01 Mar The Communer: A Video Example
When I posted the Skype interview with Robert in my last blog entry, people were intrigued by the way he and his partners communed. They shared with me that his approach to blending Presence and Productivity was very valuable, and that it would be even better to see the actual process in action.
I agree! So yesterday Robert and I practiced peer-to-peer communing together, and taped that Skype session as well. Please click “Read More” to take a look, and to share your comments if inspired.
Mary Sheridan
Posted at 04:22h, 02 MarchAmazing!
Raphael – I don’t know if you will remember that when you brought this concept up on P4, I was the only one who thought it was a terrible idea. My image, of course, was very different from what I just saw on this video – I had imaged someone shadowing me, lurking in the background and it felt kind of creepy. What I just saw is not only more wholesome, but strikes me as a very good idea and I will definitely think about who might partner with me.
Thanks, and much love,
Mary
Kristen Reynolds
Posted at 15:36h, 02 MarchI think that the second video is so serviceable, I am going to share it with a bunch of my friends and clients. Thanks so much for it. I very much like your idea of being with each other in this way through difficult areas of our lives. With the advent of Skype and other video calls, people are accessible all over the planet. While I might hesitate to talk to someone I haven’t met before by phone, I am much more comfortable to meet and talk with someone new by Skype. I am very excited by how this kind of empathy can help people in practical areas of their lives.
I can imagine professional coaches being very interested in this concept, but I am hoping that your idea interests people to help one another mutually without payment.
All the best,
Kristen Reynolds
Dave Kendall
Posted at 17:25h, 02 Marchthanks for this Raphael – I was skeptical at first about the value of this, then realized how much anxiety uncompleted tasks cause me.
Carol Steinberg
Posted at 21:49h, 02 MarchI think it would be great to partner with someone to do this kind of thing. But it really has to be someone who would get me, be flexible, etc. And sometimes it seems like it might work better in theory than in practice. You guys role modeled itwell. I’ve heard of people who do a day long clutter clearing this way or writing. I wrote my first newsletter because I made a group commitment to do so–and I didn’t want the leader to think less of me. I like the idea of different projects but there is also something to be said for connecting with someone who is struggling with the same stuff. I got the feeling Raphael didn’t completely understand what Robert meant about his “story that I don’t know what to do” when thinking about painting but I got it completely. Frequently run up against that one. Still, the understanding and being there for each other and getting it done was enviable–something I would love to participate in, the best kind of friendship to me.
Wendy
Posted at 21:59h, 02 MarchHi Raphael – it’s great to see communing in action! I really like the idea of checking in for a few minutes, then going away and coming back again – something about the person still being there, having space and then reconnecting. I realise that when I’ve had a problem in my life with doing something, it is usually because there is some emotional block there which may be transformed by just being with it and allowing it to be expressed in the presence of an empathic listener…
Looking forward to future communing
Wendy
Julie Farnam
Posted at 22:26h, 06 AugustRaphael,
I think it is your (and Robert’s) empathy, self empathy, and depth that makes this work. I still need guidance for the “what ifs” of relationship. I can be empathic and unconditionally supportive; I can also be brittle and irritable and judgmental. I need guidance for creating safety for my self and the other communer; guidelines for keeping the space clear and clean….should it get cloudy or lumpy. On the other hand, just vicariously experiencing communing between you and Robert, I got a big bag of peas shelled which was probably going to rot if I didn’t take the time now. Thank you for your work, your evolving vision and your sweet humility. Love, Julie