Core Groups

A term that’s been floating through my mind lately is “core.”

Whether an apple core, the body’s core, or the core of the earth, “core” is defined as “the central, innermost, or most essential part of anything.”

There’s also “corps,” or “a group of persons associated or acting together: the diplomatic corps; the press corps.”

Although pronounced the same way, the two terms are rarely connected.  However, they are undoubtedly part of each other.  For example, the etymology of both words seem to indicate that they derived from the Latin word for body, “corpus.”  From there both terms made their way into Old French and Middle English before they arrived at their current definitions.

I find this interesting and significant because a core of people can create the backbone or “central, innermost, most essential part of….” Well… anything. 

Core groups are found in the military, as in the Marine Corps, but they’re also found in activist work, spiritual work, as well as in creative and business endeavors.  Often people in these situations gather with the intent to become the foundation of something specific - a mission, a movement, or to germinate an idea that they may run together, or allow to fly on its own.  

Sometimes we find ourselves in a core group without intending to.  When this happens it cannot be without consent, or the group isn’t truly a core.  I’m thinking of yoga classes, when people gather together with one intention (self-health and awareness), and by the end of the class find themselves pulling together the energy raised and sending it into the world with intent (either varied personal intents, or one singular intent).  This also happens at spiritual gatherings, in churches, and during moments of silence.  These too are core groups, even if it’s a fleeting gathering.  Many times groups like this are brought together with the intention of creating energy for a specific purpose, such as a protest or demonstration, or even a moment of silence honoring a person, moment or event. 

In instances such as these there is often the misunderstanding that numbers incite great change.

That’s not to say that the masses don’t have this ability.  However, more often it is the intent and personal power of a small group that creates greater change.  Large groups often wield incredible energy, but much like the Rarr (an elemental manifestation of boundless energy), large groups are often disorganized and all over the map in the way small focused groups are not.

Smaller core groups are devoted to a purpose, or to many aligned purposes, and therefore raise and disperse more meaningful energy than an unfocused group of many.

Scientifically I’m sure there are parallels to this - dense atoms with little space between their particles are more tangible than gaseous particles with lots of space within their walls.

Core group also has a mathematical definition, which I find similarly significant, as the creation of the earth and universe is clearly an equal combination of art/spirituality and science/mathematics. 

Mathematically, a core group is defined as a subgroup that’s invariant, or constant, despite changes in other members of a group.  These changes are referred to as conjugation, or an act of joining or union.  Conjugation is another term that has a number of meanings across a number of different fields including grammar, linguistics, and biology. 

Essentially mathematicians recognize that a core group, when combined with other elements or variables, can maintain its inherent nature while creating  something new.  As variables (or members) come in and out of the group, the new results still maintain the same essential energy or purpose. 

In other words core groups, whether in energy work or mathematics, are a source of stability that can be applied to a purpose.  They maintain an inherent structure that is as changeable as human nature, but maintains an unbroken focus or intent.

In my own life, I have experienced all of the above mentioned examples of core groups, and am practicing with participating in and forming some of my own.

My herbal apprenticeship with Robin Rose Bennett is one such group I’m learning to become a part of.  Mind Key is my greatest project yet, as it will eventually rely on the energy of a core group to keep it running at its highest purpose and vibration.

What core groups have you found yourself a part of?

Where is our power? In the end result, or the journey?

My friend, Tara Lesko, works in a Northern New Jersey school that focuses on alternative learning methods (my own words).  The followings was written in response to goal versus process oriented methods of teaching and learning.

On a personal note, I’ve found that being too focused on the end goal has the distasteful result of disappointment when in fact much has been gained.  I think about my career changes, failed businesses, and other endeavors that never came to fruition.  Even my graduate degree is considered a failure by some because I’m not currently using it to make money.  However, if I discount these life events as failures because they did not manifest as expected (which brings me to another topic - whose expectation did they fail to meet?  Mine, or someone else’s?) then I have discounted much by the way of personal growth. 

Drawing fairies, fashion photography, chapbook editor, novelist, journalist, Health Nut, even administrative assistant - these are all endeavors that did not make me much by the way of fame or fortune, but they each took me one step closer to where I am today.  Not only in my career, but in my life.  If I were to look back over my life as a whole, I have little regrets.  What I do have is a road map of events that have helped me evolve as a human being and a spirit of light and love.  This is how I must define myself, not as a summation of the goals I reached, or chose not to reach.  Because it is a choice… and choosing to forgo a goal in light of personal growth by far the more difficult path to take.

Following is Tara’s take on the topic - especially with regard to a very important demographic - children learning to find strength in their personal path and individual talents.

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by Tara Lesko

Focus on the process and not so much the result. I am sure we have all heard this advice or something similar to it. Because we are a society that is often fixated on the outcome of our goals and objectives, we often forget about the steps forward and the steps backward we needed to take to achieve the desired outcome. Individuals who have a fixed mindset often overlook the valuable lessons of the "journey" because of the intense concentration on the "destination". How can anyone with a solid, fixed mindset be able to learn and progress? A staggering number of Americans nowadays suffer with plaguing feelings of uselessness, depression, and an overall lack of true identity. Teaching our young people to have more of a growth mindset could possibly lead to a generation that is more committed to an ethic that involves continuous learning and growth.

All too often, our students become preoccupied with choosing and achieving their academic and professional goals. I often wonder if this is such a good idea anymore. How can a seventeen year old, whose mental and emotional being is still not fully developed, be able to determine what he or she wants to spend 80% of his or her adult life doing? Most college students change their majors, sometimes more than once, and many adults in every age bracket change their occupations, sometimes numerous times. This seems to happen frequently because parents and educators alike are encouraging fixed mindsets. When we do this, we are doing a disservice to our youth because they can end up seeing themselves as successful failures.

I happen to teach in an environment where it is next to impossible to encourage anything but a growth mindset. My school consists of a small population of students, from grades 7 to 12, who have various disabilities and disorders: ADD, ADHD, Anxiety & Depression, OCD, Learning Disabled, substance abuse, Bipolar Disorder, Behavior Disorders, and different levels of the Autism spectrum. In many cases, these diagnoses follow our students out of high school and for many, these special needs hinder their functioning. Even though our students are always encouraged to consider college an option after graduation, the fact remains that most of them are not college-bound, in a traditional sense.

The teachers at my school emphasize to our students that even though their academic and professional opportunities seem bleak to them, there are still numerous paths to growth and independence. No one is expected to declare a specific major by their junior or senior year, and no one is expected to pick an academic major. Our completely non-academic kids are steered into the workforce in a positive way, so they know there are many chances for some form of development. Those who are considering some schooling by way of career training are encouraged to consider trade schools such as Lincoln Tech or Eastwick College, or they are introduced to certificate programs that are often completed online. For example, my school recently held their annual Career Night for our students and their families. A very indecisive senior who is in my Core Group (a.k.a homeroom) was surprised to learn that many community colleges now offer a wide variety of Certificate of Completion programs in many trades such as Fire Code Inspection and IT work - fields that would involve a complete hands-on approach to learning. Since I teach two nights a week at Essex County College and represented them at the fair, it was rewarding to be able to help my happy and relieved student towards a path that peaked his interest.

When we encourage our students to have a fixed, set-in-stone mindset, we are setting them up for a false sense of success or straight-up failure. Seemingly, encouraging a fixed mindset only teaches kids to meet the expectations of others and make their skills look good without actually being good.

When students are faced with problems, challenges, and constructive criticism, they are led to focus on the process as opposed to the result. Many students, especially those with special needs, have a difficult time seeing the value in this kind of mindset because we are a society fixated on the end result of a process. Instead of learning from mistakes, they are viewed as accumulating failures.

It is our responsibility as educators to teach our kids that we never stop growing and evolving even into adulthood. So why lead them to feel they have to have it all together now?

Why Mind Key?

I began the Mind Key endeavor because on my path of self-discovery I lost my way.  Haven’t we all at some point?  I let bad relationships and bad situations break me down.  I let old programming rule my life when I should have broken the records long ago.  I used to hear the faeries clearly, but once I lost that connection it took time for me to hear them again.  

Only once I realized how broken I truly was could healing begin.  I went the regular MD route.  Which is a wonderful and necessary option - except when it doesn’t help.  I began seeing naturopathic doctor, Doni Wilson, and she taught me more than I could hope to understand about my body. I began taking yoga.  Then, after a few devastating physical and emotional traumas, I began cranio-sacral therapy and learned focusing.  That’s when I began to get back in touch with ME, my body, who I am and how I tick.  These huge milestones were still only small parts of my overall path of healing, discovery and growth, but what I realized was that there is no one right path for anybody.  In fact, I needed to embrace (and merge) many pathways - from art therapy to conscious eating - and am still learning more everyday.

So where does Mind Key fit into this?  We’re here to bring all these modalities of healing, and many many more to you - the adventurer, the pilgrim, the wanderer on the path of self discovery.  Mind Key isn’t about telling you “what’s right,” or what to do, it’s about providing the tools to make that determination for yourself.  

Why did I begin Mind Key?  Because I knew something was wrong when after years of seeking help for medical conditions my doctor finally sat me down with a iron clad diagnosis I just couldn’t stomach.  My gut told me “this isn’t right.”  Turns out my gut was right.  Was the doctor wrong?  Not necessarily, but doctors are experts in one field… and healing and growth occurs on many levels, in many fields.  

Back then I didn’t know where to turn, so I spent a lot of time and money traveling and listening.  I researched everything and in the end followed my gut. Healing and growth are rarely easy, and it requires a concerted effort.  Now the things I and others have found and heard and researched will be here, in one place, to make your research and your gut work a little less as you travel your own path.

Mind Key is still in the baby stages, but we’re working with more than practitioners in the health and spirituality.  We’re working with community centers and events, artists, garden centers, hiking groups - because these are ALL modalities and/or hubs of healing and growth.

So why Mind Key?

Because Mind Key has resources for anyone looking to do right by him or herself.  Anyone looking for something fun and wholesome. Anyone wanting to grow in their life, relationships and career.  Those who want to eat, live and be healthier and more sustainable.  Anyone who has something to say to others or learn for themselves.  Anyone looking to peel away the layers and discover the mystical and mysterious, or simply the truth of self.  Those who want to hear their guides, understand their body and psyche, or simply be a part of the great whole.  Anyone who wants to make change, either in himself, or throughout the world.  Those who live, and those who serve.  Those who want a better understanding of who they are, their place, and why things happen the way they do.

But most importantly, anyone who wants to do these things on their own terms and discover new ways when the old methods and old records have stopped working.

What resources and healing have you found on your path of self-discovery?