Dear Francesca and All,
my partner and I are currently beginning to work with people who were
subjected to institutional care from infancy to 18 years in Australia -
these were horrifying experiences for these people and I've posted some
material previously to this talk group. Further detail can be found at
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/inst_care/report/index.htm
To date one member of their support group has attended a Bertold Ulsamer 4
day training
seminar in Sydney - where she was verbally attacked by two participants
immediately after she had completed her constellation because they perseved
she and her organisation represented some threat to the established
institutions (Bertold had ask
specifically for those who had experienced a constellation to be left in
peace in the break after the constellation). She fortunately is a patient
woman and stayed at the group for the four days.
She then attended a 5 day group of ours 'Lifestream' and brought a colleague
with her who had
also been through the same institutional process. These women came to assess
us and our work as well as experience the workshop for their own benefit.
The net result is we have agreed with them to present 'a pilot' 5 day
residential work shop in
Sydney at a date to be set in January 2005 with 15 people participating
directly
and another of 10 or so observing.
All of the attendee's will be survivors of instiutional care and members of
the support group.
This workshop will include Family Constellations, selected parts of our
Lifestream group plus a component we don't have - a ritual/ ceremony to
honour each of
the victims stories as most of these people have never been heard - in fact
most it would seem carry deep shame.
I thought you Francesca may be aware of a ritual or ceremony that will
assist us in this.
There are at least 500000 children that have been affected by this disaster
and in years to come it will be seen as Australia's holocast.
We welcome suggestions about this ritual/ceremony from all.
kindest regards
David ward and Janne Martinengo
----- Original Message -----
From: "francescamasonboring" <sboring@xxxxxxxx>
To: <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 5:45 AM
Subject: [ConstellationTalk] Pragmatic Urgency
The discussion of the Bush family field is in many ways encouraging
to me. My roots are in community action and development, primarily
in Native American communities and high risk communities. Systems
Constellation work is incredibly relevant because it goes to the
beginnings of destructive systemic forces.
I agree that there is a sense of urgency in looking at what systemic
forces are involved, and it seems a pragmatic thing to do.
I agree, beyond the specifics of the Bush family and the limits of
including a family without their permission is the reality that the
United States, and other parts of the world, have become victims of
those systemic forces. Individual U.S. citizens and family systems
are vicitmized by Bush Dynasty policies in a very personal way...i.e.
more than 1,000 U.S. soldiers dead, and God forgive us for the
incredible number of human beings in Iraq who have been murdered.
(To be accurate, we have to say murdered because it was without
provocation.)
My personal experience of constellation is as a healing ceremony. It
is not unlike many indigenous ceremonies in many ways.
The issue of victim/perpetrator is the bread and butter of the United
States. Every constellation which is done addressing personal
systemic involvement in the genocide that allowed for the formation
of this Republic is a healer. (Perhaps the same is true in
Australia? Canada? South Africa?) Every constellation that is done
in the United States that addresses slavery, or exploitation of
workers in mines, railroads, factories,... each of those is a healer.
More frightening than the Bush Dynasty at the moment is the fact that
he has a constituency in this country. That represents many family
systems identifying with the perpetrators. Many stand with the
perpetrators...because they do not identify them as perpetrators.
Constellation work changes that in a gentle but effective way,
without judgement.
My prayer is that people who are not wishing to be perpetrators will
also choose not to be victims and will produce change in every
peaceful way possible. Letters, protests, phone calls, votes,
petitions, opposing the war and living peace.
I think that there may be those who are led by the field to do "big"
constellations, and if they feel compelled to do those constellations-
my guess is that those also will effect change.
My hearts gratitude for those with such a pragmatic sense of urgency.
It is serious, and it is a systemic issue.
Peace,
Francesca
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