Friday, June 19, 2009

Kings College

I am not used to working with students.
But always love it love it.

As always I enter a group with
nothing other than who I am.
What I do/done.

I can offer nothing to formal education.
Offer nothing but
they can culturally transpose my stuff
into their own context.
That means that they need to stretch and me too
always.

King’s has a strong academic reputation.
According to The Guardian newspaper,
King's College London,

the London School of Economics,
Imperial College London and
University College London,

each 'have international reputations that in this country
only Oxbridge can beat'.


I went to University.
Several times.
Usually on one day visits.
The University of Life
has been my education.

Last week-end a CEO told me
that his chosen career was as a result
of reading my first book -
Gutter Feelings.
I was pleased to hear that.
It was in the early 80's when I went to Coventry University
and led a week-end house-party there - and he was there.
The book was about Gangs and was read by many
in prisons around the UK and many
Youth Workers and people workers everywhere.

I have had some good feedback from prison and elsewhere.
(Hoping to republish the book soon).

Had a great time at Kings this week.
Focus on ECM
(Every Child Matters)
and in particular working on SEAL.
(Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning.)

What I find in all contexts,
that every time I ask humans
'how do you feel right now'?
they tell me what happened (Fact)
and shortly followed by
what they are thinking - not
their feelings.
This happens with students and practitioners.

If we are not in touch with our own feelings
we cannot understand the feelings of another.

Emotional Literacy is the process of becoming -
becoming more aware.
It is even more important than
NVC/Body Language.

I usually lead exercises which trigger feelings.
Then I stop to do analysis.
Reflect and learn from the feelings disturbed.
They are real feelings.
Maybe disturbed in a one minute role play.
But real and powerful.
We can learn so much from these situations.
I love it love it.

Learning to love comes out of these experiences.
Love is the most powerful means of humans deciding to seek change
development
growth
liberation
justice.
I am in love with love
and divine love.
my way, is my way
past
present
future .............