So I went to a meeting on Sunday, and though it was small, it went well. I obtained enough contact info to begin communicating my vision. Here is what I said:
----------- Ho one and all, My name is John Carl. I have just recently (last year) learned of DQ University, and only very recently become involved - the last two meeting of the minds, held in Davis. I would like to share my thoughts. I was invited to share my thoughts and goals with the small group that met yesterday, Rudy who was leading the meeting at the time, offered me th opportunity, which I deferred till I could hear what others had to say. That seemed right to me others who have been struggling long. I never did get a chance to speak myself, and I promised those there that I would say what I have to say in e-mail, which is good for me because I don't get as flustered or confused when I can pause and think while I communicate. So this is a good way for me. Another good thing, is that every single person who did share, said for me what was on my heart to say anyway. Things I thought were important to share, you already know and are saying yourself. Education of the young. Preservation of the old ways. Learning how to adapt to the modern world and be successful in it, without losing one's heritage and traditions. Permaculture. Education. Healing. These things which are so needed in the world today, and which we have an opportunity to create and share, are exactly the things which I heard others say they want. And even more; though it might seem ridiculous, I found a lot of hope. Others besides me believe two important things: there is good and it is attainable. Ho indeed. Of what was shared yesterday, my closest agreement was with what Alapay described. Whatever Spirit has led her thinking has led mine as well. Swales. Permaculture techniques and in-ground housing with solar orientation are long-standing passionate interests of mine. I'm ready to begin digging immediately. I have a shovel. I know how to use it. I also have a plan. Jim Rose, who spoke before Alapay, said what we need is "the most basic structure". That phrase stuck in my brain and if I'd had a chance to speak before the group, I was going to write that down on the big chalkboard at the front of the room. So picture those words in your imagination. Then picture me drawing a big circle under those words. A circle is the most basic structure. My goal for DQU is that we create a circle, near the center of the property, circle of 144 acres. Beyond this circle we create a ring and divide this ring into twelve sections. The goal of this circle is to create a protected space where the old ways reign. Inside this circle, none of the white man's ways are allowed. No cameras, no twinkies, no radio, no tv and no anthropologists. I call this circle, the center of the world and the only one allowed in the center are those willing to recreate the old ways and preserve them. My idea is that to enter the center, you must be willing to commit to living for a year without recourse to modern civilization and its friendly amenities. The only support for those in the center comes from their tribal support system living in the surrounding ring. And before you can enter the center, you have to spend an entire year living in the outer ring, learning and practicing the old ways of sustenance before you go in. After successfully completing this year, a person achieves the status of an advanced degree from DQU and is free to move in and out of the center, bringing wisdom gained into the outer rings where the old ways meld with modern life in new and creative ways. The outer rings contain the colleges of training where accreditation and such is permitted, but the center is not subject to judgement by modern accreditation committees. The other main feature I see as necessary, is the cooperation of 12 tribes to populate this ring around the center. The tribes recreate their unique cultural history here, support the center and grow outwards into distinct colleges of learning. Before the 12 can be gathered, the four roots must form, the southern, eastern, western and northern tribes, each with their specialty which makes DQU a valuable place to learn indigenous permaculture/architecture, Natural healing and health care, education with childcare and philosophy, communications and security. These skills are valuable enough that we can attract those who want to learn how to live in harmony on the earth, without regard to accreditation. We need this structure to start. Later we would hope to gain accreditation, but we need to form the program before there is anything to be judged accreditation-worthy. The main feature of my goal for DQU is that we can begin immediately. We can start by marking the boundaries and inviting the key tribes to join our efforts. The other feature is that this cooperation of the tribes, northern and southern, helps maintain tribal identity. Instead of a tribe being stuck off in a reservation by itself, it is standing side by side with other tribes to contrast and compare and compete (in friendly creative ways) and mutually support the goals of all. There is more, of course. But that is the heart of my vision for DQU and I thank you all for being involved and sharing your ideas and hopefully many people will find hope in our phoenix-like arising. May the land be populated with human beings. John Carl Moq_Discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
