Introduction
Project ME is mainly about my self development. Like the 4 dimensions of sustainability (Social, Spiritual, Ecological and Economy), this OP looked at shaping my life in these different dimensions to maintain a balance. The hope is that in reading this OP, you should be inspired by some of the design tools used to make the transformation for yourself. If you are already self transformed, then I encourage you to share the tools with others in your network and continue to build on them until they become real mind changing for all.
One of the achievements has been the development of a personal/professional blog, which I now use to showcase my vision, projects and goals for my pathway. An even greater, is the addition of a collective consciousness arm to this project. In the course of developing the blog, I experienced some strategic developments in myself, my skill-sets and my consciousness. Some of which, stem from my extensive travel experience, and has in a bid contributed to the realisation of this OP. Most of the tasks set out in my LIPD for OP2 are completed and I look forward to continue building on new skills gained, opportunities and projects. I consider this OP the foundation of my pathway as it will lead to the development and branding of every other thing I do.
In this report, we will explore the context of self development from different perspectives. We will also look at how self development is interlinked with collective consciousness, forming an Ecosocial perspective. The different processes and purposes of creating a blog and skills gained. We will look at present and future opportunities that have arose from the different strings of my self transformation and how I intend to build on them. I invite you to stay open to the insignificant but important details of some of the tools used, especially those involved in learning my local language.
Background and Context
We live in an "I" world, where everything starts from that central point. Our forefathers used traditional methods like spiritual initiations, masquerades (jujus) to belong to a group, and yet felt the bond of oneness. In order for us to live in a patrix free system, we need to start eliminating those distresses within us. It is thus important to arm ourselves with the spiritual, social, financial and cultural stamina necessary to confront life's blessings and challenges.
Some very basic expressions of a maturing consciousness is an enhanced capacity for self-reflection, self-determination, error embracing (recognises that the development of every society will involve mistakes), non-attached (neutral and impartial), inclusive (everyone is as important as the other), anticipatory (consider alternative pathways into the future), and creative (explore options and open to eventualities).
It is thus important for me to be assertive while assimilating with the I in others. When this happens, the two, three and millions start living their I's in oneness, accepting the diversity within us, in a shared vision and forming a global community of love, solidarity and trust. This is the foundation on which my quest for self development is built. Permit me use the famous patrix expression to create an analogy. The bible says: Until God builds a foundation, the builders build in vain. So until we have set up this foundation of spirituality (listening to insight), community and professionalism, everything else we do will be floating. We need to move from the I to the oneness in the whole. It is with this background that I took a step back from every other thing I was involved in, to strengthen my spirituality, reconnect to my cultural heritage by knowing more about it, and using technology and all its benefits to become more professional.
In the West, creating a blog is a deja vu; in Cameroon, creating a blog is a process innovation. Despite the technological gap we live in, this blog is an evidence of commitment to a course. This blog is also a platform to showcase the work of other young Africans, carrying out beautiful operations on the ground. Ken Wilber also writes eloquently about the spiritual potential inherent in the communications evolution: “Spirit will move through circuits of finer optics as well as through flesh and blood; and all of that will be natural, and normal, and alive; and from within that global network the new voices of transcendence will begin to attract those sensitive to the Divine”
Do African youth continue to disregard professionalism because we have limited resources, gap in technology or do we share in Lynne Twist's view that technology and collective consciousness are related. Lynne says: "... It looks like a technological breakthrough, then I realised it is actually a consciousness breakthrough that is showing up in technology..."
Just like computer systems are interrelated, we are each other!
Learnings and EcoSocial Perspective
Blogging and learnings
The primary outcome of this project is the creation of a blog, except for the addition of collective consciousness as a tool to heal the patrix distresses in our society.
While developing this blog, I used the social innovation model and extensive research in the areas of interest. I had learnt a lot from the collective consciousness, writing tips, blogging etc.
- The tip on getting a title sheet was very inspiring to get me going. First I had a list developed during my main advising session, later on edited into a more comprehensive list.
- On the other hand, some of the findings were inadequate like writing in an editor program. Though I have come to use Google docs a lot, typing articles directly into it did not seem appropriate. This is because internet connectivity is sometimes unreliable, causing live pages to freeze. For this, I always write posts on an offline program on my computer or a note book because I can always continue working on them with or without internet and electricity.
- I had developed a strong local support network which reduced the pressure from technology (computer and electricity). Seeking local and adaptable solutions to challenges were helpful to engage fully in the process.
- Repetition served as emphasis in areas where I was doubtful of my findings. I read further articles on collective consciousness from the Social Guide to Ecovillage Design. I compared the similarity in content from information gotten from different sources. A title list sank deep into me and felt like the best step to take because I had it first from my Main Advisor, Ariane Burgess.
Self development and collective consciousness (EcoSocial)
There is never one true route and nothing operates as an Island. There is strong inter- and inner- relationship between self development and collective consciousness. As we self transform, we must retain the picture of a holistic view. It is necessary to explore how the I fits into the WE, WORLD and WE and WORLD into the I. It must form a complete circle. Thus, an investment in the self becomes an investment in the whole. With this awareness, everything we communicate - spiritually, socially, culturally or on the internet should be grounded in collective consciousness, because it has the potential to heal the Patrix distresses existing within us and our society.
Purpose and Process
This Project is meant to address the needs of most African youth who have not been able to communicate what they are doing on the ground.
The goal is to develop a blog for professional profiling, learn and understand more about my culture, learn my local language (Bafut) and self transform through retreats, yoga, and meditative practices.
There were different processes involved in the development of this project.
- For the blog development, I used journaling to gather ideas. It took quite a while to decide on the theme of the site. Get it done, then get it good was helpful tool to get me going with writing articles and not border about on the looks of it. Most of the posts were written within one week and edited by Clive Michael Justice, my local coach.
- I had attended cultural events and festivals in Bafut to get in touch with the culture. I participated on a radio program (Cameroon Radio and Television (CRTV), North West Region) on "Marriage and bride price in Bafut".
- Daily meditative sessions with guidance from Eileen Caddy's Opening Doors Within and The Angel Cards by Kathy Tyler and Joy Drake were helpful to ground my day. A 2 day retreat at Bafut Ecovillage and 1 day retreat at Saddle Hill Ranch and Resort, Bafut encouraged and led to the development of a 3 years plan for my life.
- I took weekly language classes with Joshua Konkankoh, Director of Better World Cameroon who is very fluent in Bafut. My learning was segmented into different categories - Nouns, Verbs, Expressions, etc.
Throughout this time, Joshua and Clive Michael were deeply engaged in my pathway. Joshua assisted more in the envisioning of a 3 year plan and goal to speak Bafut by December 2016. Clive Michael coached me on my pathway goals and objectives, tracks my projects and promises, edit blog posts and advice on how to improve my writing skills.
Please see the supporting evidence section for links and pictures for a detailed review.
Outcomes and Interventions
Outcomes to the Field
Posts on Social Innovation and The Economy of Love were timely with the SGD discussions going on. Most importantly, the post on multitasking fits into my current situation of handling more than one role in big institutions, and having to do everything at same time. It is also appealing to young aspiring entrepreneurs, who are probably caught up between handling a full time job and living their dreams. So far, posts on Social Innovation and multitasking have yielded positive feedback from a community of friends. This public reaction explains that people resonate with these issues, thus find them a helpful read.
Personal and Professional Outcomes
- A Blog
- Part time job with GEN Africa (1 hour a day for 1 year)
- Selected to undergo entrepreneurship program with Sekem for 6 months to 1 year.
- A built in profile as a good communicator and facilitator: invited to co-facilitate EDE Ghana (Feb 15 to March 19, 2016) with Kosha Joubert, Paul Yeboah, Camilla Nielsen, Jan Kipper; learning and sharing with these experienced world facilitators.
- A strong local support network.
- Spiritually grounded to withstand life's challenges.
- I am open to the wide Global Ecovillage Network of experts from diverse fields to learn and create with.
And finally, a network of peers, feeling supported and heard!