Community Agreements

By adhering to these principles and agreements, we create a nurturing and supportive space where each member can thrive, grow, and connect. Together, we co-create a sanctuary of love, acceptance, and empowerment 🦋

1. Confidentiality: What is shared in the circle stays within the circle. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of all members by refraining from sharing personal stories or information outside of our sacred space.
2. Respect and acceptance: We honor and embrace the diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives within our circle. Treat all members with respect, kindness, and acceptance, regardless of differences.
3. Sovereignty — We follow the principle of choice. Everything is an invitation. We all have the option to opt-in or opt-out of any specific activity, meditation, or question.
4. Active listening: Practice deep listening without judgment or interruption. Allow each member the space to share their truth without feeling rushed or dismissed.
5. Authenticity: Embrace vulnerability and authenticity in your interactions. Share from the heart, speak your truth, and honor the courage it takes to be fully present and open.
6. Non-judgment: Refrain from making assumptions or judgments about others. Create a space where individuals feel safe to express themselves without fear of criticism or ridicule.
7. Boundaries: Respect personal boundaries and ask for consent before offering advice or feedback. Honor each member's autonomy and right to set boundaries for themselves.
8. Support and empowerment: Offer support, encouragement, and validation to fellow sisters. Celebrate their successes, hold space for their struggles, and empower them to embrace their journey of growth and self-discovery.
9. Conflict resolution: Address conflicts or disagreements with compassion, empathy, and open communication. Seek understanding, find common ground, and work towards resolution in a spirit of harmony and unity.
10. Self-care: Prioritize self-care and well-being throughout our gatherings. Honor your own needs and boundaries, and practice self-compassion and self-reflection as needed.
11. Community responsibility: Take ownership of our collective well-being and the vibrancy of our circle. Contribute positively to the energy and atmosphere of our community, and participate actively in our shared journey of healing and empowerment.

Authentic relating & Circling

Circling is a powerful practice in authentic relating that allows groups of people to explore their truths in the moment, understand mutual impacts, and reveal themselves vulnerably. By using the principles of circling, we can slow down, drop into our bodies, and relate in the present moment, exploring our feelings, sensations, and emotions.

Here are the five principles for circling, along with some helpful sentence starters:

1️⃣ Commitment to presence

By committing to returning to presence, we bring awareness to what is happening in our inner world as we relate to others. When we notice disconnection, we get curious about it.

• "Being here now, I notice..."
• "As I listen, I feel..."

2️⃣ Being with our bodies and sensations

One thing that sets circling apart from other types of communication is the attention we place on our bodies as a source of truth and wisdom. What is your body telling you about your experience in the moment?

• "I feel a sensation in my..."
• "My body is telling me..."

3️⃣ All is welcome

As we lean into presence and embodied truth, we welcome all energies and emotions that appear. Whether that be joyfulness, love, care, fear, anger, or sadness. All is welcome to be both felt and expressed.

• "I’m feeling..."
• "What’s coming up for me is..."

4️⃣ Being with others in their world

We take turns speaking and listen attentively, remaining present and observing our own reactions. We share how others' words impact us, or express curiosity about their experiences.

• "Hearing you share this, I notice..."
• "I feel curious about..."

5️⃣ Owning our experience

We see others as mirrors for ourselves and we take ownership of our experiences and perceptions. Avoid giving advice and notice your impulses, judgments, and projections, using "I" statements to express your feelings and perspectives.

• "I feel..."
• "I have a story that..."

These principles are our guiding lights. If you get lost, return to observing your inner experience. Slowing down and embracing silence can also be helpful and is encouraged.

If you're new to circling, here are some additional sentence starters:

• "In this moment, I feel..."
• "When you said that, I noticed..."
• "I’m aware that..."
• "A thought that comes up for me is..."
• "I'm experiencing..."
• "What's alive for me right now is..."