Matrixworks is an innovative, somatic and mindfullness based
approach to helping groups/teams learn to function as "Living Systems",
i.e., like a Larger Body so that they gain access to their adaptive capacity
for collaboration, creativity and collective intelligence. Said another way,
Matrixworks explores how we can 'grow' and cultivate groups that become the
womb that grows the new individual who cares for the Whole. In this process,
individual members of the group become more, not less of who they authentically
are as they move honestly into a real relationship with themselves and each
other. Drawing from Buddhist Principles of Interconnectedness and Relationship,
Matrixworks speaks to our deepest longing for mutual connection and ,for access
in our everyday, lives to the Immeasureable qualities or Love, Joy, Compassion
and Deep Peace.
In addition, Matrixworks is based solidly on cutting edge Neuroscience
with its understanding of our brain as a social organ and the knowledge that
human beings are designed for, i.e., hard-wired for connection.
Perhaps most important of all: Matrixworks is a practice field wherein we can heal wounds to our Beingness, Belonging and Relatedness. From this place of healing, our lives become a gift that we naturally want to offer to our community: then, individuals and community find fulfillment with each other as an expression of the true value of being human in relationship.
- Mukara Meredith, MSW 1/12/08
Inclusion transforms group process from individuals in a group setting to the creation of a living system.
In a living system, the needs and gifts of all group members are included to create a whole that is larger than the sum of its parts.
Without attention to the inclusion phase of a group’s life, a group remains a collection of individuals, often relying on a charismatic leader to be the focal point of the group.
Through this first weekend of inclusion, the web of the Matrix is woven, creating safety. Within this environment, participants are encouraged to bring forth their questions, knowledge, and skills. A web of relationships is created that allows for new experiences to happen.
During the first weekend, the dynamics of "Am I in or am I out?" are explored while Mukara and the co-facilitator lay the foundation of the MATRIXWORKS™ concepts.
This includes:
1. The Three Levels of the Matrix (Intrapersonal, Interpersonal,
and Field).
2. The Three Conditions for Health (Nourish the members,
Accomplish the task and Attend to relationships).
3. Current Theory that has significantly influenced the emergence
of this living work (Porges’ Social Nervous System, Quantum
Physics, Chaos Theory, Biodynamic Craniosacral Theory and
more).
4. Most importantly, the teaching staff models feedback,
which is the food for living systems. By assimilating feedback
into the Matrix, participants are able to distinguish the
difference between Intention and Impact (a person may be well-
intended in their actions, but the impact may be negative to
others).
Chaos and Conflict profoundly affect the quality of our lives. This weekend is designed to reframe conflict as the doorway to greater creativity. In this process we uncouple trauma from conflict and explore the dynamic of power – "Am I up or am I down?" - in a skillful way. Throughout this weekend participants experience the following three benefits of working skillfully with Conflict/Chaos:
1. Energy is liberated – hidden potential comes to the surface as a
resource for all.
2. The capacity to work with power differentials occurs – group
members develop the resilience to self-correct and give
themselves permission to make mistakes.
3. Relationships deepen into true mutuality – when members feel
connected with each other, differences can be perceived as gifts
and the living system is strengthened.
By working with conflict, the group gains access to the Four F’s – Freedom, Flexibility, Fearlessness, and Formlessness.
During this weekend, participants explore conflict archetypes, and have the opportunity to define their own personal style of dealing with conflict.
Synergy happens in a group’s life when enough personal safety and interpersonal threads of connection have been established. When this occurs, conflict and differences can be welcomed instead of banished. Through experiencing Synergy, the Four Immeasurables: Equanimity, Lovingkindness, Compassion, and Joy, come to life within the group.
Throughout the weekend the question, "Am I near or am I far?" is explored. Participants revisit Inclusion and Chaos/Conflict to weave more threads of somatic and emotional empathy for others. This furthers the participants’ understanding of their impact upon individuals and on the group-as-whole. As the interconnectedness of the group deepens, the group experiences itself as a living system.
The final weekend of Integration and Completion reveals technically how to create Inclusion, step into Chaos/Conflict, and cultivate a Synergetic connection. Mukara and the co-facilitator become transparent in their teaching, revealing the techniques, timing, and skillful use of interventions. The most basic interventions of tracking and making contact - brief statements from the facilitator that are compassionate and true (adopted from Hakomi) - are taught. Since the previous three weekends have been taught experientially, participants have already felt the impact of contact as a tool to move the individual and group toward the realization of their inherent potential.
During this weekend, participants are challenged to take more leadership within the group as well as to share leadership by practicing co-facilitation of their group in a classroom setting. Mukara and the co-facilitator coach the participant leaders throughout this process.
Finally, Mukara and the co-facilitator model concluding a group (one of a group’s most important and most overlooked tasks). Through projects designed to bring awareness to an individual’s style of closing, participants embody what it is like to consciously complete in order to consciously begin a new task. Participants are given several opportunities to close with the staff, with other individual participants and with the group-as-whole.
This is an opportunity for participants who have completed the training to spend extended periods of time practicing, co-facilitation, designing, and working with collective intelligence and collective reasoning. This weekend is optional.
The other way to learn Matrixworks is in a residential retreat that lasts 8 days. The power of living in community and learning the model in a 'working live' way is very transformational. The experience is a true living laboratory that encourages us to let go off outdated patterns and self-defeating relational habits so that we can be ourselves and be in connection in an empowered way.
Currently, Immersions happen yearly in Brazil, Crestone, Co; Mexico City, and Hawaii.
MATRIXWORKS™ continues to be used to bring health to staff, faculty and board with the Rolf Institute in USA and Brazil.
MATRIXWORKS™ is being used in 2 Boulder Valley Schools.
MATRIXWORKS™ has a supportive and on-going relationship with KGNU
MATRIXWORKS™ is taught as an Academic class at Naropa University
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