INTRODUCTION:
(Please note: the following material represents only the briefest outline of what will follow as a more extensive summary that in turn will be followed by a book which is now in preparation. However, we wanted to respond to the many inquiries we have received from all over the world, at least in this preliminary format )

It is an obvious and painful fact that there is a breakdown in human communication at many levels from the interpersonal sphere to the international arena. Problems of the magnitude we now face need not only new solutions but also, as a prerequisite, a new relationship among human beings from which to approach these issues. There is, therefore, a growing worldwide interest in Collective Consciousness, a unified group intelligence and creativity that is far beyond the input of the sum of the individuals. We believe, as do others, that this new form of conscious human association may be the essential key to our survival as a species.

For more than thirteen years, Vistar Foundation has been dedicated to exploring, witnessing and sharing our experience with the power and potential of the Field of Collective Consciousness and the Vistar Method of Communication® (VMC). The VMC is a body of knowledge, a structure and a set of rules to access the Field of Collective Consciousness and has been applied in every aspect of the Journey of Vistar. Below, read about the VMC's Prerequisites , Four Rules , Three Roles , The Setting, Structure, and VMC Benefits. Also, watch the video about the VMC,with Rolland Smith and Ron and Victoria.

The most important determinants of the outcome of a meeting exist in the invisible realm of motivation, conscious intention and vision. These factors are not vague and ephemeral but are a force field which each individual brings to a meeting. When these gathered resources of human Beings are aligned and focused, unlimited new possibilities are revealed. The following statements need to be considered and cannot be left in “ the grey zone ” with the assumption that there is agreement.

1. Alignment concerning the purpose of the meeting and its vision.

• Why are we here?
• What is the larger significance of this issue beyond our own personal sphere?
• What are the consequences of this issue for ourselves and others?

2. Willingness to take on the VMC structure and follow its rules.

• A desire for truth, an open mind and the ability to listen are essential keys.
• The willingness to go beyond fixed beliefs and attitudes?
  

The following rules seem simple, however, we would like to emphasize that there are many levels of their understanding and application. The use of the rules at once reveals many of the factors that promote or obstruct the forward movement of a meeting and true communication. The four rules are the heart of the VMC and direct the movement of energy in all meetings. They have one central purpose: to create a de-personalized atmosphere wherein habitual attitudes, opinions and beliefs are left behind and the field of collective consciousness is experienced and manifested.

1. Raise your hand to contribute
Participants raise their hands in order to contribute and wait to speak until called upon by the leader. Contributions are essential to the VMC and represent an input of the individual energy and presence that will sustain and accelerate the upward evolutionary movement (the Vistar) of the meeting. Flow, the unobstructed movement and exchange of energy, is a feature of all creation and applies to the VMC. Contributing is a way for the participant to respond, that is, receive and give forth to the whole.

2. Contribute directly to the Leader on Thread
The topic of a Vistar Meeting is called a Thread. This originated from the concept that the whole tapestry is Self-Realization, and that a thread from that whole would be taken, highlighted and followed. Attention consciously focused opens a doorway into new dimensions of being and perceiving. Everyday experience reveals that most conversations have a centrifugal force with a strong tendency to diverge from the topic. Staying on the thread and focusing input to the leader, who represents the organizing principle, is a quantum leap into new possibilities.

Vertical organization allows horizontal functioning. The leader, support and participant roles follow this structural model. They represent what in metaphysical terms is called ‘Scale.’ In the VMC, the roles of Leader, Support and Participant are defined not only with respect to maintaining the Thread of the Meeting, but also with respect to the evolution of the Meeting relative to the emergence of a Collective Consciousness, to the ongoing process of the meeting itself. This is a radical shift in priorities and has many consequences. The roles and responsibilities of Leader, Support and Participant become transformed as the meeting is transformed. Both the traditional and evolving aspects of these roles will be considered in detail in the upcoming more Extensive Summary.

Leader
The VMC is not based on a teacher/authority paradigm, but it holds strongly to the Principle of hierarachy. The Leader, along with the Support, prepares the Meeting Thread. The Leader gives the Meeting, calling by name on participants who raise their hands to contribute. A new level of sensitivity to the evolving group process is necessary.The overall atmosphere of a meeting, the circulation of energy, the quality of a contribution are all variables in the movement towards a Collective Consciousness and require awareness and responsiveness from the Leader. The leader in the

Support
Humanity as ruled by the ego has created a world focused on the leader position. In the VMC, the Support Role is highlighted and brought out in its full stature. In the Vistar setting, there is a Leader, a Support and Participants. The three create the Meeting. When all the parts are "fitly joined together" (Kenneth G. Mills), the result is Reality. The Support position can be considered the female principle, whether it appears as a man or a woman.The female principle exemplifies unconditional love, empathy and protectiveness. The Support position is attentiveness, intuiting the needs of another, protecting, respecting, and in essence is an opening into the devotional aspect of service. Authentic Leadership and Support are ONE. In VMC Training Workshops, the core of support. present in each one of us, is revealed. The way to that realization includes the ability to observe the programmed ego personality in its behavior, attitude and beliefs.

Participant
It is the responsibility and essential requirement for the Participant to adhere to the rules. There are levels upon levels as to how the Participant role is carried out. Participation and contribution involve a commitment to focus attention and intention to the atmosphere of a meeting and its purpose. An integration of an individual’s vision and function with a larger whole becomes essential and, when this happens, the movement towards the dimension of Collective Consciousness is accelerated. The creative expression of the one and the many come together in a fulfilling and direct experience.

The structure of the VMC meeting is designed to enhance contact between all participants and to allow a free flow of energy. The term "Vistar" has been with us from the beginning and refers to an upward spiraling and accelerating movement of group energy. All meetings take place with participants seated in a circle in visual contact with each other and with any charts with diagrams that are used.

VMC meetings have always endeavored to create an atmosphere of beauty and elegance. This is done not only to reflect our respect for each other, but also for the significance of a meeting and the magnificence of an unknown Reality which manifests Itself as the Field of Collective Consciousness. Lovely objects, flowers, candles and appropriate dress all help to set the atmosphere, and this preparation for us is a prerequisite.

THREE PART STRUCTURE

Every Meeting is a form of art, a drama or a musical composition with a Thread development and recapitulation and evolution of the original theme. The meeting unfolds in three parts:

1. Enunciation or Knowledge: The Thread being considered with its higher significance
2. Development or Level of Being: The exploration and practical application of the Thread
3. Recapitulation or Vision : New Perspectives and follow up action.

• Bringing structure and order to any meeting.
• Creating a setting for more effective communication and creativity.
• Experiencing the group as a new working unity and the individual participant as an integral, fulfilled part of that organization.
• Setting the stage for the direct experience of Collective Consciousness, a wondrous and yet ultimately practical relation to an invisible reality.
• A new sense of responsibility and valuation in each participant for the evolution of the process of the meeting itself.

We at Vistar are convinced that any gathering of properly motivated individuals in any setting can utilize the VMC and immediately experience its benefits. In addition, if certain basic prerequisites are met, then there can be a discontinuous leap into a realm of unified group consciousness, intelligence and creativity from which any issue can be approached with altogether new possibilities. Among those who would benefit from VMC training are:

• Leaders and facilitators frequently involved in meetings
• Individuals interested in forming a group
• Those involved with group creativity in the realm of the Arts
• Individuals involved with meetings in diverse settings with varying numbers of participants, be it a small committee, large organization, spiritually oriented group, corporate/business setting, athletic team, etc.
  

VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH ROLLAND G. SMITH on VMC