The circle - a space for heart and free spirit

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
 
 
"If we allways speak and listen with Respect
Allways speak and listen with the Heart
In this way we may come together and find ourselves
In this way we can come home"
                                             Manitonquat, The Circle Way
  
As it occurs in many places and have been going on for centuries WE here at Sukkertoppen invite you to gather in the Circle
- to discover, to grow and to listen...
- to find our seperate ways HOME
and maybe to meet in a bigger field.. a field of many colours. 
 

Some guidelines and the rule of confidentiality. 

The guidelines points to how we all contribute in creating a safe and free space of the circle. Respecting both the one who share and the ones who listen and give their support. 
 
The physical framework:
* In warmer periods of the year we seek to find a sheltered place for the circle in nature or in Hannah's Caminion (camp wagon).
During winter when we gather indoor, the warmth and fire from the stove contribute to the atmosphere of the room. 
A candle light placed in the center of the circle will symbolize the unity of the circle, as well as we often do a small candle light ceremony involving everyone connected to the circle. 
  
* A wooden heart - goes from hand to hand and gives focus to the one who holds it. 
 
The Sharing.
With the 'talking heart' in your care, it is time for you to share.  You may choose to spend time in silence and meditation, speak through words, tunes or movement.... whichever way feels good and natural for you in the moment.
This time of yours will not be interrupted unless you ask for support and feedback from the circle. 
 
When you SHARE seek to:
- speak and share from the heart
- share what needs to be shared. No more. - No less
- follow the impulse of the moment 
 
The Listening.
To listen is a skill we need to learn and train.
Nobody is perfect - noone needs to be
Just know that:
* Listening and witnessing, you have a big influence on the space and how the sharing person feels safe and free.
 
It's common not to understand all (or any) words or cohesion of what is being shared. Trust that your PRESENCE will have the influence necessary..
 
When you LISTEN seek to:
- listen from your heart - listen with respect   
- do not make comments or give advice - unless it's asked for  
  
The in Betweens
* Between the individual sharings, we make space of the transfer to the next person. This time and other times can call for a song, movement or any other kind of common 'activity' for the group that fits the moment
– the impulse can come from everyone in the circle.
Feel free to join in or withdraw. 
 
To End each sharing
* The HOU from native american tradition - meaning ‘I have spoken’ – can be a good way to make a clear announcement that you have finished your sharing and that you are ready to pass the wooden heart and your attention on to the next person
or it may feel more familiar with a 'thank you'. 
The group may answer with at HOU – also meaning something like
‘I have listened/I appreciate your sharing’ or a 'thank you' back
Thus it is a way of expressing and feeling the cohesion of the circle and the readiness to move on to the next.
It might feel awkward - but it works ;-)
 
The one Rule:
* WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CIRCLE STAYS IN THE CIRCLE.
In the circle we give this promise of confidentiality. It also points out that things being shared in the special time of the circle often do not fit in later small talk between the members of the circle.
 
The tast of the Host
* As a host, you take the lead to hold this framework and point out the rule of confidentiality. 
Somehow you will be acting out the spirit of the circle by your own presence, respect, intuition and intunement to the group.
But when the 'talking heart' comes to you, you can share and participate equally with others.
 
Many people will be able to hold a circle when they have joined in a couple of times. 
 
Diversity - at times - dissolves into Oneness
Sometimes the ‘leadership’ almost dissolves when everyone is familiar with the spirit and guidelines of the circle. In responsiveness we may find ourselves surrendering to the impulses of the moment and a co-creation of a wider space may emerge.
This tend to happen onto the end, where enough time and space for the individual has been respected and cared for by the group and the structure and spirit of the circle has worked its ways.
 
Welcome in the Circle
Welcome Home
 
 
 
 
*
 
♥
♥                ♥
 
♥                            ♥
 
♥               ♥
♥
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Through Manitonquat, - Mecicine Story - native american elderly,
I (Hannah) had my first encounter
with the active spirit of the circle
and other ways of organising
a heart based community. 
Born in 1929 he and Ellika still brings this old Indian wisdom into a modern context and perhaps into a new era.
 
 
seedsofthenew.dk | Sukkertoppen, Søhøjlandet, Midtjylland - DENMARK