ELDERSHIP

There is no question the world needs leaders. There is a great call for change and many individuals and organizations are responding to that call.  Change agents around the globe are seeking new ways to communicate and serve our communities. Leaders are sensing that a greater level of skill and insight is needed for positive global transformation to occur. Stepping into Eldership is a willingness to claim our inherent wisdom and to initiate compassionate action for the good of all. Elders understand that ongoing inner transformation and the ‘burning of our wood’ –  overcoming personal barriers and prejudices, conscious awareness of rank and privilege, resolving inner conflict – is necessary to bring innerwork out into the world to heal our communities. Elders are willing to stand in the eye of the storm and sit in the fire in order to call forth the Eldership in others and practice true deep democracy.

And this requires courage, heart, fierceness and nurturing. An Eldership Circle is a place where those who have chosen to answer their deepest call can meet to give and receive support to sustain and nurture themselves, find alliances, share resources and tools and draw strength from one another.  Eldership Circles create a sacred, intentional space where inner, outer and world work can flourish.

If you are called – or being called forth – as an Elder, creating or joining an Eldership Circle may be the next step for you or your organization. Please email info@vickimcleod.com.  You may find it useful to read the information on the Creating a Team page to get a sense of the structure for a circle and to explore resources that are available.

EXCERPT FROM: Sitting in the Fire, by Arnold Mindell

• The leader seeks a majority – the elder stands for everyone.
• The leader sees trouble and tries to stop it – the elder sees the troublemaker as a possible teacher.
• The leader strives to be honest – the elder sees the truth in everything.
• The democratic leader supports democracy – the elder does this too but also listens to dictators and ghosts.
• Leaders try to be better at their jobs – elders try to get others to become elders.
• Leaders try to be wise – elders have no mind of their own. They follow the events of nature.
• The leader knows – the elder learns.
• The leader needs a strategy – the elder studies the moment.
• The leader follows a plan – the elder honors a direction of a mysterious and unknown river.