I writing to let you know I used part of the Philip Adams article in our last
workshop. At the risk of stating the obvious I would like to point out 2 things:
1. The segment in blue below describes the situation a constellation
facilitator often finds themselves in:
The child just stood there – and it
became clear that her silence wasn't stage fright so much as
emotional intensity. She really, desperately, wanted to tell us
something. She wanted it so much that she could barely breathe.
She managed a few words, then fell silent again. Every second
seemed like a minute and, yes, the minutes seemed like hours.
Somehow I knew it would be wrong to intercede – that any
paternalism on my part would be entirely inappropriate. More than
that, it would be symbolic of the relationship between black and
white in this nation for centuries.
Once again, a few sentences, then silence. Her hands clenched at
the lectern, she stood with closed eyes. Then something
extraordinary happened.
2. The next segment illustrates the importance of having the right person
standing behind you - as we often see in constellations:
Then something
extraordinary happened. Maureen Watson, the Aboriginal elder
who'd performed the opening ceremony, rose from her chair and
walked v ery slowly, with great dignity, to the stage. She climbed
the three stairs and stood just behind the young woman.
Understand that she didn't speak to the child, not a word. And I
don't think she touched her. She just stood there, motionless,
sculptural. She was, literally, just there for her. And it was
enough. For soon the words were flowing
So thankyou Bubula
This piece was very educational as well as very touching.
hasta la vista
Chris Walsh
An Australian Constellation Website:
www.constellationflow.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bubula Lardi" <bubula@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2003 4:29 PM
Subject: [ConstellationTalk] Humanity and Australia
Thanks Chris, I did appreciate that article on genealogy.
So not exactly in the same vein, I think Philip Adams summary on a
recent ageing conference in Brisbane is more food for thought for us who
are involved with Family Constellations. I would be very interested to
hear from anyone who has had indigenous people in their workshops -
particularly here in Australia. For those who don't know, Philip Adams
is a well known and often controversial journalist who regulaly writes
for "The Australian" - our national newspaper.
Bubula
The Australian
May 24, 2003
Phillip Adams: Greying, in black and white
I WANT to tell you about an experience that was at once harrowing
and inspiring. It occurred in a nondescript conference room in
the Brisbane Hilton, at a one-day gabfest organised by the
Queensland Government's Department of Families. The participants
were mainly bureaucrats dealing with the problems of ageing.
The minister wanted to encourage community debate on the ageing
of the population and the interconnected needs of all generations
so as to stimulate government policies and response. It was my
job to deliver a keynote address and be the "facilitator".
I attend a lot of conferences like this and, normally, there are
few surprises. Such affairs are ritualistic and rarely
revelatory. The proceedings tend to be soothing, allowing
appropriate pieties to be expressed, and everyone goes home tired
but happy.
On this occasion, things were different. First of all the papers
weren't half bad, emphasising the social dynamic that would
result from having a population of oldies who would become an
increasing burden on the public purse. We were told that perhaps
one in three young Australian women will live to 100 and get the
congratulatory telegram from Buck Palace. I was impressed by the
policy of improving intergenerational relationships, with bridges
of understanding being built between
young and old.
As is customary, the proceedings began with a 'Welcome to
Country' conducted by an Aboriginal elder. This came from Maureen
Watson, a 75-year-old woman whose dark skin was dramatised by her
prodigious mane of bright white hair. Although she spoke just a
few well chosens, you could see she was one wise old woman.
She was followed by a professional futurist – futurists are 21st
century soothsayers – w ho gave us a glimpse into the years ahead
that I, for one, found decidedly unattractive – full of
references to "virtual immortality" made available either bydownloading or uploading our intellects so that we could dwell in