Jack's comments regarding practices are crucial and I didn't mention
them in that particular posting. I've mentioned practices in earlier
posts as being possibly the most important distinction in our common
area of concern.
I am certain that in the original efforts to accomplish the first
mission, practices were created and can explain the success in a most
satisfactory manner. It may be that the practices of keeping the
vision or overriding purpose alive were never put in place. The
practices may have only had to do with accomplishing a mission.
It is certain that the practices either were never created at the
right level or were neglected after the first mission - according to
my model of things - or the programme would still be vibrantly alive.
I think the major challenge is not the ability to do a "one off" - no
matter how remarkable - but to keep the original iniative alive and
growing. (One of the sources of failure is that we often satisfied
to merely maintain it and thus lose the whole aliveness of the
original.)
Practices to maintain practices may be part of the answer. "Sacred
practices" may be another approach. Even simple appreciation of the
more profound basis for everyday action - or more respect for
everyday action over grand vision (or _grand_ anything) may also do.
Anyway, thanks for picking up on practices.
Michael McMaster
Michael@kbddean.demon.co.uk