CREATING THE SPACE OF MASSIVE EXPANSION!

Rooted in the FIVE ELEMENTS OF CREATION – the BLOOM Philosophy draws on the worlds of indigenous ritual, transformation and personal development to help us create a space in which EVERYONE BLOOMS. To create this space requires a solid commitment to everyone to adhere to the following practices.

These practices are distinguished by each of the elements of creation, which when all in place ensures that we all BLOOM MASSIVELY! 

It is requested that members of this journey fully understand these agreements and practices and give their word to keep them for the advancement of the group and themselves.

THE AGREEMENTS & PRACTICES

MINERAL – TO HEAR & BE HEARD

This is the space from which our stories emerge. To hold this space we are asking that you do the following:

1) Listen Deeply. Which means…Listen to understand. Listen Actively. Listen to appreciate. Listen with empathy. Listen in order to acknowledge. Once you see and hear gold, reflect back the light.

2) One voice. When one person speaks the rest listen in honor and to uplift the importance of that person’s contribution

3) Speak from I. Say ‘I’ if you’re speaking from your own lived experience

Rather than YOU. E.g. “You know when you get to church late and you feel shame?” Rather say “When I get to church late I feel shame.”

Honesty, clarity and ownership

4) Speak More/Speak less: Recognize your usual mode when sharing in groups and challenge yourself to be different. If you’re a talker, hold back a little and create space for others. If you’re often the quiet observer, step into silence more than you’re used to. Especially when you have something others will undoubtedly benefit from hearing

NATURE – TO MOVE & CHANGE

This is the space that when held allows for us to come alive to the adventure of life. To hold this space please do the following:

1) Participate. Give 100% of what you have to offer regardless of what that 100% looks like. 100% when I’m upset and exhausted looks different to 100% when I’m ‘vibing’ and feeling great. Give you best in each moment

2. Make Consistent BOLD MOVES. Make daily bold moves with intention and allow the change that requires.
3. Find New Ease OUT SIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. Notice where you are stuck and fearful, and commit to exploring an experience outside your comfort zone. 

FIRE – TO BE VISIBILITY & VALUE OTHERS

This is the space of visibility and value. To hold this space it is requested that you do the following:

1)  To stand for my value. This means knowing the value of  Your word – The experience you bring and provide – Your knowledge and skills –  Your ability to connect people –  Material and financial resources.

2) Know and stand for the value of others – Their word – The experience they bring and provide – Their knowledge and skills –  Their ability to connect people –  Their material and financial resources.

WATER – CONNECTION

This is the space where we maintain our connection to each other emotionally. We request that you practice the following.

1) Challenge the issue, rather than the individual E.g. “that’s complete nonsense, you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

As opposed to…

“I’ve heard you and I have a different way of seeing this.”

Create communication and feedback from a place of construction rather than destruction

2) Be responsible (able to respond to your own feelings and needs, and empathetic of the feelings and needs of others.

Group members recognize the constructs of choice and responsibility and by doing so disconnect with the common human tendencies to judge and to blame. Instead they explore how they could do things differently in order to get the results they desire.

EARTH – ALIGNMENT & ABUNDANCE

This is the space that ensures a sense of safety, belonging, grounding and balance. The following are the practices for holding this space.

1) To Honor your word. The agreement to honor your word is an opportunity to practice doing as you say you will. This intense focus is with the personal and group intention to build the muscle of integrity.

2) To Keep to time. Relates to keeping your word. This facilitates efficiency, and honors the time of all others in the group.

Honoring your word in this context may look like showing up on time for gathering of your group or journey. Acknowledging your absence and responding to its impact.

3) Keep Confidences. What’s said here and is clearly sacred stays here. Own your own story and allow others to own theirs. If people want it shared publicly they are to openly state that. With that said, the experience, the learning and the essence of each journey’s experience can be shared far and wide and be celebrated

4) The Etiquette of the Feast. To practice the “Etiquette of the Feast” — to ask for what I need and share generously with others at the table. A hallmark of this etiquette is that we each first seek to provide for others what they need, with the confidence that the same is being done for you.

WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KEEP THESE AGREEMENTS

We each carry many of the above behaviors as part of who you are; however in the dynamics of everyday life and communication, mistakes are common. The guiding principles underpinning the agreement and the way it is held are:

Safety. Creating a space in which a set of empowering and transformative behaviors are upheld can build a deep level of trust and confidence that the environment can contain a level sharing and intimacy

Keeping your word. The agreements are an opportunity to practice doing as you say you will. This intense focus is with the personal and group intention to build the muscle of integrity

I matter. Individuals recognise their supreme value and act in accordance with preserving and increasing it. Each person strives to disconnect past unwanted experiences, hurts, labels and injustices from who they are.

 I’m responsible for myself. Group members understand and are able to respond to the constructs of their choices. By doing so, they disconnect from the common human tendencies to judge and to blame. Instead they explore how they could do things differently in order to get the results they desire.

Permission. Committing to the agreement also relies on a commitment to be held accountable through an enabling process of developmental coaching. In other words by agreeing you will give whoever is charged with the responsibility of facilitating the space, permission to coach you in your pursuit towards becoming through integrity.

Permission can only ever be given, it cannot be taken by force and at any point you and any other member of the group may choose to take back that permission. This is usually a sign a person no longer feels ‘safe’ or realizes they are not fully in alignment with the philosophy.

When mistakes are made the facilitator of the space will hold the above intentions and follow these 5 steps of support

1 Notice. A single word or non-verbal cue like a glance or simply saying the persons’ name is enough to bring them back to consciousness. They recognise the support, correct the behavior and move on.

2 Quick check-in. E.g. ‘Akua I notice the word YOU a lot when sharing about yourself, what do you need to get back on track with using I?’

3 Group exploration. In a group setting behavior begins to fall outside the agreement, the facilitator will stop the conversation and explore the behavior through enquiry.

Their intention is to enable to group to acknowledge and review the behavior, identify it’s impact, clear anything that needs to be cleared and bring agreed behavior back into being

4 One to one (private check –in). The facilitator recognizes the issue would be best explored in a private coaching conversation. During the conversation the facilitator names the behavior and explores it with the team member. Once they acknowledge, or identify the noted behavior and be supported to realign with the agreement before re-joining the group.

5 Exit group. A coaching conversation leads the team member to realize they’re either not in alignment with the philosophies and agreement, or are simply unable to manage their behavior. Through their behavior, they choose to leave the group’s journey..

Key References:

Olubode Shawn Brown: BLOOM The Essential Journey, The Holy Bible, The Adinkra, Leap Confronting Conflict: From Violence to Resilience, Truth and Reconciliation, Ubuntu,  Marshall Rosenberg Nonviolent Communication, Restorative Justice, Mediation. Kweku Aacht & the AWO Hub Guidelines & Practices.

WHAT WE VALUE

At BLOOM we believe that human beings unfold from the inside out, and that what unfolds is good, if we but let it. We believe that gender, sexuality, race, culture and nationality are not polarizing destinations but are unique expressions of this unfolding.  The spaces we create -- BLOOM Spaces -- are unique opportunities to witness and celebrate each other's becoming.  They are dynamic spaces in which people of different ages, races, nationalities and orientations gather to celebrate our shared life.

With that said we offer the following guidelines for being in these spaces -- at our parties, events, in our FB Groups and gatherings.

1. BLOOM Space is created by all the people who are there. It is a shared creation. Please be there with the intention of being your best and authentic self. By this we mean that you arrive with a loving intention and are prepared to bring your best efforts and abilities to realize your intention for the party, event or gathering while being open to change, and the unpredictable ways in which your intentions may be realized.
2. When in BLOOM Space communicate fully and completely what you need to. Everyone needs to be heard. Say it without needing to know that you agree with or caring that you are contraindicated in any way. BLOOM Space is an open space where folks are free to agree, disagree or just to hangout and observe. You can be in a Circle or not -- and simply be a butterfly moving from group to group, conversation to conversation.
3. We believe that everyone is unique and needs to be acknowledged and appreciated for who they are. This means, their gender expression, dress, sexuality. speech or point of view. Our events are an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate differences. There is no "right" way to be. Negative stereotyping or demeaning others is unacceptable. 
4. We value connection. Try at all times to be compassionate with others. Try to understand what they are feeling and get on the same page. If you are not able to, accept that you will not be on the same page with others at all times. No means no. Do not touch anyone without their permission or implicit consent. There is a zero tolerance of violence or any kind. 
5. Say what you are going to do and do it. We value integrity. If at any time you cannot honor any of the above guidelines simply say so.  We will assume that by your ongoing participation with BLOOM that you have agreed to these guidelines. It is your promise to honor these guidelines that ensure the safety, stability and continued growth of BLOOM Spaces.