The Guidelines For Women's Circles Revisited

In our circles, as we open with a song or reading initiated by the facilitator of the week, we then begin to pass an object, a talking stick or flower or stone, honoring whomever is holding the object to be the the sole speaker in the group.

Hold confidentiality with great care

Listen solely and deeply to the woman currently speaking

Be spontaneous and unrehearsed at your time of sharing (take time to breathe and check in before you begin to speak)

Speak from the PRESENT moment. See if you can drop the stories, the drama, the issues and focus on where you are in your bones, in this room, in this circle, right now. If you had a big intense experience, focus on what about you is growing or searching---not the story about all the players and who did what. BE with yourself and your circle in your present moment.

Be aware of the amount of time you speak---feel it---allowing yourself "lean" sharing and allowing time for others

Speak from "I" in a deeply personal way that reveals what is happening for you--allow yourself to deeply hear yourself and to trust the circle to hold you in their care (note: they will hold you in the way each understands. You must also hold yourself.)

Take responsibility for your own experience---your own thoughts, feelings, reactions, responses, attitudes.

Save information, announcements and input for later. Keep the sacred "container," the circle you have opened and where you pass the talking stone, as sacred. It is for hearing the heart and soul and journey. Matters of logistics and daytimers are more mental---busier thoughts. Share them after the closing of the circle or by written material or email.

This applies to planning as well. Save the "who is facilitating next week" and relative questions for after closing the circle.

If you feel strongly to give advise or input, please give it one-on-one after the circle, and only after asking the woman if she wants it. Honor her own journey as hers.

Notice if you feel more deeply connected to yourself and your circle afterwards. This is a reflection of yourself and what energy you moved inside of yourself---how deeply you connected. Ask yourself how you can go more deeply into the heart of your life and of this circle. Listen to yourself and growing awareness.

What a blessing is this opportunity to be together as women in community.

New Dates for New Warrior Training Adventure for Men

April 23-25, 2010 is the next ManKind Project (mkp.org) New Warrior training on the Big Island.

There's discussion of having the celebration for the newly initiated men on the following Sunday and at a larger venue to better include families. Good job, guys!

Are there women interested in creating a women's gathering with children at the beach on the same weekend?

Update from Kona Group and Women's Workshop

Happy New Year to all,

Just a quick reminder after the holidays that tomorrow night we have an open Kona Women's Circle meeting at Hale Halawai at 5:00-7:00pm.
This will be led by co-leader Claire Bajos. The focus will be intentions for the new year.

http://www.konawomensworkshop.com/Kona_Women_s_Circle.html

And there are two great Kona Women's Workshops over the next two Thursday nights.

http://www.konawomensworkshop.com/Featured_Speakers.html


Aloha,
Tina

Suggested article and invitation from Hilo Group!

Happy New Year from the Hilo Women's Circle!

We had our second meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5. We started with an article from the DailyOM, http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2010/21573.html.This article helped us think about how we feel when we are authentic, and how our culture, families and situations have enhanced and blocked our Authentic Selves. We talked about our mothers. We marveled at how we hardly know our parents in some ways, and how different our partners' families seem to be. This sharing was a continuation of our first meeting...we decided to address the topic of Intentions at a future meeting.

Our circle includes women in theirs late-20s, 40s, 50s and 60s, which gives us a multi-generational look at our topics. We are open to new members.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the home of DeeDee Grace, 6-8 p.m.

Hilo Group Update

Aloha Ladies,
Just a reminder that our next meeting will be on Tuesday Jan. 5, 2010 at 6:00-8:00 pm at my house. 135 Hokupaa Street. Let me know if you have any other women who are interested in attending. I look forward to seeing you all.
DeeDee
hoomana48@hotmail.com