Monthly/Weekly Meetings
REGULAR SERVICE
Once a week/month, members of the Ashram meeting in their community for a 90 minute meeting. The Ashram encourages people to meet outside, in nature. As people gather and share a pot-luck.
Sample Agenda for an Ashram Monthly/Weekly Community Meeting:
10:30am community building exercise as Ashram members share a meal.
11:am Quote of the week -- community member A
11:05 Unify exercises:
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singing
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1 up/1 down
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zip/zap/zop
11:10 Monthly/weekly (?) Resilience Building Conversation -- topic chosen and discussion facilitated by member C
Discussion topic examples:
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What does it mean to be a citizen?
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What is the value of work?
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What are the assets in our community?
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Describe the world at peace?
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If Earth were optimally healthy, what would it feel like to live on this planet?
11:40 Now what/So what? discussion -- The Ashram now shifts the discussion from concept to action. The group identifies one thing they can do as a collective to apply what they discovered in the discussion.
11:50 Final thoughts
11:55 Song
12 -- adjourn
WHY MEET REGULARLY?
Ashram member pot-lucks are a way to enhance connection, community, and exchanges between members.
Gatherings work best if they are held regularly so that members can plan for them in their calendar.
The pot-lucks are a KEY component of the Ashram, because it’s here that people get to meet and become familiar with other each other and find out who’s exchanging what.
Monthly/weekly pot-lucks build the relationships that power the Ashram. They are also useful for outreach, and so they are generally open and inviting to non-members who are interested in joining the Ashram.
The potluck is the place to celebrate and share and:
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identify ways to help the external community,
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be reminded of our core values,
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announce events and offerings,
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share spiritual and healing experiences,
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build connection and community, and
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have fun and play.