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RBW Rachel B. Wickert Public Seen by 10

Sam Burcher's beautiful new book, Garland - Flowers of Spirit http://www.samburcher.com/publications/my-book.html , has sparked discussions around emergence, the multiple dimensions of knowing and how we could use our respective strengths to develop new tools.

Here are some of the info and ideas that are emerging …

RBW

Rachel B. Wickert Mon 10 Mar 2014 10:36AM

Sam and I first met almost 10 years ago at a crossing road. I was writing evidence-based reports to back-up claims from leaders of the environmental movement such as Dr Vandana Shiva. She was a talented communicator who seems to have a natural gift for creating connection between people from very different backgrounds. I moved circles. We stopped crossing each others paths until a few weeks ago. I read her book and I knew we had to meet again. Her poems, lyrics and prose are coming from deeply felt experience. Her anthology opens a kaleidoscope of emotions making my head swirl while my soul heals. That is when I realised what a gift she is!

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Rachel B. Wickert Mon 10 Mar 2014 10:36AM

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Rachel B. Wickert Mon 10 Mar 2014 10:41AM

I am keen to see how we could develop further the idea that emerged on Friday of a workshop involving all the senses to bridge science, art and the spiritual dimensions. This is the Experimental workshop my fellow researchers and I co-created in 2008 to address similar questions: http://rdwbizz.blogspot.co.uk/2008/07/experimental-workshop-around-emergence.html

Here are links to examples related to how arts could be used to create the bridge we talked about:
✰ Rainbow of Desires includes many of the senses as well as the support of a group to help an individual to rehearse for change : http://rdwbizz.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-rainbow-of-desire-boal-method-of.html
✰ Power of music to heal the brain: http://rdwbizz.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/awakenings.html
✰ Bodystorming: science + dance : http://rdwbizz.blogspot.be/2013/06/bodystorming-science-dance.html
✩ Poetry and heart surgery: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/318066792404732579/
✩Spirituality:
- cyborg spirituality reference from Andy Pickering: http://rdwbizz.blogspot.be/2013/08/cyborg-spirituality.html
- this book about Buddha & Darwin: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/318066792404761118/
- how mindfulness practice can lead to epigenetic switch: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/318066792404871469/

I've collected other articles and case studies, but these few are a good start I think.

I've pinned also a few stuff about people working on metrics to show how arts act as a superconductor for kindness:http://www.pinterest.com/pin/318066792404931008/.

I think it is probably enough for now!

RBW

Rachel B. Wickert Mon 10 Mar 2014 10:58AM

On sounds, colours and extending human senses:

Extrasensory: radio version of TED talks about going beyond our senses with Neil Harbisson and Julian Treasure: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/npr-ted-radio-hour-podcast/id523121474?mt=2

SB

Sam Burcher Mon 10 Mar 2014 11:21AM

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for your lovely comments. I believe that humanity has reached a very important crossroads. Despite the obvious problems and inequalities in the world, there is an emerging reality that awaits us all. It just so happens that I have chosen to channel my strong feelings around this by attempting to extend my senses on all levels (to include a higher power) and to translate that experience into a lyrical form.

Garland become a "special" book to some of the people that I hold in high regard, which means to me that I am moving forward on my "right" journey. I want to engage with other people who are interested in unlocking their poetic/artistic/musical potentials and to tap in to the new consciousness. All you have to do is be ready!

ADM

Aldo De Martelaere Mon 10 Mar 2014 10:35PM

Thanks for inviting me Rachel. I'll have to order the book (it's not on kindle) but I can already browse the links in your post. But it's a great idea to stimulate our thinking about the relation(s) between art and society in that way. I hope it becomes an ongoing discussion. My own reflections (on Smallwhales) most often concern 'how' poets create poems, what's their 'inner fabric' (aka their form) as that is what occupies me most when writing poems myself. But there are other entrances to art (one of them being the relations to the world in which it is created or 'consumed'). So yes, I'm in.

Good to meet you too Sam. I'm sure we will have interesting discussions together. Rachel told me that you can send me the book via email in exchange for a donation on your website. Just let me know. My email is [email protected].

Hear you both (and others) soon!

Aldo

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Rachel B. Wickert Tue 11 Mar 2014 12:14PM

@samburcher and @aldodemartelaere You are both welcome! I am glad to be able to introduce two friends, poets, and beautiful souls to each others. Sam you might like to check Aldo's blog: http://smallwhales.wordpress.com

Sam: I only mentioned that it might be a possibility to get a pdf of your book the way you kindly offered it to me, before actually giving me the book which sits now proudly on my bedside table!

Rachel

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Rachel B. Wickert Tue 11 Mar 2014 12:37PM

@samburcher and @aldodemartelaere: I would like to introduce you to @elizabethwillmotth via her poem http://www.libertyandhumanity.com/themes/human-trafficking/the-light-behind-my-eyes-has-died/ and painting (attached).

Elizabeth and I only met yesterday via The Forest Floor, a platform facilitated by @gwynjones , but you'll discover soon reading her poems and browsing her website to see some of her work why we found that there might be possible synergies...

SB

Sam Burcher Tue 11 Mar 2014 2:54PM

Hi Aldo and Elizabeth,

How lovely to meet fellow poets through this happy medium! Here is my website address http://www.samburcher.com/home.html
where I report on campaigns for socially accountable governance and science for the public good.

I have also just started to promote poetry there and hope to expand upon that. Aldo, please make a small donation of between £5 and £10, and I can email you the PDF of Garland for you to have a look at.

Sam

EW

Elizabeth Willmott-Harrop Tue 11 Mar 2014 3:54PM

Hi Rachel, Sam and Aldo, thanks for including me here and I look forward to looking at your writing.

Sam I just noticed looking at your website the testimonial from Jay Ramsay - I am a friend of his here in Stroud. Small world!

Rachel, prompted by our chat yesterday, I have literally just added a gallery of my art to my website:
http://www.libertyandhumanity.com/themes/other-themes/elizabeths-art-gallery/

The most crucial thing for me in all this, is that intellect as a lone tool is so diminished by the absence of art or heart as its fellow.

I have only just learned that personally at the age of 46, and can see that if taken beyond the personal realm, and out into the world it is the most powerful unity and force for change.

I will give more thought to your ideas and will look at the links above.

Very best, Elizabeth

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