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.
‘SPEAKING
FROM THE HEART’
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.
‘LISTENING
FROM THE HEART’
Attentive listening, ‘witnessing’, can reveal truths
that speaking or movement may not show, both in ourselves and to
others, and when given full attention, helps another to reach their
truth more easily.
‘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.
CONFIDENTIALALITY
Essential
for sake of trust and respect, Confidentialality is the fifth intention
held outside of circle times
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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 hearts and to the subtle resonances
that lie within each word of a language
which, when uttered,
reverberate throughout the world.
–
Maladoma Some –
The
Healing Wisdom of Africa
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