Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Dealing with self interest VS what's best for everybody

[Monty Berman (mberman]

Michael's response to the self-interest dilemma is interesting and 
creative, and looks like it could be a fun event. The piece I suggest adding 
has to do with  making sure, prior to getting rid of self-interest, to 
first celebrate it. For me, what underlies acting from my self-interest 
is the lack of having had significant others really interested in my 
needs or wants, that is, in what I may have been experiencing. It's been 
a great step forward for me to have become a champion for myself, and 
pay/give myself the attention that I craved. It's also hard for me to see 
the degree to which, at times, my  self-attention excludes consideration 
for others. Thus, I suggest that acting ONLY from one's self-interest 
does not serve the person, nor can s/he feel good about it. I know I 
would love to give up those things that I am unhealthily attached 
to---and ususally only need an opportunity to do so. Of course, the 
authenticity of this opportunity is crucial as is, I believe, the 
respectfulness around it---which might be accomplished by all present 
getting in touch with their own areas of self-interest which might be at the 
expense of others.
        So, prior to Michael's burning ceremony, some outrageous 
role-playing of self-interest might be a fun preliminary.

Monty Berman, the First Residents Group, EcoVillage at Ithaca

On Tue, 5 Mar 1996, Michael John Omogrosso wrote:

> The name sharingwood has always brought a sense of harmony to this 
> otherwise chaotic life. Is this a consensus group?  If so a bit of 
> rejuvination of the process retreat stlye might be in order.
> 
> In like fashion, a festival of residents to remind all what brought youn 
> together.  Have a fetish ceremony where everyone makes a clay or wood 
> energy retainer then pour your individual self interest into it and cast 
> them into a bonding fire.  Important to be the first to acknowledge some 
> level of self interest (bound to have some, eh?) as an example.
> 
> But what the hey, only you know the particulars.
> 
> michael omogrosso
> om circle coordinator
> spirit booth
> oregon country fair
>