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2020: Strangeness in the familiar…

Presence in Action carries me home to myself. It helps me find coherence in the grounded reality of my existence in each moment. Read more about this, our upcoming events, and some poems and musings from our most recent POPIA (Power of Presence in Action) graduates. [download pdf]

2019: PIA Collective becoming itself 

The emergence of PIA Collective was sourced through individuals and then groups engaging with me in the simple, recursive acuity practice held within the framework of the P6 Constellation. This framework was invoked into being by the invitation of a small group of supervisees who wanted more from me. In this account, I show through the lens of natural inclusion, how usual notions of power, analytical and deterministic change models, leadership etc. are challenged [download pdf]

2019: Regenerating Nature’s inclusional dance – a conference contribution, 26 October 2019

While the earth keeps spinning, we as human beings find ourselves flailing and roiling in self-made messes that threaten not only our own extinction but the potential destruction of a planet that sustains all of life. We have separated ourselves from it; and elevated our species to a god-like status under the mistaken illusion that we are grand masters who control the world. How can this be possible when most of us can barely control what happens in our own lives and relationships?

Earth responds in her own way to the ravages we inflict upon her. But what can we do to revert the degenerative cycling we have catalysed into one that can once again become regenerative for her and for each and all of us? [download pdf]

2018: In the Presence of Innocence

I shall never forget the day Innocence returned to my life. Her (re‐)birthing came on Friday, 23rd March 2018 in the hamlet of Caux, Switzerland. She-with-the Red-Nose-who-had-no-name came in service to a small group of people gathered to prepare and plan for the Caux Forum, due to take place in The Caux Palace, 28 June – 5 August 2018. The Caux Forum – sourced largely by volunteers – consists of a series of themed, conference gatherings  destined to bring people from across the globe to grapple with and respond to some of the most troubling challenges and issues of our time. What part did Innocence play in its preparations? [download pdf]

2018: Review: The Origin of Life Patterns—in the Natural Inclusion of Space in Flux

This review stands as a metalogue (Bateson 1972:12) of Alan Rayner’s principle of Natural Inclusion. As such, it not only offers a reflective commentary of the book but includes a reflexive account of what has been evoked and invoked in me, on my reading of it whilst undertaking my own doctoral studies. [download pdf]

2018: The power of presence in relationships – An article by Tracey Emerson

In June of this year, Tracey Emerson took part in a workshop, The Power of Presence in Relationships, at the Children in Scotland headquarters. This was delivered by Louie Gardiner and Karen Beveridge. In the article below, Tracey outlines how gaining a better understanding of the P6 Constellation, a practical approach that encourages and enables the self-management of stress and encourages practitioners to reflect on their emotions, has proved invaluable to her professional development. [download from Children in Scotland]

2018: Portals to the Collective Mind

This paper sets the scene for a workshop that I and the three Pioneer Practitioners of the P6 Constellation delivered at the EMCC 2018 conference in Amsterdam. In it I explore what we mean by evidence-based practice and research-based evidence… [download pdf]

2017: Portals, Patterns and Paradigm shifts

Louie hosted a masterclass at the international EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) conference in Edinburgh 2017. some 40+ participants came to gain a taste of the dance that is Presence in Action. This paper offers some underpinning principles to the experiential workshop facilitated on the day. [download  pdf]

2016: Safeguarding my own Trustworthiness
This article is a personal illumination and a mutual exploration involving Louie and the reader.  She offers new and different ways of seeing and understanding ‘trust-making’ and ‘trustworthiness’ which are founded in her experiences of facilitating and engaging in group learning.  [download pdf]

2015: Completion of REAL
This article by Francis Evans, MB of IofC-UK, and short video offer a snapshot of a learning journey that began in 2010 for 12 REAL participants from Initiatives of Change in the UK.  Louie accompanied each person over a 12-month period supporting them to re-connect, heal and regenerate their relationships with themselves, others and with IofC. [download pdf]

2014-10: Changing the Game of Change-making
The P6 Constellation is a methodology that sets conditions for transformational change in human systems – individuals, groups, organisations. This article describes the P6 Constellation and how it came into being. [download pdf]

2014-09: The Sweet Bitter of No
Louie reflects on the outcome of the Scottish Referendum on 18 Sept 2014 and poses some provocative questions about ‘now what?’  [download pdf]

2014-06: IofC – long-term change-making across time and place (Chapter updated post-REAL, 2015)
This chapter by Louie in The Collaboratory (Katrin Muff, 2014) , explores the systemic conditions that appear to have supported the emergent evolution of Initiatives of Change (IofC), a global fellowship that has endured over some eighty years. Each year members converge in Caux, high above Montreux in Switzerland to catalyse dialogue and inspire action to address issues affecting people in communities across the world. The chapter offers insights into how IofC creates and holds a community space; and integrates the spirit and practice of “quiet time” into a community-building process enabling transformation at personal, group and systemic levels. download pdf]

2014-05: Scottish Referendum – complexity perspectives
Louie writes: “In agreeing to write this article, I am psychologically and soulfully stepping into the conversation on the Scottish Referendum. Practically I am already in. I live in Scotland by choice. It is my home…” [download pdf]

2014-04: IofC Seed Behaviours
These Seed Behaviours express what people in IofC do when we are at our best. The behaviours are aspirational and inspirational – and as such, are challenging. The following descriptions are written in first person as it is for each of us to take these on as our own.  This document was honed and agreed by those participating in the first REAL programme in IofC-UK. [download pdf]

2013: Adaptive Capacity
In this article first published in Coaching Today April 2013 Diane Parker comments: “This theme of adapting in relationship with other is further echoed in Louie Gardiner’s fascinating piece on human systems dynamics, as she uses her own experience of writing her article to demonstrate complex adaptive systems in action.” [download pdf]

Archive: for older articles and resources please go to our Archives page >>>

Potent Alchemy newsletters & papers from past projects

2018-12-17 Potent Alchemy What does love look like

2018-10-09 Potent Alchemy – Past, current and coming

2018-03-29 In the Presence of Innocence

Potent Alchemy 2017-11-15 The Game of Life

2015-03-01 Potent Alchemy – Knowing comes before knowing we know

2014-03-01 Potent Alchemy – Knowing No-thing

2014-01-08 Potent Alchemy – Stillness in motion

Check out Partners & Projects where you can find downloadable pdfs to give you a flavour of some of the work we have undertaken.

Prezis, presentations, poems & more

Here you will find material that moves beyond the formal written word. Using graphics, multi-media formats and unconventional means, we hope to offer you new ways of accessing and understanding what we offer.

2018: I want you to know…

A poem by Louie on the nature of Love and its place in the workplace and in our Presence in Action Community-in-Practice. Do feel free to share this… and if appropriate, do let us know where it goes. [download here]

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