ClownZen / Community Clown

Training

About this workshop:. I have been working with the Sacred Fire Community for a number of years to bring humor into their circles. We have decided to open up this workshop to the public...

 

 

 

 

When:January Jan 6-7, 2012 (arrive night before)

Where: Brookfied, MA USA

Cost: $262

 

How Can Humor release the stress in gatherings of intentional and spiritual communities?

Embody your sense of humor, develop your clowning capacities and conspire with others in a reverently humorous way to engage a spirit of lightness in community. Shining light in the dark places. This is the role that sacred clowns play in community. Sacredness in this context is about being JUST human.

 

The workshop will be based Humor Your Human and ClownZen workshops.

To register please contact Tim at timgwen@charter.net

Here's the workshop invitation from the Sacred Fire Community.

When: Friday January 6th through to the afternoon of Sunday January 8th. You would need to arrive by dinner time Thursday evening (unless you live locally). Class will finish Saturday late afternoon.

Where: Brookfield, Massachusetts, at the home of Tim and Gwen Broz.

Background to the Training: It was many years ago that Grandfather suggested that communities develop a squad of sacred clowns, who would work in a very specialized way to bring a lightness and humor to the proceedings, and to help people laugh at certain situations that tend to get stuck and heavy. There is great value and importance in the Fire Keeper also attending the training (at least the first one, and more if they can), so that they have a good perspective of how the clowns can work, of what is appropriate and what is not, as well as developing levity in their own role.

Moshe has a good understanding of our needs, and the training will help to:

• bring up and find that sense of humor in each person and to develop how they express it.
• to develop the outward appearance defined by somebody’s personal way of expression.
• to help clowns to go deeper: the ability to play humor for the audience. This includes bringing lightness and levity to the group that is done in an uplifting way, with an awareness of the spirit of the whole group.He says that when clowning is done well (and this is the role of the sacred clown) it will allow for clown interventions when needed, but it is not just about fixing something, but it is done in the context of keeping the energy of the group whole and positive and light.
• To develop methods of communication, cooperation and conspiracy towards levity between community fire Firekeepers and community fire clowns.

Moshe says that “The role of Clown will be one of great sensitivity to the community, looking to encourage levity and celebration at appropriate moments, disrupt when community equilibrium is off, melt into the whole when all is well.”

Accommodation: Tim and Gwen are offering a dormitory style room for people to camp in. There is also the possibility of people staying with other local community members. And for those who would prefer, there are always local motels! To Register: Please let Tim Simon know of your interest asap. by emailing him at Then send a deposit of $50 to hold your place, to: Tim Simon, 144 Rice Corner Road, Brookfield, MA, 01506

What people had to say about the last training:

I would have to say that I felt a "coming home" of sorts. I've always found humour in most things throughout my life, but recent years seeked to make the humourless aspects of life more prevalent in mine. The Sacred Fool workshop was exactly what I needed to re-connect with my core humour once again. From the delightful instructions from Moshe, thoughtful conversations with fellow Sacred Fools, the opportunity to visit with the River Beings of Sherry's land, and just overall safety to be present, I feel confident in being able to speak to the humour that is in every-one. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this workshop.
Drea, Greensboro, North Carolina

Learning to identify the seat of levity - that certain quality of lightness and opening to what is - within my core, will surely prove another very useful tool for helping my community members to "dance with their emotions". As with the Process Institute training, I left the Sacred Clowning class carrying an exciting seed of possibility for my work as a firekeeper. I certainly recommend this experience to firekeepers, as much as to those community members who will serve as Sacred Clowns. Moshe brings his "Zen irreverence" as well as his passion, humility and expertise to his teaching. I look forward to watching his gifts take root and blossom within the larger SFC.
Christine Staub, Greensboro, North Carolina

"It's all about joy! We were rarely sitting still, often moving and making sounds from deep down and discovering that sacred clowning is about being authentic and not pretending. After a morning of discovering I had a real block towards getting in touch with that authentic humor in me. I decided to clown that block and almost immediately that block moved. Bringing joy/humor in me to whatever I'm faced with is my new practice. There are more opportunities to bring in clowning in our fire circles than we realized before clown training such as using clowning as a way to teach about offerings. Then, of course, bringing it into our relationships with our families, our friends and our work will give us plenty of practice and help to lighten our world."
Claire Franck, Boiceville, New York.