The group as a conduit for sacred intelligence
In a letter to the president of the Fetzer Institute, Jacob Needleman wrote:
“[I believe] that the group is the art form of the future. In our present culture, the main need is for a form that can enable human beings to share their perceptions and through that sharing, to become a conduit for the appearance of spiritual intelligence.”
I’ve always been fascinated by the deeper intelligence that emerges within a group space. In my book, Getting Messy: A Guide to Taking Risks and Opening the Imagination for Teachers, Trainers, Coaches, and Mentors, I explore the magic that happens when groups come together with intention.
As Needleman suggests, groups can be a sacred form—a conduit for spiritual wisdom and deeper connection. When participants intentionally share their perceptions, they create the potential for something greater than themselves to emerge.
But this raises questions worth wrestling with:
- How can the wisdom that surfaces in a group setting serve the collective good?
- How can group intelligence contribute to meaningful social change?
- What larger, transformative possibilities can happen when a group comes together with shared purpose?
- What processes and structures are necessary to guide groups into sacred and intentional spaces?
When groups are designed with care, they can unlock profound insights and serve as catalysts for change. The power of collective intelligence holds the potential to inspire, connect, and transform, fostering both individual growth and collective action.
Discover the principles behind creating meaningful group dynamics in my book, Getting Messy, available now.
