What is an underlying question that gives form
to your work or interest in this field?
Who is this one in the circle and what is the nature
of our experience?
What is your personal experience of collective
wisdom in groups?
Founded in 1995 with my wife and business partner of
25 years, Patricia, Heartland Institute has been convening gatherings
of various stripes as our primary activity for 8 years. Producing large
scale conferences, convening ongoing member based circles of leaders,
intimate community groups organized for political, educational and spiritual
action, Heartland’s work is described as convening “Essential
Conversations for these times”. Our vision is to fuel the evolution
of leaders who choose to contribute to sustaining life in ourselves,
or organizations and the world. We do this through various programs
including the Thought Leader Gatherings, The Circle of Fire and programs
for business school students, educators and leaders of all kinds.
I was instrumental in founding the Utne Reader
Neighborhood Salons in the early 90s, which within 4 years had 18,000
members and 500 active groups. Raised by a bookstore owner and artistically
plagued insurance executive, throughout my childhood I was a fly on
the wall at their salons, “thinkers and drinkers”.
What is it about the work in this field that excites
you and connects you to your own deepest self?
My work is to convene & guide circles of peers to
create a field of love in recognition of who we really are in truth.
"You are called to forget what you
have learned and realize what you know. " - The Dialogues
Please provide a brief storyline or snapshot of
what brought you to this work.
In 1963,as a senior in High School, I marched in the
Aug. march on Washington. That day I woke up for the first time to my
life’s work and found my calling.
Since then, my life has been about bringing together
groups of people to explore the authenticity of being human. First,
as a civil rights and free speech organizer in High School, then Pro
Peace and Love-Ins in college. In the late 60’s we organized for
People’s Park, various political and social movements along with
arts and spiritual exploration.
I helped start two intentional communities in Vermont,
one focused on politics and education and the other physical manifestation
of the Whole Earth Catalog.
Spiritual communities followed with Arica, Dawn Horse
Communion, EST and Actualizations.
Mentors have included my 3 children, my beloved Patricia,
grandsons, FireHawk and Pele Rouge, Amy Lenzo, Peter Block, Meg Wheatley,
Benna Mayflower Hunt Neal, my sainted mother Barbara Neal, Grandfathers-
Bop Larsen and Earl P Neal Sr to name a few…
Then there are….
Hank Nerbonne taught me how to pull a transmission,
plant a garden, roll a cigarette and clean a gun while drunk on cheap
wine.
Lyman Wood taught me the value of the headline and
marketing proposition. Why gardening was the ultimate political act.
Bubba Free John taught me how to sit and listen.
Oscar Ichazo opened more doors for me than anyone.
The Thought Leader Community has brought me great
love and appreciation for the arc of recognition.
How would you like to be available to others in
this field?
I’d be honored to make myself available to others
in a variety of ways. I am interested in creating circles of knowledge
in relationship. I feel it is critical we gather as often as possible
to ask one another the compelling issues of the day.
Who are we? Why are we Here? What are we to do?
I am willing to act as convener for regional Circles
of Collective Wisdom Initiative.
Are we willing to be in community with one another?
What are the questions burning in our hearts we wish to ask each other
in person? Are we desperate enough for love and community to be beacons
in our respective communities?
