THE FOUR INTENTIONS
Within
the circle there are four intentions that hold the space together,
which when observed, create safety and allow truth and trust to
build in this very simple and powerful practice.
‘LISTENING
FROM THE HEART’
Attentive listening, ‘witnessing’. Seeking understanding
and accepting others as they are, staying present and centred and
when we give full attention, helps another to reach their truth
more easily. Beyond ourselves and the other, is the soul of the
circle. This is heard from the heart.
‘SPEAKING
FROM THE HEART’
Speaking our personal story, using "I" statements. Favouring feelings
and making as transparent as possible our process. Speaking from the heart doesn't
necessarily mean using words – sound, movement, spontaneous expressions
from the heart in all forms that are responsibly made are welcome. Even silence
itself speaks.
Speak what will serve yourself, the circle,
the highest good
‘SUCCINCTNESS’
Being of lean expression, helps us to attend to what is important,
recognise that our truth need not have to be re-inforced by repetition,
since we are being heard, and as there are often many in a circle,
allows time for all to share.
‘SPONTANEITY’
Suprise yourself by not planning on what or rather how you will
speak. Focusing on your own story while others have the talking
piece will reduce capacity to ‘listen’ when they
speak. The heart does not plan. Spontaneity encourages playfullness,
realness and the "voice" of the moment to be free.
CONFIDENTIALALITY
Essential
for sake of trust and respect, Confidentialality is the fifth
intention held outside of circle times. What is said within
the circle, stays within the circle.
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When Native people speak
they are not talking from the head,
relating some theory, mentioning what they read
in a book, or what someone else has told them.
Rather, they speak from the heart,
from the traditions of their people,
and from the knowledge of their land:
they speak of what they have seen
and heard and touched,
and what has been passed on to them
by the traditions of their people.
It is their inner silence that allows them to
listen to the prompting
of their hearts
and to the subtle resonances that lie within
each
word of a language and which,
when uttered, reverberate throughout
the world.
–
David F Peat –
Blackfoot
Physics
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