Part 4 · Going Forth
(We Are Not) The Wall (reprise)
Sit With This — reflect on any question that resonates with you
Theme: solidarity, collective voice, the promise to carry one another
- If you imagined the wall not as a system but as a habit, belief, or role you play, what brick might actually be yours to remove?
- Can you identify any inner shifts that might come before outer action? Is there anything to let go of?
- Who are your allies and inspirations?
- What are you leaving with tonight that you didn't arrive with?
- What do you want to carry forward — into your week, your relationships, your work?
- What is one small act of solidarity you could offer in the next seven days?
Gift and Step ▾
A practice from the Work That Reconnects · Joanna Macy, Active Hope
Three questions in sequence, each one narrowing the last, until what you are left with is small enough to actually do and specific enough that you would notice if you didn’t.
How it works
- The Gift — what quality or capacity do you bring? Not the impressive version. The real one.
- The Step — what is one action you will take before the next month — proportionate to your actual life?
- The Companion — who will you take that step with?
Share in pairs. Speak all three before switching.
Facilitation note: emphasise proportionality, not heroism. The naming of a companion is the most important part — social support is the strongest predictor of follow-through. 10 minutes in pairs.
Seed and Stone ▾
A closing ritual that needs two objects and no explaining. You hold something you would like to grow and something you are ready to set down, and by the end your hands have rather done the deciding for you.
You'll need
A seed for each person — a sunflower seed, a pumpkin seed, or any seed to hand. If you don't have a seed, anything edible works symbolically. And a stone — ideally gathered from outside beforehand, though anything small and solid will do.
How it works
Hold the seed in one hand and the stone in the other. The seed represents something you want to grow inside you — an intention you're choosing to carry away from this evening. The stone represents something you're ready to let fall, to leave behind.
Take a few quiet moments to name each one to yourself. When you're ready, set the stone down — on the ground, in a bowl, wherever feels right — and keep the seed. Carry it with you, or plant it.
Fireside variation
If you have a fire, you can use it instead of the stone. Write what you're letting go of on a small piece of paper and give it to the flames. Then eat the seed — swallowing the intention rather than carrying it in your hand.
Facilitation note: gather seeds and stones in advance if hosting a group — a small bowl of each, placed by the door, works well. Allow a few minutes of silence for people to arrive at what they're naming before they set the stone down. 5–10 minutes.