FEEDBACK

'The atmosphere at these meetings reminded me a little of present opening on Christmas day.  People sitting around giving, while each of us was invited to open ourselves up and get a chance to really check out the person inside.  This person had been boxed up under the tree for long enough and I felt that mixture of expectation, awkwardness, fear and exhilaration.  From the circle I felt loving kindness and the reassurance that it doesn't  matter so much what comes out, as much as how we respond to it in our hearts.   I found the experience by turns delightful, scary, transformative, mysterious, embarrassing, something to be cherished...  It felt like I had started to discover, with the help of every single person in the group, an ancient portal into a healthier way of living.  Delicious stuff.'

L. Williams – Care Assitant

'...thank-you for an inspiring set of WOC gatherings. I found the experience a very moving one.  Something about pure listening and being listened to.  So far from the usual round of "conversation" and "discussion".  I thought the group was magnificent, it all ran so beautifully, I thought, for everyone.  I felt very safe, and included, and I felt lovely things were happening all around. I am very grateful.'

Rev M. Gould – Rebirther

'...it’s hard to put into words what the group has meant to me, but it is big!  There’s a warmth of community, a spirit of joyfulness & an opportunity to grow from the heart that has enriched my life & my soul.  Thank you, what you do is very special and much needed in our world.  Someone said something on a retreat last year about an atmosphere of ‘kindly appreciation’ allowing us to be who we really are, and this really resonates for me about my experience of WOC'
 
J. Wright – Development Coordinator  The Prince's Trust

'Yes indeed I found the circle most rewarding if not a little unnerving at times but that's life isn't it? Sometimes I felt I wasn't really listening and being listened to enough. My only crit really.  Think it might be nice to have more than a minute to gather and 'drop in'. Maybe a 10 minute visualisation would be good. I think that's why I felt I was just warming up as the sesh was coming to an end.' 

S. Rae – Actor

'I really got a lot  from the circles that I did attend...I feel like I learnt something core, about the value of the real. I will definitely be attending more circles in the Autumn. And possibly attending some drop in sessions too ...'

A. RenskeMann – Artist

FEEDBACK from Pre-Birth Council

'We were at a crisis point in our relationship and the space you held helped me to connect and process some dark and truly uncomfortable emotions. I had felt totally disempowered, fearful and spiritually void, which is a terrible position to be in when one is at loggerheads with one’s partner and about to have a child. I found the experience transcendental and shamanic, in that so much of the detritus was cleared without the need for words. Having you come on such short notice to mediate for us was a priceless gift. I felt truly supported and part of a real community!
I’ve no doubt that the journey we three took through council helped Orlando to be born safe and well in a peaceful, loving and welcoming environment.
Blessings on you and many, many thanks'

R. V. Community Chef

...during our council session with him (Rob) we experienced a deep sacredness in our communication together, and the impact of this on our relationship has been profound

R. F. Mother & Facilitator

FEEDBACK from relationship sessions

I found the council a few weeks ago deeply moving and inspiring and it has appeared to facilitate S and I taking the step to actually gift each other with freedom and commit to unconditional love. We will see how that unfolds for us as individuals and as partners.
I notice you used 'heart full' to describe your experience and that is exactly how I experienced your facilitation: i wanted to thank you for that.

MBH – Arts psychotherapist

As a group we were all finding the pace of life stressful, our ability to communicate our feelings, concerns and ideas became increasingly harder to achieve. Over-reacting emotionally led quickly to arguments and further distress for us all.
Our group session with Rob unblocked the energy, feelings and concerns that we were all suffering. By having the opportunity to speak uninterrupted in a safe and regulated environment allowed us all to witness and empathise with each others concerns. It removed much of the defensive and fearful aspects of engaging in debate. We rapidly moved forward and began to enjoy our exchange of ideas and feelings. This has led to a greater feeling of mutual and harmonious solidarity. Change for us now is very dynamic and exciting. I think I can speak for the group by saying that the experience was both rejuvenating and healing.

Casian Garbett – Furniture maker

Thanks for Rob's help! One day with Rob's help our family quickly ended the kind of dreadful atmosphere in our new life. His gentle attitude and bright ideas quickly opened all of our hearts to the sunshine and now we can get warm sunshine from each other! We could talk, criticise, communicate easily and we are in such a harmonious happy family. We are thankful to you Rob!

Liu Yi Jin

FEEDBACK International

...it was a pleasure even for that day. We applied the council with Stella my wife, it seemed like the most honest and real conversation we had. It's like it dissolves fear of judgement on the one part and judgement altogether on the other.

Nikos Manios – Greece

It turned out that it was more than good idea for my feelings, to join you yesteday, in the council. Best wishes to what you are doing. Personally I am influenced in the positive by the next features of the Councils:

1) The feelings of respect , holiness and sacred moments or actions, through slow movements, low volume voice, singular sound of the bells, and perfect execution of the protocols.
2) The perfect execution of the protocol of rotation of the speaking-stick , where indeed when one speaking none else is interrupting. (No compulsive speaking is so tolerated or a chaos of domination through louder voices)
3) Use of the 1st person of the grammar, no one is speaking of behalf of the others
4) A really "live" interplay between what and how it is programmed to be said, and inspirational spontaneity
5) The emphasis of speaking from the heart, with sincerity, vulnerability and sensitivity.
6) The intermingling of succinct speaking with meditation.
7) The opportunity to touch the others and feel the energies flowing.
8) A new experience of "me" and "we" and a larger number of persons non-threatening intimacy (group soul ?)
9) The opening of the sensitivity of symbolic meaning of even of the simplest objects of the environment.
10) The opening of the spiritual sensitivity of multiple symbolic meanings of even of the simplest words and phrases of the stories told.
11) An feeling of the 5 senses being more acute.

I could think of more points, but I think 11 are enough. Best wishes

Costas Kyritsis – University Lecturer, Greece

A life enhancing experience! Way of Council has helped me improve my listening, intuition, objectivity and awareness. I find it relevant in my daily life. After experiencing two months of daily circles with Rob, I found his guidence well balanced with teaching, openness, humor, quirkiness, and authenticity. I highly, highly recommend!

Eliza Keeley – US

OTHER
SIGNIFICANT COUNCIL DATES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TBA

As an introduction to the Way Of Council and to community practices, worshops and circles are offered for groups either forming or established, teambuilding and maintaining, businesses, partnerships and personal relationships.

Love is the Medicine – A council for Active LightWorks Charity Brighton

Way of Council is very effective from two people upward. Groups up to about 13 tend to work best with complex and intimate sharings. However, whatever size and nature of the group, councils can be adapted to each specific purpose and arrangement.