Co Communication

A Pattern Language for human interactions

Collaborative Edge Exploration/ Patterns to Details/ Valuing Diversity/ Using Renewable Resources

Project in a nutshell

Exploring Permaculture Design in Relationships

The Goals for this project include:

• Gain clarity on how Permaculture Design can work in Relationships
• Gather & share personal insights and experiences
• Develop a proposed set of directives/principles for permaculture relationships
  
• Produce a book of value to others
• Use and value diversity and edges

Personal Goals of People Working on this Project:

• Gain experience openly collaborating with others
• Learn how to use Wiki Software; especially to collaborate on a book-writing project
• Gain personal insight and directives

For this Output I shall learn how to install and use Wiki Software to initiate a collaborative book writing project online. The main body of work shall remain on that Wiki and at some point I shall either close the editing facilities to preserve the book, or extrapolate the book into an edited edition. Originally I had visualised writing the book in one month, rapid prototype style! I have now decided not decided to set a date for this as I am interested in exploring different ways of encouraging people to contribute, so have an idea to let this project continue as I start focusing on my next Outputs.

The first step is to engage collaborators from various fields who may be interested or excited about this project. I have documented this process in the Appendix.

Once the Wiki is online the Action Learning process will centre around the insights and processes of writing this book and integrating different ideas and perspectives into a coherent form. Besides the content, the collaborative process and use of new media forms present multiple edges for learning and growth.

The main body of work for this Output is the book being written online at the Wiki, please follow the link below;

integralpermanence.wiki.zoho.com


The Wiki is set up in an Open Edit format. If you feel like contributing in any way, such as comments/ suggestions/ text, etc... Please feel free!

I am not feeling satisfied with the progress of this project at present, as I believe there is a lot of potential for Action Learning on many levels within this Wiki writing. I have had some blocks to "writing up" this OP, as it does not feel finished. I think there are many more edges and opportunities for exploration that seem just out of reach at this time (5th Nov). For this reason I have decided to leave the project ongoing, and have it running as more of a background project, which will receive consistent but lower levels of input, as I start my next Output. I aim to continue working on it until Jan 10 at this point.

The contributions so far have been great and even small suggestions can lead to whole new perspectives and new inspiration. I want to experience this in a deeper sense, a more engaged sense of sharing.

I am relating strongly to the Theory U model at present, and this has inspired me to extend the scope and duration of this project;

I feel like now, 5th November, I have just really started presencing within this project. I had a lot of tensions previously because of the fact that my portfolio shall be assessed to see if I am eligible for the accelerated MSc. As my future studies are depending on this I have felt a bit shaken, and some kind of notion that this OP needs to be glossy and complete! I let go of all that with the clear realisation that this project has a lot of potential and it feels close at hand. People are interested and Michelle and I are both getting a lot from the new ways we are relating to each other and supporting each other. It feels really valuable for us particularly, but I think it could be very valuable for many others. The collaborative element of this project is unsatisfactory to me. I am really open to go anywhere with this purely for the sake of the process, and Im excited to keep this project open.

The next step in the model, "letting come", is the essence of how I visioned approaching this project and collaboration in general; non attachment to outcome and engaging in process not outcome.

I can really relate to the progressions on the diagram above, "enacting" and "embodying". I see these arising naturally in the open and spacious state I now rest in. My desire to engage in this collaborative process will naturally support a flexible and integral approach.

Michelle is returning to Thailand soon. We are both really excited about the relationship and I think we shall be reflecting and reconnecting around our original work in this Co Communitcation process. I think there is a lot of scope for scribing conversations and including them. Im excited by this notion as I have been reflecting about different models for books, at I am currently excited by the idea of a format that runs like a conversation. I think this could be really engaging for the reader, and empasize the different ways we all relate to experiences in a rich and informative way. I think by somewhat disregarding editing in the writing process, and working with this conversing style there is a certain flow of ideas that I think can work more rapidly than feeling constrained to write in a concise or patterned way.

I think this may also be more attractive to collaborators, who I imagine may be put off by a feeling of commiting to the project. There are signs of interest in a few places now, and this is helping me crystallise my vision for the project. There is so much of value in this work.

I shall leave this section unfinished until I feel the process has been more stimulating and fulfilling. I shall re- edit this section and not add this Evaluation to the Addendum, which I reserve more specifically for addressing Daves` PA notes.

Next Acheivable steps

• I think the British Permaculture Forum may be useful to advertise the project, however for some reason the site has been blocking my email address. I have written twice and it seems this may open up some different doors later. Hopefully this will work in the next week or two.
• Engage Jason, whos thesis linking analytical chemistry to human relationships (Online on the Wiki) is fascinating, but may need facilitation to help mesh or integrate into the book, especially whilst He is travelling. This week.
• Engage Michelle in reflection and observation in our reunion and explore ways of getting all the poignant ideas and feelings we are exeriencing and sharing down during the next few weeks.
• Really try to set up specific sessions with people that express interest, ASK for input on HOW I can help facilitate contribution.
• Ask my ALG if they can support me with buddy sessions within the next month with a focus on input for the project.
• Explore new edges for putting the project out to, different groups that may share an interest, ongoing as things arise and connections are made.
  

Below is a list of the Outcomes so far, as of 5th Nov 09

• Deeper sense of levelstanding with Michelle
• Greater sense of Co Creation in relationship with Michelle
• More open and trusting communication
• Greater sense of how principles of Ecology stretch to every facet of our lives and that our inner Being is also mirroring ecosystem
• Deeper connection with process as opposed to outcome. This is an area I need to work on a lot still. This project has already been vital in my growth in this way.
• Learnt how to use Wiki Software
• Connected with people I would not have otherwise
• Explored NVC deeper
• Found myself relating to a new model, Theory U, which has felt really alive for me as I let go and started writing up this OP
• Rapid prototyping in Moodle write up. ( This and the next OP are very intensive in terms of research and writing input. I want to bring this academic angle into this Action Learning process, and as the main studies themselves are the process/ result of AL, the Moodle write up feels less involved for these two OP`s. In many ways these projects speak for themselves so I wanted the OP write up to be comprehensive but light and not distracting from the actual focus of the project.)
• Familiarity of Book Format, subsequently changing all OP`s to this format so that I can both print copies to share with others and have a neat and "clean" looking interface.
• Learnt more about my Graphics tablet in creating digital art
• See more fully the inherent value of collaborative work if I can learn more deeply effective ways of moving and communicating in this world.
• Note to self; Realisation not to be too ambitious! Writing a book in a month is a great idea but perhaps a little naive, especially looking into a new area of study when suffering exhaustion from already taking on too many responsibilities..........!
  

As I have decided to keep this project rolling, here is a list of Outcomes I would be happy to see on drawing the project to a close ( At present I aim to close it by Jan 10);

• A Book of some kind that is useful to others
• Learnt from the rich and diverse experience of others
• Created links with people who I may be able to work with in other areas/ projects in the future
• Really explored and worked with all that is alive in our relationship upon reunion with Michelle
• Inspired some people
• Learnt new ways to engage others and facilitate growth and movement
• A feeling of sharing our experiences in the process of evolving to more realised places
• Be able to share this work/ process clearly with others

Resource Review

• Love and Awakening, John Welwood.HarperCollins, 1996

Digiphon

• Zoho Wiki software
• Genius EasyPen i405 Graphics Tablet
• Vue mindmapping

• Integralpermanence.wiki.zoho.com
• Integralpermanence.blogspot.com
  
• Wikipedia.com
• mediawiki.org
• forums.permaculture.org.au
• permaculture.org.uk
• facebook.com
• cnvc.org
• theworldcafe.org
• robmcneil.wordpress.com
• www.presencing.com

Time Review (At 5th Nov)

Moodle Book writing 3hrs
Zoho Wiki Set up 1.5 hrs
Zoho Wiki Writing 6 hrs
Vue Mindmapping 3 hrs
Inviting Collaborators 2 hrs

Total at 5th Nov 09 15.5 hrs

OP3 Outcomes

Professional

• Learnt to use WIKI software

• Website development

• Explored digital collaboration

• Explored digital graphic work

• More rapid growth in digital literacy

Personal

• Embodied Co Creation principles

• Deep reflection on relationships

• Deeper connection to NVC principles

• More fulfilling relationship with Michelle

• Greater sense of understanding others/ potential to connect

• Exploration of Theory U

• Deeper connection to Integral Theory

Project

• Invented new models for Eco Social realm

• Produced graphics for website

• Initiated book writing/ reflection

• Deeper understanding of Social Ecology

• Active experimentation of 80:20 rule

• Exploring rapid prototyping

• Transferred work to Book format

• Collaboration with peers