Birthing Co-Creative Community
By Carolyn Anderson and Katharine Roske
Reprinted with permission from Communities Magazine, #113 (Winter 2001).

Driving through the forested hills of northern New Mexico one hot August afternoon, we came around another bend and crossed the cattle guard onto the property. To our left a winding stream passed through a grove of aspen and pine to an extensive family of oak trees and the marshlands that edge the property. A lush meadow lay on our right; the Sangre de Cristo Mountains rose ahead in the distance. As the kids piled out of the car they voiced our collective enthusiasm: "Wow, this place is awesome!"

We spent hours exploring the diverse terrain - moving from ridge to ridge, taking in the emerald vistas, marveling at the wildflowers and amazing variety of ecosystems and vegetation of this land. Finally, quieted by the flowing waters of Rio Casa and held in the lap of nature, we gathered in a circle and began the process of "inspired insights" that we had practiced together for so many years. Opening to our inner guidance and the spirit of the land, we closed our eyes and spoke into the circle what we heard in our hearts. When we opened our eyes, we were greeted by an iridescent burst of beauty: a hummingbird had come to bless and confirm that we were indeed to become stewards of this beautiful land. The dream we had held for so many years was about to become a reality ...and with it, of course, the struggles and challenges that accompany all intimate relationships and any pioneering endeavor.

We wanted a "co-creative community"- reflecting the integration of feminine and masculine virtues and whole-centered consciousness. We wanted, as individuals and as a group, to align the values of sharing and nurturing with the traits of focused purpose and action in the world. We wanted to replace dominance with partnership and empower each individual to express his or her unique gifts. This alignment of Self to Self, horizontally and vertically, is what we mean by "co-creation."

Our community began on that hot August day with a handful of people who were active in Global Family, an international peace-education organization that was founded in 1986 and aspires to shift consciousness and reunite our human family. The strength of our community has emerged from the depth of our friendships, the values, vision, and commitment that we share, and the co-creative principles that form the foundation of our service together.

We are drawn to one another through what we call "resonance"...a recognition of each other as soul family. We have experienced the importance of good communication skills, clear boundaries, emotional and psychological maturity, and financial integrity. We value individuality and diversity and recognize that sustainable relationships are built on honesty and integrity.

Hummingbird Ranch has grown slowly and organically over the past five years. We're now a community of 16 resident partners and two children, with four more people now going through the year-long courtship process. We've established an initial infrastructure for our summer programs with a community dome, strawbale bathhouse, and camp kitchen. We've hosted four Global Family gatherings; two permaculture design certification courses; a communities workshop; and "Convivium," a Sacred Passage program; and a transformational dance camp.

We have no leader. We see ourselves as a group of empowered individuals who encourage one another to step forward with leadership gifts in response to the needs of the moment. We operate by a set of principles described in our Co-Creator's Agreements and govern ourselves by council and whole-systems decision-making. (See "Co-Creators Agreements" and "Whole Systems Decision Making".)

We own our land collectively, and each of us maintains our personal financial resources. Financial contributions to the community vary radically as each of us gives according to our inner guidance and our ability to contribute at any given time. As is the case in many communities, dealing with financial responsibility serves to "flush up the shadow" and bring into clarity our conditioning around money issues. One of the continuing miracles has been paying our monthly mortgage. When we find ourselves in a financial shortfall, we convene by conference call, use an inspired insight process, and follow our guidance. Each time, in a matter of minutes, we find a way to cover our shortfall and move on to other business.

Recently we established our Financial Co-Creator Agreements. This process has helped make more conscious our fears and thoughts of scarcity-which is beneficial, as it helps us continue to heal old wounds of our personal and collective conditioning. It is our intention to leave these patterns behind and deepen in trust.

Over these past five years we've learned that our desire to maintain harmony and resonance at all times has sometimes caused us problems. For example, once a couple began the year-long courtship process to become new members. While several of us intuitively felt that we weren't aligned in our philosophy and values, we were so into being loving and accepting everyone that we didn't listen to our inner promptings or voice our concerns. After several months, we discovered that there wasn't a deep level of alignment and they didn't share a commitment to the birthing of a co-creative culture. Although we still felt them to be friends, it did not feel accurate for them to be at the core of the Community. This resulted in a painful experience of separation for them, as well as for us.

We learned through this experience that there are several components that are necessary for right relationship in the community. First is the feeling of being soul family, a deep connection of the heart. Next, it is important that we are aligned in our values. The third component is an experience that we have a shared purpose, that it is our destiny to model new possibilities in all areas of life that express the principles of co-creation.

We also recognize the importance of allowing relationships to mature. Now we are committed to really getting to know individuals who feel drawn to Hummingbird before we take the step into courtship and eventual partnership.

As we've journeyed through the past five years, we've deepened in our understanding that manifesting a dream like this is an awesome commitment. We must simultaneously design and build the community's physical infrastructure, host public programs, attract and integrate new individuals as resident partners, and discover and give birth to an evolving co-creative culture as we explore truth and create meaning together. We experience our community as a living laboratory serving the evolution of our consciousness.

The co-creative processes that underlie the culture of Hummingbird Ranch have been at the heart of Global Family's work for the past 15 years. We have shared these principles with groups all over the world and have lived them as daily practices in our desire to shift consciousness from separation and fear to unity and love. Rather than our figuring out these principles, they "came to us," just as similar consciousness principles were revealed to the Quakers as well as native peoples centuries ago.

The model, which we call the Circles of Co-Creation or the Core Group Process, emerged from Global Family cofounder Barbara Marx Hubbard's understanding of the ways in which many people are now joining in deep resonance for personal and social change. Although the process is nonlinear, it does involve ten aspects, and begins with the awakening of what we call the "Essential Self"- sometimes called the indwelling divine presence - as the individual moves beyond a strictly ego-based consciousness. This does not mean people must first be enlightened to be co-creative, but that they are at least aware of and largely guided by their spiritual nature, rather than the more self-centered and grasping ego-nature. (One)

When two or more people with this kind of emerging consciousness are drawn to each other, connecting heart to heart, they form an invisible magnetic field of love - what we call resonance. In a co-creative community, shared resonance reveals those who may be a part of that particular tribe or soul family. (Two)

In this caring field of trust, people feel safe to be vulnerable and authentic, to reveal their growing edges and move beyond the illusion of separation. Members of such a group learn a set of communication skills that help them express themselves more as Essence than ego. (Three)

Once they are united in resonance, they are able to access their collective wisdom by opening to higher guidance. Ideally, they can move beyond consensus in decision-making and align with a higher will, or with the designing intelligence of the universe. (Four)

People in such a group develop ceremonies and rituals to help anchor and actualize the state of resonance and oneness and consciously make their relationships sacred-to each other, to the Earth, and to Spirit. They take time to celebrate with one another and to give thanks for having discovered a loving community of friends. (Five)

An essential step in this Core Group Process is discovering and expressing one's soul's purpose. In this step, people discover their true place by following the wisdom of the heart and going within for guidance and direction. At Hummingbird Ranch, we do our best to select those tasks that allow us each to express our unique gifts so that our daily work can be meaningful and fulfilling. (Six)

Once people are aware of their unique soul's purpose, they are drawn to others who are aligned with their values, vision, and mission in order to fulfill their shared destiny. They look for right relationship as they enter into a state comparable to marriage, deepening their intimacy and committing themselves to be faithful to their partners and their agreed-upon actions. Spirit is configuring us into groups and teams so that we can play our parts in creating a new culture! (Seven)

As people gain access to their collective wisdom, discover their shared destiny, and experience group synergy, a new form of self-governance emerges. Attuning to the design of creation, they allow for decisions and right action to be revealed. Led by the self-organizing laws of nature, they observe "what wants to happen." As Essential Selves, people naturally desire to make optimum choices that honor their interconnectedness with all life. (Eight)

As people's lives are fulfilled, they are naturally inclined to serve, bringing the experience of resonance, love, and inspired insights to their group or community. (Nine)

In the final step of this process, Core Groups naturally converge with one another, giving birth to a co-creative society. The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN), for example, is one example of converging core groups that, individually and collectively, are making a difference in the world. (Ten)

Co-creative communities, whether rural or urban, intentional, neighborhood, or online, are sprouting throughout the world in the fertile soil of awakening consciousness. Guided from within, such groups and communities are joining with others in endeavors that embody the values and virtues of trust, respect, equality, cooperation, equanimity, generosity, integrity, and compassion.

There are no clear road maps as we are called to pioneer a new way of being, where our collective wisdom and inner guidance lead the way. At Global Family we believe that our culture stands at the threshold of a global renaissance that has only been dimly dreamed of by the visionaries of the human race. Collectively in intimate spiritual circles and community configurations, we are modeling new possibilities in manifesting a sustainable, planetary co-creative culture. As Thich Nhat Hanh said, "the next Buddha may not be an individual, but an enlightened community." At Global Family and Hummingbird Ranch, we rejoice in being apart of this unfolding dance.

Carolyn Anderson and Katharine Roske are founding members of Hummingbird Ranch in northern New Mexico and co-authors of The Co-Creator's Handbook: An Experiential Guide for Discovering Your Life's Purpose and Building a Co-Creative Society (Global Family, 2001).

Carolyn is a Co-founder and Co-director of Global Family. Katharine is an educator, workshop facilitator and youth advocate. Carolyn resides in Northern California and Katharine lives most of the year in Boulder, Colorado. Both spend several months each year at Hummingbird Ranch.

The following was included as a sidebar in the original article:

WHOLE SYSTEMS DECISION MAKING

As you have probably experienced, in a group setting we seem to gain access not only to our own inner voice, but to the collective intelligence of the entire circle. This collective intelligence can access a "template" or pattern of action for a community to discover its function within the larger social body. In a resonant field of love, the synergy of group energy magnetizes higher consciousness and wisdom for all. Each of us is often encouraged by the inspired group insights that can catalyze our own deeper knowing. This practice is particularly useful when dealing with challenging issues and difficult decisions.

First get all the facts out on the table and discuss them with as much mental clarity as possible. Honor the rational mind and value the contribution it makes.

Ask each individual to check in and clear any emotional issues or hidden agendas that may stand in the way of clarity.

Before beginning the meditative process we call Inspired Insights, frame the question as a group. Speaking the issue or question with clarity will draw forth clearer insights.

Decide who will facilitate the process and lead an initial relaxation exercise. It's beneficial to have one member of the circle take notes or record the session.

Go within, relax, listen, surrender, and allow your awareness to expand. Release the thinking mind and prepare to receive guidance from the Essential Self.

When the group has entered a meditative state, the facilitator may begin with an attunement that describes the desired qualities of the outcome.

The question is then offered, with the understanding that the answers already exist.

Each individual shares what he or she receives as it naturally arises. Often insights will come through a few members of the group as the others hold the resonant field. It is important to speak when inspired, rather than feeling obligated. If everyone is attuned with one another, usually what is shared will ring true to each member of the circle. If insights come which seem conflicting, it is important to hold the resonant field and allow the process to continue.

When it appears that all input has been shared, the facilitator gently brings the process to completion. Affirm areas of agreement and synthesize what was shared.

Take a moment to check in with your body and experience how the agreements feel. If alignment has not occurred, re-attune and spend some quiet time alone. It is often beneficial to take a break, walk in nature and be still.

It is also important that all voices are heard and honored. There can be a tendency to override an inner prompting or bodily feeling if there is a momentum building. It can be challenging to say this doesn't feel good to me." Have you ever had the experience of denying an intuitive feeling because the rest of the group had excitement and seemed to be aligned? Often clarity comes after the fact when we look back on a situation and say, "Why didn't I listen to my intuition?"

When all feel that clarity has been achieved, make appropriate choices that will move the decisions into action. Remember that this is not a vote, but an attunement.

Always aim at coming into a deep level of alignment. Seek to arrive at a collective "aha" that everyone can stand solidly behind.