Through
working with Joe Schaeffer, a cultural anthropologist, we have gained
much deep meaning of the nature of living in community, especially
living with the differences between people. I promote Joe's work in
the belief that it is paramount to human development.
In his work, Joe has developed The Stone Game®, a
metaphor of communication and community that allows one to live in
partnership rather than domination.
The
game is played in silence, using stones as markers of meaning. When I
place a stone on the playing field, you can only guess what I intend
--- and respond to me by placing your stone in turn.
The
process is subtle. We interact with each other, creating patterns that
represent who we are, how we make choices in life in our interactions.
We may come to realize that no stone is more important than any other
and that outcomes are co-created.
The
Stone Game®
is a powerful metaphor for me. I use it during the Men
and Women Coming Together workshop and in many other subtle ways in
my life.
Dave
