As part of her intensive 2-year Mastery-level certification training in Polarity Thinking, Allison Conte pulled together an amazing collection of people for a retreat/workshop – Applications of Polarity Thinking @ Kayser Ridge. I (Cliff Kayser) Co-facilitated this retreat with Allison, and our design included participants bringing a difficult or thorny issue from an organization system with them. After an experiential introduction to Polarity Thinking and the Polarity Map, the participants spent the weekend going through the “science” of the See, Map, and Tap process for individual issues and coached each other to practice the skill of helping others work through the process. Everyone departed with completed Polarity Maps of their issue, which they can begin using immediately in the “artistic” part of the process to engage Key Stakeholders. The result, no doubt, will be generative and sustainable change at best, and at the very least — avoiding vicious cycles!

Cliff started the group off on Saturday morning on the side deck – amid a sun rising over the ridge and crisp mountain air — with some basics of Tai Chi. This practice provided a tie-back to some key polarities and two experiences of Yin/Yang energy – one for upper and one for lower body.

Allison kicked Sunday morning off with a Yoga practice, again with tie-back to some polarities, both spiritual and physical. The exercises provided enough challenge to and enough support regardless of experience level, for participants to begin a daily practice.  Talk about a refreshing way to start the day.

In-between the physical, mental, and emotional experiences were amazing and healthy meals prepared by Kayser Ridge assistant, Linda Noble. Thanks Linda! Your wonderful energy, humor and service allowed all of us to hold the RETREAT pole of the RETREAT and WORKSHOP polarity! You clearly contributed to creating a virtuous cycle!

QUESTION:
When was the last time you:

  • sat under a billion stars close enough to touch
  • while in surreal blue moonlight
  • in front of a blazing bonfire
  • with 360 view of mountain ridgeline
  • laughing with a group incredibly smart, funny, deep, and caring group of people

Not to brag, but I spent the majority of Saturday night, post dinner and dessert, doing just that. That’s got to be on the TOP 5 list of the closest things to Heaven on Earth, that I know.

Here is a piece from the comments from the feedback and evaluation form. It’s the first time EVER I’ve had someone write a poem in their feedback!

“We came with a sense about poles With the hope we might think more in wholes. How was the event? Nothing but heaven-sent, For it nourished our minds and our souls. Some experts drone on (on a roll.) Some gurus can sometimes cajole. But THIS was delivered By empathic givers with spirit and learning their role. They mixed heart and head, sits and strolls, to leverage both loose and control. How was the design? (Even without the wine) It worked well by embracing the poles. Kayser Ridge gave us new seeds to sow, to interplant with status quo. The space helped the learning, like leaves that are turning. Enacting infinity’s flow. I came with a sense about poles, wanting peace between either-or goals. But peace implies war; Neither’s true at life’s core. I saw love’s in the both-and of wholes”

Life is good…

Cliff