Core Groups

A term that’s been floating through my mind lately is “core.”

Whether an apple core, the body’s core, or the core of the earth, “core” is defined as “the central, innermost, or most essential part of anything.”

There’s also “corps,” or “a group of persons associated or acting together: the diplomatic corps; the press corps.”

Although pronounced the same way, the two terms are rarely connected.  However, they are undoubtedly part of each other.  For example, the etymology of both words seem to indicate that they derived from the Latin word for body, “corpus.”  From there both terms made their way into Old French and Middle English before they arrived at their current definitions.

I find this interesting and significant because a core of people can create the backbone or “central, innermost, most essential part of….” Well… anything. 

Core groups are found in the military, as in the Marine Corps, but they’re also found in activist work, spiritual work, as well as in creative and business endeavors.  Often people in these situations gather with the intent to become the foundation of something specific – a mission, a movement, or to germinate an idea that they may run together, or allow to fly on its own.  

Sometimes we find ourselves in a core group without intending to.  When this happens it cannot be without consent, or the group isn’t truly a core.  I’m thinking of yoga classes, when people gather together with one intention (self-health and awareness), and by the end of the class find themselves pulling together the energy raised and sending it into the world with intent (either varied personal intents, or one singular intent).  This also happens at spiritual gatherings, in churches, and during moments of silence.  These too are core groups, even if it’s a fleeting gathering.  Many times groups like this are brought together with the intention of creating energy for a specific purpose, such as a protest or demonstration, or even a moment of silence honoring a person, moment or event. 

In instances such as these there is often the misunderstanding that numbers incite great change.

That’s not to say that the masses don’t have this ability.  However, more often it is the intent and personal power of a small group that creates greater change.  Large groups often wield incredible energy, but much like the Rarr (an elemental manifestation of boundless energy), large groups are often disorganized and all over the map in the way small focused groups are not.

Smaller core groups are devoted to a purpose, or to many aligned purposes, and therefore raise and disperse more meaningful energy than an unfocused group of many.

Scientifically I’m sure there are parallels to this – dense atoms with little space between their particles are more tangible than gaseous particles with lots of space within their walls.

Core group also has a mathematical definition, which I find similarly significant, as the creation of the earth and universe is clearly an equal combination of art/spirituality and science/mathematics. 

Mathematically, a core group is defined as a subgroup that’s invariant, or constant, despite changes in other members of a group.  These changes are referred to as conjugation, or an act of joining or union.  Conjugation is another term that has a number of meanings across a number of different fields including grammar, linguistics, and biology. 

Essentially mathematicians recognize that a core group, when combined with other elements or variables, can maintain its inherent nature while creating  something new.  As variables (or members) come in and out of the group, the new results still maintain the same essential energy or purpose. 

In other words core groups, whether in energy work or mathematics, are a source of stability that can be applied to a purpose.  They maintain an inherent structure that is as changeable as human nature, but maintains an unbroken focus or intent.

In my own life, I have experienced all of the above mentioned examples of core groups, and am practicing with participating in and forming some of my own.

My herbal apprenticeship with Robin Rose Bennett is one such group I’m learning to become a part of.  Mind Key is my greatest project yet, as it will eventually rely on the energy of a core group to keep it running at its highest purpose and vibration.

What core groups have you found yourself a part of?