In every phase of our life, at any age, in any endeavor, one of the most compelling urges and comforting feelings we can have as humans is the knowing that we belong; that we are accepted for who we are and what we can become; respected; safe; loved. We all want to belong.
Real belonging transcends the physical; it’s more than being physically close and familiar, even with our family. Belonging is a depth of connection that transforms us as we feel and know we are upheld and supported by something greater, the same intelligence and energy that powers the universe.
The strength of shared belonging with our family, friends and community can dissolve barriers built over a lifetime that prevent the emergence of our authentic selves in an ecology of mutual trust, acceptance without judgment, compassion, and care. A space that enables the natural healing power of love.
What is true belonging? In this special conversation, Aviv Shahar connects with a group of Portals friends — coaches, therapists, consultants, facilitators — who helped co-create Constructing Consciousness, a recent Sedona, Arizona event that attracted global participants.
The event profoundly affected the participants; it became a living embodiment of the power, beauty, and healing at the heart of belonging. Among the friends’ perceptions and feelings:
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We intentionally created a space that would be open and unstructured to be filled not by planned programs, but by the wisdom and beauty emerging through the participants.
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We can feel belonging in a group or family or tribe, but also in nature — that much larger sense of belonging heals in us that which feels not seen, or alone.
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We as human beings do belong — to ourselves as integrated beings; to each other in shared potential; and to something higher in a larger purpose and reason.
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We call it radical self-responsibility: balancing the polarity of keeping an open space, being flexible, and also being committed to showing up.
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We can't have emergence unless we have those opportunities to be malleable, to allow the disharmony; it’s reframed and comes back together in a higher order.
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The bounty of the event arises out of the natural orientation towards emergence and a sense of things occurring beyond our making and being held by something larger.
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There's a kind of wholeness in which we can somehow understand. Everybody can do it; at whatever developmental level they're seeing the world through.
This conversation is part of the continuing Portals discovery into what is emerging on the frontiers of human experience in this time of profound change. Information about upcoming special events can be found on the Events page. Also visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
When we move into a group space, and have potentially all these shadows around, you know: Who likes me? What do they think of me? Who's judging me? Should I really be open and vulnerable? As those fall away, there is this pristine, beautiful clean space of, ‘Oh, wow; maybe I can; maybe I can touch into parts of myself that I'm afraid to even alone; that these people will hold me and care for me’. That’s what happened for me; I was held by this greater collective.
Tucker Walsh
Tucker is a lighthouse for Spirit and travel guide for Soul helping to navigate the miracle of Life through storytelling, ceremony and celebration. He is co-creating transformational communities around the globe while facilitating ancient and emerging ways of Being, Doing and Becoming. In his former life, he was an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker.
Visit: Tucker Walsh
Jill Thomas
Jill Thomas provides coaching for those committed to deep inner personal work that will impact their relationships, work, and personal life. Rather than focusing on simply changing your actions and behaviors, Jill works with you to create lasting shifts in your being and healing. Together, you will strip away the masks to uncover your true essence, define who you are now, who you have always been and embody your Naked Wisdom.
Jill specializes in human development and is a STAGES of development coach. She is also trained through the Newfield Network and through Kim Barta in doing deep shadow work. She also brings her training in meditation, Integral Polarity Practice, Ashtanga Yoga, and psychedelic breathwork into sessions and healing pathways.
As a woman and mother who has been on her own journey of trauma and healing, Jill encourages you to grow from a place of deep listening and an environment of trust.
Visit: Jill Thomas
Geoff Fitch
Geoff Fitch is a coach, trainer, and facilitator of development in individuals and collectives, and a creator of transformative learning programs. He is a co-founder of Pacific Integral and developer of the Generating Transformative Change program, which has been delivered on three continents.
He has been exploring, researching and developing diverse approaches to cultivating higher human potentials for over 25 years, including somatic and transpersonal psychology, innovation and creativity, consciousness and emergence, leadership, human development, social change, and collective intelligence. Geoff holds degrees in Transpersonal Psychology and Computer Science and also studied jazz music, philosophy, and business.
Visit: Geoff Fitch
Holly Woods
Holly Woods, PhD, Founder of Emergence Institute, author, coach and consultant, is a visionary who sees deeply into peoples’ souls. She activates and catalyzes what wants to come alive in people and guides them to manifest their visions through products, business and career transitions. She is the author of the bestseller The Golden Thread: Where to Find Purpose in the Stages of Your Life.
Visit: Emergence Institute
Nicky Phear
My lifelong passion has been working with nature to create generative spaces for transformative learning. I value helping young people find their gifts and agency in response to global environmental challenges. I’ve led wilderness expeditions, cross-cultural exchanges by bike, community climate dialogues, and a women’s leadership initiative. I’m drawn to the concept of rewilding, not only as an approach to regenerate nature, but to release more aliveness into our human lives.
Fionn Wright
Fionn travels the world with his family, worldschooling his kids, coaching leaders to unify through diversity, and supporting the evolution of our planetary consciousness through his TV appearances, vlogging, writing, consulting, facilitating, podcasting and live-streaming.
Visit: Fionn Wright
Alexander Love
Twenty years ago, my father was murdered. This thrust me into a journey of exploring the heart of human suffering and how it is that you and I heal. I wondered, does pain have a purpose? And if so, what is it?
Over the last two decades, I have held this question while working with individuals and groups as a developmental coach, shadow resolution practitioner and acupuncturist. I have found time and time again that pain does indeed have a purpose. It is the brilliant treasure which allows fragmentation to discover its wholeness. Through embracing pain, human beings step through a doorway into deep fulfillment, purpose and meaning.
Visit: eōs learning collective
Aviv Shahar
Aviv is the Founder of Aviv Consulting, helping leaders unleash strategic innovation, and is the author of Create New Futures: How Leaders Produce Breakthroughs and Transform the World Through Conversation.
Visit: Aviv Consulting
