherent desire to be in positive connection to one another. We believe that the wisdom and skills for navigating through a process of healing are present in abundance within the Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma communities. Reconciliation can never be imposed, but flourishes when individuals and communities work together to connect to that which is most meaningful to them.
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Please note, we will pause on providing updates over the upcoming holidays and resume our communications on January 14, 2022.
We hope you have a wonderful, restful and healthy start to 2022!
Yours in kindness, compassion, and gratitude,
Catherine Bargen, Matthew Hartman, Cara Walsh, Aaron Lyons, and our extended Just Outcomes Team
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