How To Form A Sacred Circle Study Group

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How To Form A Sacred Circle Study Group

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This article is focused on how to teach The Science Of Sustainable Health and Success, via local groups. The focus is on teaching the science of sustainable health and keeping the focus on a global village, global consciousness, and/or spirituality rather than on any one specific religion or a more specific focus. 

If the group focus is on spirituality or consciousness, an example of a sacred circle book study focus may  be the audio book provided in the video above; Conversations with God Book I.  The book has a general enough focus that even people who have no belief in God can read it and discuss it in a group with people who do believe in God, as well as people who have questions about God and/or religion.

One potential focus for a sacred circle study group may be any book or story that focuses on the global village, just to start with. Other focuses may be stories related to the question of what is a sacred circle? Another focus for this group is; what works for seven future generations within a given subject matter that is chosen as a focus? The links below can form part of the subject matter for a local group discussion. 

More questions to help focus the group on particular stories or books may be; what is the difference between spirituality, consciousness, community, commons, cult and religion? What is it that all religions have in common? What is this concept called God? Is there a God? What are the ingredients of the Science Of Sustainable Health And Success? These are all potential subjects for discussion in a sacred circle study group, but by no means is it limited to these questions.

Another suggestion for starting a sacred circle study group may be to focus on the story of stone soup, such as this article......

Dr. Goodheart Teaches How To Make Stone Soup That Will Feed Seven Future Generations
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2014/07/dr-goodheart-teaches-how-to-make-stone.html

What does this story mean to you? What feelings does it bring up inside of you? What interpretation would you assign to this story, as it relates to your community or the global village, or to 7 future generations?

It is also important for the group to understand the power of the sacred circle, so the group should focus on the story, as told by the article below, close to the beginning or at the formation of the group. It can be retold periodically, as new members join, and the group membership changes.

The Great Sacred Circle Story
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-great-sacred-circle-story.html

What does this story mean to you? What feelings does it bring up inside of you? What interpretation would you assign to this story, as it relates to your community or the global village, or to 7 future generations?

Another story that can be shared is the story of The Cave.. or Untying The Gordian Knot

Analogy of the Cave, Plato's Cave or Parable of the Cave
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2014/07/analogy-of-cave-platos-cave-or-parable.html

Untying The Gordian Knot - A Spiritual Warriors Metaphor For How To Solve Personal And Global Issues; via @AGreenRoad
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2014/04/untying-gordian-knot-spiritual-warriors.html

What does this story mean to you? What feelings does it bring up inside of you? What interpretation would you assign to this story, as it relates to your community or the global village, or to 7 future generations?

Humanity Has A Bright Future And Destiny; Here Is How You Can Help Make It Happen

The article above goes into the potential of a small group acting together to make huge changes happen both locally and globally. The sacred circle group can be the locus for this. Ask your group and see if there is interest on focusing in this direction. But don't be disappointed if your group is not ready yet.. Just work and start from where people are. The Rainbow tribe is waking up, and eventually they will get there, because it is our destiny and birthright. 

FORMING A SACRED CIRCLE


Any story such as the Great Sacred Circle story, or any other ancient fable or any book with a global universal global village focus where all people are equal, can be used in a sacred circle. 

A circle can be formed by two people, such as a prayer partnership, which is a very specific form of a small sacred circle, but larger circles can also be created. The circle does have to be a physical location where people actually meet. The sacred circle can be formed virtually, either by phone, or via a conference call that can include the global village. https://www.freeconferencecall.com/ 

The suggestion is to use only the phone service, preferably a land line or cell phone with a very good and solid connection. Do not use connections that skip, lag or break, such as skype or poor quality cellphones, as it affects the sacred circle energy dynamics in a negative way. Keep the connection strong, clear and solid, either physically coming together in a group at one location, or virtually by phone. 

Introduction To Non Denominational Interfaith Prayer Partnering; How It Works And Why It Is Necessary
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2014/06/introduction-to-non-denominational.html

Another form that a sacred circle group may decide to focus on is an Elder Wisdom Council... This group may consist of only elders, or a variety of other forms, as outlined in the following article. 

Elder Wisdom Council; What Is It? How Does It Work?
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2014/07/elder-wisdom-council-what-is-it-how.html

OPENING WITH A PRAYER


The meeting may be opened with a prayer and/or closed with a prayer, but this is not required.  If a prayer is used, make sure that the prayer is general enough to fit and apply to everyone in the circle and not offend anyone, or let different people lead the prayer each time if the prayer does not 'fit' everyone present. 

For example, in an larger weekly interfaith coffee group, the prayer may rotate between different religions and each faith can offer their prayer that is unique to their religion for the benefit of the group, but without trying to 'convert' anyone. Focus on finding what is in agreement between the different faiths, rather than on what is different. 

EVERY PERSON IS EQUAL IN THE SACRED CIRCLE


The important aspect of this sacred circle, no matter what the focus, is that each person feels equal and included and no one person or 'clique' is taking over or controlling the group dynamic. Thus, no leader should be elected or have power. Everyone is equal in the circle. All hearts in the circle beat equally. All minds in the sacred circle are worthy of equal consideration. 

If a facilitator is chosen, that may be this person's role for a time, but make sure there is a time limit to this position, (no more than a year) and then rotate this position to the next person, so that no one person assumes control of the group, and that the 'load' of responsibility as a facilitator is passed around the circle. 

PICK A STORY, ARTICLE, VIDEO OR BOOK TO READ


One possible format for a sacred circle or a study group (there is no one right way) is that a person or the group picks a focus. The focus can be a story, an article or a book. The person tells the story to everyone who is attending, with everyone sitting in a 'sacred' circle. The group can also start as a book study group or a movie and discussion group. Check with the local art council for space, or a local senior center, just as a couple of ideas of how and where to start a group like this.

HOW TO START A LOCAL GROUP


To start the group, put up flyers and/or posters around town, announce it in a community newspaper, senior center newsletter or arts council newsletter, (or other) and arrange a time and meeting place in some central location in a town or city. Let the group decide on future meetings times, dates and locations to maximize attendance. Each group will be different, but generally a week day evening meeting will be the time when more people are able to attend, after work for example. 

The story or book that is picked to start the group should have multiple and overlapping and universal global village and/or community meanings for best effect. Many of the older stories or fables accomplish this goal. The group may decide to pick a book to read, by consensus. The important thing is that each person in the group agrees on the choice of the story or the book and no one is dishonored, offended or put down by it.

COPYRIGHT PERMISSIONS


If the group decides to focus on a video from the links below this article, then the legal way to share a video is in a person's home, otherwise copyright issues come up. Sharing among friends in a person's home without charging money is not considered to be infringing on copyright permissions. Doing a book study in public is also not violating any copyrights. If a video or movie is shown in a public forum outside of the home, to keep it legal, obtain copyright permission from that distributor or author. 

WHAT TO CALL THE GROUP


The sacred circle study group can be called anything that the group wants to call it. It may be called a men's group, a women's group, a sacred circle, A Green Road Project meeting, a coffee clatch, an interfaith meeting, or whatever a person or that group wants to call it. The name can be changed along the way, to reflect the wishes of the group at that time, by consensus. This naming discussion may come up on a periodic basis, and that is ok. 

FOOD AND/OR DRINK AS PART OF THE SACRED CIRCLE


The name is not that important, but the circle format and the gathering to either drink coffee, tea and/or eat food together is. Drinking some kind of beverage and/or eating food together unites people. The food can be in the form of a potluck, with everyone bringing something. Or, if one person is willing, the host of the group may provide both the meeting place, and/or the refreshments, as long as it is not a burden for that person personally. If one person in the group has more to share than the others and is willing to offer it, that is ok, as long as that does not lead to 'controlling' the group.

Of course, if the study group, prayer partnership or meeting is virtual, the food and drink part of the community process is not possible.

EVERY PERSON SHARES OR PASSES


A circle unites people. Giving every person a chance to speak is also very important. Sharing one's truth as one sees and feels it unites people, even as the interpretations differ, in a very mysterious way. The end result is a growth in awareness and/or consciousness, which is also very mysterious, and sacred. The circle should be no larger than the amount of time it takes to let everyone share at least once, after the reading of whatever reading material is chosen.

Any person in the circle can pass and not say anything, as that is honoring free will and choice. Some people come in who are afraid, and unwilling to share for all kinds of reasons. Force and pressure should not be applied. Allow the flower of consciousness to open and bloom naturally, as it is watered with love, respect, attention and empathy or compassion. Sometimes individuals will express intense emotions as they share or shortly afterwards, and this too, is normal. 

The Five Stages Of Grief In Response To Trauma, Abuse, Disasters Such as Fukushima, or Loss; via @AGreenRoad

In the process of telling everyone what comes up for them as a life issue, or what that story means to them, different aspects of truth, consciousness, wisdom and/or spirituality will be brought to light. 

Everyone will learn from both the story being told, and from the sharing that everyone brings to the circle. The circle format is very important. In some form or fashion, a piece of the sacred, a piece of the mystery will be there.

Because the process is mysterious, it is that much more powerful. The sacred circle establishes everyone on an equal basis. There is no leader, and there is no follower. The circle is much more powerful with everyone being equal inside of it. 

LOCATION

A location should ideally be chosen that is easy for everyone to get to, and is free of any cost. Some suggestions are; restaurant, cafe, coffee shop, library meeting room, business meeting room, home, park, (meeting can be held outdoors in some areas and seasons) or even a church. Ideally, there is no money involved in hosting the meeting. If a cost is involved, then a donation may be asked of each member, but cannot be required. If money is involved, a treasurer should be elected, and a report given once a month of money collected and spent for group purposes. Ideally, the donation per per person, per week should be no more than $1.00. 

FACILITATOR, TIME KEEPER


A facilitator can chosen by the group, to set up a speaking rule based on the size of the group. The facilitator can set the rule of each person sharing no more than x amount of time which changes from meeting to meeting, to ensure that everyone gets a chance to speak, and a time keeper can be chosen at each meeting as needed, to track the amount of time, because some individuals will have tendency to go way over their allotted time, and thus not allow everyone to speak. 

If a group gets too large on a consistent base to the point where not everyone can speak, the group should be split in half and form two circles, each doing this same exercise. The groups can be in the same location in different rooms, or meet in different locations and at different times, thus giving more people an option to attend. 

A talking stick may be chosen by the group and held by one of the people who shows up each time, or it can be stored at the location of the meeting, such as at someone's house. A timer may also be used, such as a meditation timer device, which beeps or chimes when the allotted speaking time is up, if one or more people have an issue with going over their time consistently. Any person can call for a vote on any issue that comes up, and ideally, consensus is reached on any given issue or decision, but if not, the object is to get as close as possible to consensus and work through whatever issues are being raised by the person(s) who object.  

Emotional 'triggers' may come up, and these can also be a subject for a group focus... 

How To Not Become A Victim Of Negative Emotions; Become A Master Of Your Emotions, Using The Science Of Sustainable Health And Success
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-not-become-victim-of-negative.html

GROUP CHOOSES BOOK OR STORY


The group can pick any story or a book. Some suggestions for a focus might be; wise elder wisdom, spirituality, or consciousness. The book can be from the library or an audio book that is read online via the Internet and a laptop, so no cost is involved for anyone. Thousands of free books are available for download at http://www.gutenberg.org/. 

If the financial means are there, and the group chooses to, one individual or the group can choose to buy one book. Or the group may choose to have each member buy a book for personal use and reading, so that the book does not have to be passed around from person to person. The MOST important thing here is that the group decides on what book to choose, based on consensus, rather than any one individual taking charge and controlling the group. As one book is coming to an end, the discussion can focus on which subject and which specific book will be next, over a period of several weeks to a month, until a choice of books are offered and voted on. Any person in the group can offer any suggestion for a next book or story. 

HOW TO READ


Read the story, short story or book out loud, one page or several pages at a time, and then do the sacred circle exercise. This process will always be the same. Only one story, short story or book is needed. The book can be passed around and each person can either pass, or read a paragraph, and then pass it on to the next person. Whether a person reads or not is not important. If it is a short story, the group may decide to have one person read the entire story. 

WHAT TO SHARE


The important part is the sharing at the end. What does the section that was read mean to each person? What feeling(s) did it bring up? What life issue did it bring up for that person? What changes is that person going through right now that relate to what was read? What challenge is that person dealing with in relation to what was read? What is the metaphysical interpretation of what was read? 

There is no 'correct' answer, or the only answer. There is no right or wrong answer inside the sacred circle. The interpretation may relate to a personal or emotional issue for one person, a spiritual issue for another, and a worldly observation such as the following one for another person. Each person should be encouraged to share at least once. 

KEEP IT POSITIVE


Keep criticism or put downs of any one person against another out of the sacred circle. Allow each person to share as they see fit, in absolute freedom. A person may even share that they think this whole process is bullshit and they got nothing out of it, and that is ok, as long as they are not being a critic of another person in the circle or putting anyone down, or hurting anyone (racism, prejudice, xenophobia, etc.) Only talk about yourself, your feelings, your life issues, and not about someone else in the circle. Do not direct any comments or feedback to any other person in the group, unless they ASK specifically for that.  Always focus only on yourself. 

Everyone is perfect and right, exactly where they are inside of the sacred circle. There may be disagreement of viewpoints, but do not take the disagreement personally, and do not attack or be a critic of the person holding a different belief, opinion or faith from yourself. The 4 agreements are part of the 'rules of the road' for how to operate and what do say, inside of a sacred circle. 

The 4 Agreements; Heaven On Earth, Unconditional Love, Happiness, Bliss
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-4-agreements-heaven-on-earth.html

Another sacred rule for talking and sharing inside the sacred circle is; is it kind, is it necessary, is it true? A further question to consider is, how does what we just read, relate to 7 future generations? 



Group Guide


1. There is but one ultimate authority for each group, a higher power that may be expressed by that group's conscience.

2. Local group leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

3. The requirement for membership is showing up and having a desire to be of service in preserving as many of the planet's life forms as possible, through living in harmony with Nature.

4. Each local group should be self sufficient, except in matters affecting other groups, be independent as a group. 

5. Each local group has a primary purpose - To educate and inform the public about the details of the science of sustainable health, which is defined as what works for 7 future generations, without causing harm. 

6. A local group ought never endorse, finance, or lend it's name or property to any outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige, divert a local group from the primary purpose, which is to teach the Science of Sustainable Health, while providing a safe forum for moving beyond the addictions that everyone is prone to, through the use of the 12 steps as taught by AA. 

7. A local group should remain forever non-professional, but the parent organization may employ staff to manage offices.

8. Local groups ought never be organized; but may create service boards or committees directly responsible to the group they serve.

9. A Green Road (AGR) offers no dogma around political or religious issues other than the primary mission, which is asking the question; what works for 7 future generations? Hence local groups ought never be drawn into controversy on such matters. Our position is very simple; what works for 7 future generations, without causing harm? 

10. Our public relations policy is based on attraction as well as local community based promotion; we need to maintain openness to press, radio, and films, but without compromising the mission. 

11. Ethical and personal honesty are the spiritual foundations of all local groups, ever reminding us to place open mindedness, spiritual principles and the Science Of Sustainable Health mission before superstition, dogma or blind adherence to any particular belief system. 

12. A local group is based on love, trust, and group unity. This unity should always be held in the highest regard, ever reminding us to place principles and seven future generations, before personalities.
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End

How To Form A Sacred Circle Study Group
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-form-sacred-circle-study-group.html


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