The Circle of Learning

Each day here at camp we have a learning circle. So at about 9 am as everyone is finishing up breakfast, and after instructors and fellows have finished their 8 am discussion, we all sit down in the library. The chairs are all mis-matched and old, but that just adds to the ambiance of the room lined with books.

The learning circle question is crafted in the instructors meeting, where all the things that have taken place in the last 24 hours is discussed. Based on some of the themes and events, we all contribute to a question that might lead the students in meaningful discussion and their own contemplation.

Before we begin with question for the day, we start with acknowledgements. We go around the circle and everyone contributes something that they have been thankful for. There is a lot of thanking of other people for things they have done-for instance, tomorrow I will thank Nathan and Tanya for helping me learn how to pick chicken's eggs out from underneath them without being afraid of getting pecked, and I will also thank Joanne for explaining that the color of the eggs (brown, blue, white, tan) doesn't have anything to do with whether or not they are "organic" it just depends on the color on the chicken's ears. Sometimes you feel like you should have a whole list because there are so many great things that happen out here.

Next, one of the professors explains the learning circle question and the around the circle process is repeated. You can have a pass if you want, but eventually you always tell a story or relate an example from your life. Here are some of the questions that we have done circles on:

• Think about drag in your life-- what do you get pulled away from that prevents you from experiencing your best life possible? This could be people, habits, addictions, thoughts, etc.

• The conflict between maintaining individuality and choosing for yourself or contributing to community. (this was an interesting one).

• Think back in your mind and determine when you have experienced unexpected grace- what has gone well that was not planned for, worked for, or expected?

• At what points in your life have you encountered your own bravery? How did this happen and what was the result of it?

The learning circles are really fun because you get to listen to a new story from everyone. You really get to know them as this reciprocity happens. People are very honest and open and often times the stories relate to something in your own life. When everyone has spoken, there is a period of discussion, talking about things you thought about as other people spoke, asking questions of people. So far there have been really funny stories, sad stories, touching stories, and a few strange stories.

Overall, these learning circles create a huge amount of community. It gives you a lot of things to talk to people about at lunch and dinner. I am noticing how much the students get from these discussions and how curious they are about knowing your life experiences. It is clear there is a lot of contemplation going on in their heads.

Yesterday as we were identifying trees, birds, and flowers on the prairie, one of the undergraduates talked to me about what she thought she had learned through this class. She talked about friendships and how she is reevaluating the people she spends time with back at home. It was interesting to hear her talk about things like the increasing value she is placing on characteristics like honesty, openness, kindness, and acceptance within friends, since living here.

While talking to her, I found myself reflecting on my own realizations about value in friendships in the last couple of years. Who contributes to a sense of shared understandings, of community, of kindness, and genuineness for me? Do those people value the same thing in me? Great questions as I move into that part of life where the time you have to spend with friends is valuable. That is the thing that I love about being here, it is about continual reevaluation and that learning is not just going in one direction. It is about living about lives worth living from each other no matter whether they are 90 year-old Artes (the cutest old woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing) or a timid, very young college student that has interesting experiences to share.