One of my earliest childhood memories was sitting at the top of the stairs listening to my father yell at my mother and hearing her scream as he hit her. I felt helpless and scared and I promised myself I would never do this to my children. I took in a message that men with power will hurt people. I feared my own power. I didn’t want to hurt others. I gave my power away whenever I could. I feared leadership, but time and again I found myself in situations that demanded leadership. Sometimes I would step into leadership, but I was soft. I was constantly seeking approval from those I was leading. A little over a year ago, that changed dramatically. In the summer of 2012 I volunteered to lead the MKP Northwest summer elder gathering. Traditionally this gathering has been for elder MKP men. I took a leap and invited all MKP men and… women. The event drew well over 100 participants and about 15 women. It was a huge success. And it transformed me and a strong leader comfortable with my power began to emerge. On Sunday morning as we were wrapping up, the community honored me for leading that weekend. With the entire gathering around me, I took another leap and declared myself to be a “Community Elder”. I acknowledged that this position did not exist within MKP, and committed to defining and creating it. In the eight months since then, the concept of Community Elder has begun to take shape. Men are asking questions and coming up with ideas. At this coming summer gathering, we will continue this process and identify men who consider themselves to be Community Elders. As this happened, I found myself being included more by the leaders of our center. I was invited to step onto the emerging Area Council. I stepped forward to take on the challenge of communications within the center. And I decided to step back on to the NWTA Leader Track. I have been on Leader Track twice before and busted myself off both times. The first time, because I wanted to be seen. Wrong reason to be a leader. The second time I was told I was too old. I gave away my power and caved. Returning to the group of “Leaders in Training” or LITs is not as simple as saying, “I want in.” I had to get a blessing from my local community and survive a “hot seat” by the leader body. I asked my community to give me a hot seat instead of a blessing, hoping that the practice would help. It did. They roasted my ass with tough, deep questions for over two hours. And then they blessed me to step forward. A week ago, just before we began another NWTA, I sat for my leader body hot seat. I knew they wanted to have me back, but that didn’t translate to easy questions. They did, however say welcome back. Then the weekend began, and it was wonderful.
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Testimonials
Fabulous Workshop
What a Fabulous workshop, the facilitators, the content, the concept of the participant interactions in dyad and in group exercises lead to an awesome group connection right from the start! As a facilitator myself I recognized the talent that each facilitator brought to this workshop! The ability of each facilitator to hold the participants at a grounded level during each and every level of the weekend was truly inspiring! I would do this workshop again and again! So much gratitude ~ Brock F
Life changing workshop
“A life changing workshop that provided me with a sense of hope and movement away from feelings of hopelessness and stagnation. It provided excellent information and facilitation in a safe and supportive environment. The exercises were challenging but helped me to identify the blocks in my behaviors that have held me back from continuation of personal growth, development, health and ultimately a sense of joy and happiness. I feel better prepared, informed to continue movement in personal growth, integration and development. Working towards a sense of joy.” – Judith S
This course is clearly important and needed
“Glad to have participated in a workshop that has even more relevance in this world of separation through many experiential exercises through connections (with self and others.) This is a course that is clearly important and needed in today’s disconnected world, bringing the heart of the matter into awareness.” – Musa K
Workshop provided a place of safety
“This workshop provided a place of safety and offered useful tools to enable me to continue my journey to living my life in the moment, in awareness, being equanimeous and being of service to others.” – Daphne S
I learned New Ways to Listen
“I attended the ConneXions Intensive with my husband and went away with a better understanding of him and of myself. I learned new ways to listen and speak, great reasons for making growth in this area important in my life, and hope that with the workshop’s materials to take home, my learning will continue.” – Jo Ann H
Very powerful
“Very powerful overall. I experienced growth on a personal level and that is why I attended.” Kim F
Most Helpful
“I am on a journey. This weekend has been most helpful in helping me grow and become more positive in my life.” – Richard S
Highly Recommended!
“The ConneXions workshop offered a wonderful and insightful deep dive into human relationships – what it means to connect and what keeps us from connecting more fully. I left the workshop clearer on what I want from life and how I can go about getting it. I also formed the beginnings of several meaningful relationships with the other participants. Highly recommended!” – Peter S
I experienced a container that created safety
“I experienced a container that created safety for the participants and me to be open and authentic. I didn’t learn a great deal of new ideas here, the surprise was how they were welded together to form a road map to a better destination.” – Robert W
In all honesty…
“In all honesty, I was not looking forward to coming to the ConneXions weekend but I knew it was important to my husband, Dave. It was our 23rd Anniversary so I put my excuses aside and made the decision to go. I am so glad I did. I felt closer to Dave than I had in over twenty years. This workshop was incredibly powerful for me and it greatly increased the connection I have with my husband.” – Jen G
Master of Understanding
Bob Jones is a master of understanding the dynamics of relationships and of our own self-awareness and responses. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Bob facilitate many processes during which someone had a significant “a-ha” moment and they claimed back a huge chunk of their power, choice, and joy. Bob is very well read and experienced and this shows up in his ability to draw upon many modalities and tools when helping someone rediscover their own truth. But most importantly, Bob brings a huge depth of caring and sweet fierce curiosity that results in one feeling totally heard, valued, and… Read more “Master of Understanding”
Empowering Heart-Opening Experience
“Both and intelligent overview of the elements of human interaction and how to use them to deeper intimacy and an empowering heart opening experience.” – Travis C
I was in a safe space
“I felt I was in a safe space that allowed me to explore my inner child in a beautiful way.” – Alex T
I Appreciate the vision and intention
“I very much appreciate the vision, intention, of this workshop and passion and commitment of the instructors.” – Sanae O
Workshop was deep, rich and stimulating
“The content of the workshop was deep, rich and stimulating. The manual is superb and greatly appreciated. Facilitation was authentic, transparent, passionate and sincere. I appreciated Bob’s humility, Ipswa’s fluidity and assertiveness and Howard’s openness. Clearly all 3 of you bring huge heart to this mission of connection and awakening.” – Sharon A
Deep Dive
I was amazed by the deep dive into all of the material presented, including the additional resources offered with the connexions.world Website, and I look forward to participating in the ongoing community of ConneXions attendees!” – Dan G
Overall a positive experience
“Bob has an amazing ability to hear what people’s input is, and openly accept even criticisms without reacting (i.e. voice tone, impatience, arguing, ego battling, etc.) The total lack of criticism of anything that was voiced (I think) created a space for total trust. Participants who brought up trust issues the first evening of the workshop quickly flipped to opening up in a trusting way, risking the vulnerability to make changes quickly. Overall a positive experience. I look forward to seeing where it grows to under Bob’s direction.” – Laura G
Well done Connexions!
“I have attended numerous relationship programs over the last 25 years. This one stands out. I am refreshed with appreciation and awe for the many miracles of healing that I experienced in this program. Well done Connexions!” – Howard S
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