No, you don’t need any experience at all.

The way I see it, being in circle is a practice, so nobody is an expert!

It’s important to me that these groups are welcoming to those trying circle for the first time, and that they feel accessible and comfortable too.

All voices are welcome, including the very quietest, and there is never any pressure to participate in activities or to speak.

These groups are kept intentionally small and low-fuss to help avoid overwhelm.

I’m all of the above, so know that you are very welcome!

You don’t, and I don’t teach any particular tradition in the groups.

What feels right for me is that everyone’s path is their own and is unique.

I do have my own practices, which I use to support myself and my holding of the circles. These are drawn from different traditions I have explored along the way. It may be that I share things I have found helpful during circle, but it’s not my role to be a teacher of any tradition.

These days I find it hard to be comfortable on the floor (and to get back up again!), so I choose to use chairs in the hope that most people can feel physically comfortable.

If you are more comfortable on the floor though, that is fine too!

Council is essentially a practice in listening deeply to others and in allowing ourselves to be truly heard.

We sit in a circle, and everyone has the opportunity to speak.

We use a talking piece, allowing the person holding it to speak without interruption, and to be heard with full attention.

There are four basic foundations of council:

●       Listening from the heart

●       Speaking from the heart

●       Spontaneous speech

●       Essential speech

The gifts of this practice are many, and extend far beyond the time we spend together, rippling out to benefit our individual lives and our communities.