Dear Bob

[Claudy E. Chapman]

Dear Bob:

I write this to all in the International Black Summit to expand the conversation of the Summit.

I have to begin with “Dear Bob” because I know of no other word to express how close I am to all of you in this moment. Please know that whenever you read this, and every time you read this it “is this moment,” and I am with you.

I asked that you read this when you had the time, because I am writing to Bob as it flows from me.

My experience this weekend is indescribable. I am unable to, and have no desire to, keep from sharing my joy, my fire, my passion, and intention for myself, the Black community, and the world. I assert that what I intend for myself as the highest good, is the intention for my family, the Black community and the whole world.

Sometime ago I set the intention of receiving a “kick ass” facilitator training at the IBS facilitator training at the IBS facilitator retreat, and I did. I got that when the intention was set, it came with expectations. In spite of the expectations of a curriculum, and scheduled agenda, it occurred for me in a real dramatic way.

What I got:

• The process of being a facilitator.
• • The training to be a facilitator in the IBS is completely experiential. Like the IBS, the training occurs in a conversation and not in print or instructional video media. The power of the conversation occurs within the distinction of the process. Clearing, Authentic Listening, Tracking, Intentions, Noticing, Declaring, Accountability and more.
• The power of I
• • In the weekend, I got that my role of as facilitator is to listen, listen authentically. As facilitator, I am charged to, and accept the responsibility for clearing the space; to use language as a tool so that the speaker may speak the stuff that’s there.
  • My role as facilitator is not to fix the speaker. In fact the IBS is not a “fix it moment,” rather I am accountable as facilitator to clear, to listen people so hard that they hear themselves speak.
• Why male participation is important in all levels of the IBS
• • In the weekend, I got present to the distinctions of the conversation brought about by Orin, Trevor and myself. I got and contributed to the conversation, the process of clearing, from the perspective and distinctions that male energy and experiences bring to the clearing. The contribution that I bring to the conversation with my IBS sisters expands the possibilities in the space for all listeners. The gender based life experience is shared in the space such that through authentic listening, Bob is more aware of the expansion.

What occurs for me because of the retreat, are the modes of perception in being. This conversation was conceptualized as we cleared around “expectations. “ Barbara Bob who spoke the noticing of discomfort and the distance between “reality and expectations.” As Barbara stated, “the shorter distance between a reality and an expectation the less discomfort there is.” Llinar introduced the concept of “actuality” as what is so, with reality being a perception of or an interpretation of actuality. I introduced “possibility” to the conversation. For me, the process looks like this:

From actuality comes reality. The journey from actuality to reality is a process of my interpretation of actuality.

Within my reality is my creation catalyst, possibility. With possibility acting on my reality, I clear space for creating me.

Expectations are my imagined outcomes for a future reality. Expectations are never in the moment, rather they are future fantasies.

There is so much more to share and to thank each and every participant in the retreat for. Thanks to those who participated via phone, for your consideration and extra effort to stay online and through some of the technological difficulties.

Thank you to Andrea Bob for your clearing and sharing that allowed so much of the IBS conversation to expand. Thank you for coming to Orlando and being present in the house.

Orin Saunders: Sharp focused insightful

Jackie Ottawa: Quiet profound presence

Charlee Sutton: Organizational (master) mechanic

Barbara Gadgebeku: Smiling Buda

Carolyn Wells: New Orleans Bound

Rosemary Blake: Special Role Model

Dorothy Lewis: The Salad Queen

Andrea Chapman: Happy Dancer

Chickasha Showers: Bold Possibility Being

Joyce Jones Jones: Determined Technology Healer

Nancy Simmons: My Trusted Friend

Adrienne Codette: Deep Water

Susan Shelton: Someone I Would Like to Know

Etoy Ridgnal Tharpe +2: My Daughter

Trevor Wilson: My Brother

Tamara Young; Master Listener

Peri Francis: Full of Energy

Thank you Llinar Bragg, and John Thomas for the technical assistance in expanding the conversation, and to all those who called in.

This weekend is an act of love.