Listening to the river
Welcome, I hope that you find something of interest here. The Posts and Articles page is where new material will be added irregularly.
I work with people who have experienced great distress, and disorder, in their lives. Many of them have shared their experiences with me, offering me insights into other ways of seeing the world. Whilst none of them are responsible for what is written here, I owe them a great deal; because they have helped me see that there are many perspectives from which to view any situation.
I am fascinated by complexity theory. I know little or no mathematics and this undoubtedly restricts my understanding; but I am learning all the time about its application to relationships between human beings. For a while I worked in a Therapeutic Community. This was probably the most significant event in my professional life. There I learnt about the courage, and learning, that people can offer each other, even when they are severely distressed. One of my present activities is being involved in the Institute for the History and Work of Therapeutic Environments (IHWTE). You can visit the website, or that of the Planned Environment Therapy Trust (PETT), by going to the Posts and Articles page and ‘clicking’ the relevant site in the blogroll at the bottom right hand side of the page.
Greece is another source of inspiration, the landscape, the history, the music, the people and the archaeology. Wandering amongst the stones I find inspiration, peace and evidence of man’s incredible diversity and creativity.
There are many threads that connect us together, and it is the exploration of these that is the central theme of this site.
Please feel free to comment. The ideas expressed here are continually evolving.
Why lapwing?
To watch a flock of lapwings lifting off a field in the twilight, and watch them all turn together reflecting the setting sun, and then silhouetted, is an abiding image for me. It connects with the complexity ideas of flocking, self organising groups that work to inbuilt rules rather than leadership, which as a result are more flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances rapidly. I also enjoy them working their way through meadows, a sight I used to see regularly when I lived in Wiltshire many years ago; but which is much rarer now.
Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul (Thankyou Mr Robert Hunter)
Really nice Tom ……. Thank you