The circle is a universal symbol for unity and wholeness, and the practice of meeting in circles is ancient. Each of us has ancestors, no matter their ethnic or racial background, who sat around a fire.
Since the times when people sat around fires, we have developed many variations of the circle: support groups, dialogue groups, group therapy, Bible study groups, twelve-step groups, meditation circles, men’s and women’s circles, to name a few.
Essentially, the goal of wisdom circles is to help you find your truth, to explain it effectively while staying open to others, and to develop a deep sense of personal and collective trust.
Circle sessions focus on the fundamental ground of what it means to be human: open connection and communication. Each session contains unique opportunities to tap into the mystery at the heart of the human experience; revealing new ways of connecting with ourselves, with each other, and with a greater whole.
Responsibility
You are a free being. We assume you are capable of honest self-reflection and responsible action. This is an invitation to take responsibility for:
- yourself
- your experience
- the choices you’re making
- the beliefs and stories you share
- how you’re participating in the circle
- what you’re accepting as true and relevant
You are invited to “lead” yourself in any way you feel is right — taking a break whenever you need, for example. You may trust that others are practicing the same sort of self-leadership.
Co-creation
Wisdom circles can lead to transformational growth. This is achieved through communication, reflection and surrender— rather than aiming for healing outcomes directly.
Unlike practices such as coaching or therapy, wisdom circles are focused on what is happening right now. This opens us up to what is present in the moment. Within us and between us.
While honoring a wide variety of different schools of thought, there is no standard therapeutic model of diagnosis or treatment. The emphasis is on authentic human connection.
Each of us are co-creators of the circle. We are on the same journey of presence and aliveness. We do not prescribe choices or actions. We are not psychotherapists. We relate to each other in the present moment, assuming that wholeness can induce greater wholeness.
Facilitation
Every wisdom circle has one or more facilitators. A facilitator moderates the group interaction but stays neutral. They are mainly there to make sure that everyone has a great journey.
There are several incorrect expectations about what facilitators should do during wisdom circles.
Some examples:
- telling people what to do
- stating the “right way” to act
- making sure we all get along
- providing a clear interpretation of what is happening, why it is happening and the way it is happening.
Again: we are invited to “lead” ourselves in any way that feels right, and we trust that others are practicing the same self-leadership.
Practice
Every circle session will start with a short ritual to bring our awareness back to the present. Here and now. For example by lighting candles. After that, the facilitator(s) will explain the structure of the circle — either free flowing or a guided format.
In guided formats, a facilitator communicates the boundaries or guidelines of the circle upfront. This could mean a specific topic or theme, or special rules such as speaking time limits or the order of speaking turns. At the beginning of each guided circle, a moment is reserved to agree on the guidelines and their enforcement.
Example of a guided circle:
- Someone is invited to share knowledge that aligns with the wisdom theme of the evening. The shared knowledge may be propositional, procedural, perspectival, or participatory. Words, images or music can be used to inspire the circle.
- Participants are invited to reflect on what was shared, for example by asking questions or by adding their point of view. The aim is to dive deeper into the shared wisdom.
- Eventually a moment is reached when nothing else needs to be said. In this silence we experience a sense of completion. We thankfully accept and embrace this moment with stillness.
- After a moment of silence, everyone is invited to share feedback. In particular those who were more silent during the circle:
- where did you agree or disagree?
- which insights are you taking home?
- how did you experience the group dynamic? - If there is time and energy, we might repeat step 1 with a different share. If not, there is a free flowing format: a chance to share thanks and praises, ask personal feedback, or get to know each other better over tea or drinks (until it’s time to go home).
More ideas for guided formats:
- Let participants raise their hand to signal an intent to speak. The circle facilitator will then assign speaking turns.
- Let participants summarize the previous contribution before they can add their own wisdom to the circle.
- To encourage participation, let speaking turns flow to the left. If one has nothing to share, they can simply remain silent and say “pass” to let the speaking turn flow to the next person.
- Make use of a “silence totem” to encourage mindful speaking. An item is placed in the middle of the circle. If one has a need for stillness, they can grab this item to signal their need. The same could also be done by raising both hands. A facilitator makes sure that this need for silence is respected by the rest of the circle.
Every wisdom circle is a practice arena for the way we want to be present in the world. Your conscious behavior within the circle will translate into a healthier way of being in the world.
Are wisdom circles right for me?
Wisdom circles can be deeply meaningful and insightful. We explore the unknown with open minds and hearts.
We may encounter stories or beliefs that are unfamiliar, or feelings other people see as “negative” or “inappropriate” such as inadequacy, anger, sexuality, or doubt. The willingness to feel difficult or uncomfortable things is a commitment we all make. Each participant is asked to communicate their boundaries clearly.
We aim to understand how our narratives about what is happening can change our reality structure, and we try to expose reality structures that are unhealthy or unhelpful.
We often examine multiple sides of seeming opposites at once, such as independence and interdependence, chaos and order, agreement and disagreement. This can be paradoxical.
Some conversations might seem chaotic at first, but we believe it can reveal the underlying reality of what it means to be human.
Questions to ask yourself:
Can I speak from the heart? Can I express my truth while choosing my words carefully, with sensitivity to their impact? Can I be thankful to those who bear witness to my words?
Can I listen from the heart without judgment, without resistance, to the truth of another being longing to be heard?
Can I sit in silence to explore my own depth?
Can I remain open to the feeling of community that is wishing to be born among the participants of this wisdom circle?
Disclaimer
Wisdom circles can have a sacred purpose. The simple rituals used in the circle can guide participants to a sense of the sacred. That is: to a deep relationship with their self, with others, and with ultimate reality; the ground of being.
By its nature, a circle reveals that each point on the circle is related to all others, and that each point is to be valued. Listening can even become a collective spiritual practice, where the person speaking becomes the focus of meditation. Part of the spiritual work is helping each member feel safe enough to participate authentically.
When a wisdom circle meets regularly over an extended period of time, amazing things can happen. People learn to trust the process; the circle itself becomes the teacher. Participants both receive and contribute to the wisdom of the group.
If the above description sounds potentially overwhelming, or if you are unsure whether you can be self-directed in taking care of your needs during the circle, we advise you not to take part.
Participation is free for everyone. If you are willing and able to donate, you can ask the facilitator(s) for a way to help.
