The Circle Way

Circle process is not a technique; it's a heritage. It is a way to be together that is familiar to people everywhere on the planet. ~Margaret Wheatley

This summer, for the first time in almost nine years, I was able to take a vacation that allowed for a full month of total rest and relaxation. It also served as a full circle experience. The trip brought me back to my roots in Upstate New York where I visited places and reconnected with people that I haven't seen in 35 years since moving to Florida. I was able to completely unplug from the busy routines of my life and settle into a slower pace with plenty of time to drink in the fresh, cool air from Lake Ontario, delight in the abundance of colorful wildflowers that line the country roads and bask in the long, light days of summer. It was exactly the medicine that I needed to restore myself and nourish my connection to my family. 

Another benefit of having so much free time was the ability to read and finish books that I have had for several months. One book that has inspired me to take action in my own life is called The Circle Way: A Leader in Every Chair. "Change the chairs and change the world," is the premise behind the work that Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea have developed to bring the circle process to organizations, families and communities around the world to support healing and growth. 

Briefly, according to this methodology, the "circle process" functions under three principles of participation and three practices of council. The principles of participation are:

Rotating leadership--each person assumes particular functions or roles.

Sharing responsibility--rather than a single person dictating the experience, each person contributes to the needs of the group.

Reliance on wholeness--"Reliance on wholeness reminds people that the circle consists of all who are present and the presence of the circle itself." 

The practices of council are:

Attentive listening--the practice of remaining an open and non-judgmental listener is one way of making a contribution to the circle. 

Intentional speaking--the practice of speaking our truth without blame or judgement and contributing stories or information that have relevance to the subject.

Attending to the well being of the group--the practice of considering our motivations for what we choose to contribute and if our words and actions would benefit the group. 

Having participated in various sacred circles throughout my own life, I can attest to the power and healing that comes from being a part of a such a dynamic experience. The circle is one of the oldest symbols recognized by humans. Jung considered the circle the central archetype of the Self and a universal representation of wholeness. Everyone is considered equally valuable in a circle and according to the Native American tradition each person has a unique view of the center to which they can contribute their voice for a more complete understanding. 

Circle serves as a container that invites participation, collaborative conversation and the possibility for generating creative solutions to our challenges. This model represents a paradigm shift from the traditional patriarchal "top-down" approach to leadership to one with an emphasis on the feminine qualities of relationship, inclusivity, and creativity. Imagine if your next company or family meeting agreed to set an agenda based on these principles and practices. . . what might be possible?  

Perhaps you can find ways in your own life circles to implement some of these ideas.  For women seeking authentic connection and community in the Clermont area, I am extending a special invitation to you this month: 

Inspired by this work and an on-going desire to support women in expressing the fullness of who they are, beginning Tuesday August 25 I will be offering a six week Women's Wisdom Circle at One Yoga and Fitness to combine the elements of the circle process along with an integrative yoga practice. Each week will offer a different topic or inquiry to stimulate personal reflection and soulful conversation. For more details or to register: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/admhome?studioid=22881 
The group size will be limited to 10 women so if this offering speaks to you I highly encourage you to sign up today!  

We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been - a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free. ~Starhawk