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Building the Bridges of Sustainable Community
Taking its name from the Tibetan word for "bridge builder," The Choksampa Project is dedicated to the creation of stronger, more sustainable communities through the cultivation of compassionate social dialogue and action. Our goal is to bring together people with ostensible divergent views to discover areas of common ground. In addition, we are creating models which may be used in other communities facing similar challenges.Just as sustainability recognizes the interdependence of all living systems, The Choksampa Project recognizes the interdepence of our "inner worlds" -- cognitive, emotional and spiritual. By focusing on our many commonalities or experience, rather than our differences, Choksampa bridges the gap between our perceptions of separateness and the realities of our shared humanity.
Our primary focus has been on our Community Conversations which are a series of compassion-based dialogues. Our next step is the further development of a social action component known as Community Projects.
Community Conversations
Community Conversations are a series of three 2-3 hour "conversations" with a maximum of twelve community members. These conversations are designed to create a safe and open environment for individuals who may have been on opposing sides of an issue to experence being together in a different way. Through this process participants are encouraged to experience their common ties, their desire for respect and a shared sense of community.
The first two sessions assist participants in experiencing the power of listening and being heard by each other at increasingly deeper levels which enhances their ability to become aware of their common ground rather than focusing on differences. The third and final conversation is an open exchange of ideas and desires which may or may not culminate in further conversations or projects among group members. Inevitable, however, this process builds greater trust and openness among participants.
One member of the first series of conversations held this summer and composed of members of the grape growers community and other community members said "the biggest thing that came through for me was that the people in the grape growers community have the same concerns that I have... . I realized that these are people just like me who have great concern for our community. I feel like them IS us, that there is no them." (Janine Carpenter, Sebastopol)
Beyond the individual experiences of these group members there was a definite level of trust and bonding that occurred within the group which may continue in the form of future projects together. Community Conversations are specifically designed to be useful in situations involving issues of sustainability which threaten to divide a community.
Community Project
Community Projects are created to build upon the shared experiences of Community Conversations and move them forward. These projects are designed to transfer the skills and experiences from a series of conversations into a shared project.The Choksampa Project is currently working to further a community-based project which involves grape-growers and community members working together towards more sustainable growing practices. It is our intention that this project will foster a deeper level of involvement and understanding among community members, growers and other participating individuals and organizations.
How To Contact Us
For further information please contact Lynn Martin at (707) 823-2431.
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