A 5-week deep dive into the practice of Circling…

Circling is a powerful practice of meditation-in-connection, embodied presence, authentic relating, and collective intelligence. If you are new to Circling, scroll down to the ‘Wait… What even is Circling?’ section below.

Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/JU8Mypz0

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WHAT IS IT?

This is a 5-week closed group: an in-depth exploration of the practice, principles and skills of Circling.

A closed group container facilitates a progressive development and deepening, both individually and as a collective. This container is designed to guide you into a deeper level of practice – whether you are relatively new to the practice and are seeking a foundational understanding of Circling, or a more experienced practitioner wishing to explore and refine your practice with an intimate committed group.

It is intended that you will leave with an experience of the transformational potential of Circling: not only its utility as a ‘practice’ or skillset, but also its potential to profoundly impact your way of being and relating in daily life.

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WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Over 5 weekly meetings, we will explore, practice and refine the 5 principles of Circling:

Staying with the level of sensation
Owning experience
Trust in experience
Commitment to connection
Being with the other in their world

Each session will include some theory to deepen and inform your understanding of Circling, but our focus will be on practice.

Practices will include pair and triad exercises, Focus Circling and Flow Circling. Everyone will have the opportunity to be Focus Circled.

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WHO IS IT FOR?

Participants are expected to have some experience with Circling, meditation, authentic relating, or other relevant conscious practices.

This group will be geared towards a more intermediate level of practice. Participants need not necessarily have experience with Circling; however, if you are new to Circling, you are encouraged to first attend Circling: Mindful & Authentic Relating (Sunday workshops @ CERES https://fb.me/e/SY64kp0S). If you have not attended Circling @ CERES before, please get in touch via email before booking (isabelle@circlingaustralia.org).

This group is suitable for intermediate and experienced practitioners, especially those without significant training in the Circling Europe lineage.

The group will be limited to 8 participants.

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HOW WILL I BENEFIT?

Though people often notice benefits after their first few experiences of Circling, those who continue to deepen into the practice commonly describe profound shifts including:

A deeper connection with self, other and life
More self-awareness, including an ability to contact subtler layers of experience
A deeper trust in experience, including the intuitive and non-rational
Refined relational skills: an ability to own experience, navigate conflict more skilfully, name boundaries, communicate with vulnerability
A growing presence and surrender in daily life
More access to purpose, direction and aliveness
More authenticity, increased awareness of masks and defences
Integration of shadow and relational blind-spots
More access to curiosity, wonder and mystery in connection
More easeful integration of and grounding in spiritual experience
Rapid acceleration of personal growth and development

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DATES AND STRUCTURE

We will meet on five consecutive Tuesday evenings (with the exception of Nov 7, a public holiday):

Tues October 31, 6:30-9pm

Tues November 14, 6:30-9pm

Tues November 21, 6:30-9pm

Tues November 28, 6:30-9pm

Tues December 5, 6:30-9pm

@ Black Spark Cultural Centre, Northcote

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COST AND BOOKINGS

Early bird (until Oct 18): $229 (5 available)

General: $289

A limited number of concession places are available. If you would like to join but are experiencing financial hardship, please get in touch with Isabelle at isabelle@circlingaustralia.org

If you would like to save on ticketing fees, contact isabelle@circlingaustralia.org

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WAIT… WHAT EVEN IS CIRCLING?

Circling is a powerful interpersonal meditation practice, in which mindful awareness is brought to the experience of being ourselves in connection with others.

It is a practice of authentic relating, embodied presence, and radical being with – allowing and opening to the fullness of what is here within and between us.

You need not show up in any particular way, and there is no goal other than opening more skilfully and truthfully to what is here. In other words, you will be met – and encouraged to meet yourself – exactly as you are, where you are. From this place, a wide range of experiences can emerge both individually and as a group, including authentic self-leadership, embodied intuition and aliveness, and collective intelligence.

Circling can have similar benefits to meditation, coaching and therapy, but is a distinct practice. For instance, it is not a practice of silence or stillness, unlike some common types of meditation; and is not goal-oriented, unlike some common therapeutic and coaching modalities.

The simple practice of being authentically present with self and other often leads to powerful experiences of insight and personal growth. Participants are often deeply touched by the authenticity and openness of the space. Longer-term practitioners frequently experience profound shifts in their connection to self, other and life; and in their ability to live from surrender and aliveness. The practice can also be confronting and challenging, and may reveal deep-seated relational patterns or struggles. Please reach out if you are unsure if this practice is for you.

There are two main forms of Circling: Focus (a.k.a. Birthday Circling) and Flow (a.k.a. Surrendered Leadership).

In Focus Circling, one person receives the attention of a small group. The intention is to be with the Circlee in their world and explore what it is like to be them in this moment, following our curiosity and noticing what happens in our own experience as we are with them.

Flow Circling is better experienced than described. You will be invited to bring awareness to your present moment experience of self, other and group. There is no one focus of attention; rather, the Circle is guided by surrender to the emerging flow of aliveness and collective intelligence.

For those interested to learn more:

Short trailer from forthcoming Circling documentary: https://youtu.be/ctK2bm4d_HQ

Circling Europe Co-Founder on ‘What is Circling?’: https://youtu.be/4uRPJKOC0-g

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ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Facilitated by: Isabelle Xavier

Isabelle trained as a Circling Facilitator with Circling Europe in Amsterdam, and is certified by Circling Europe and the International Circling Federation. She previously spent 18 months training in meditation in Buddhist monasteries and retreat centres in Asia, including 10 months on intensive silent retreat. She holds a B.A. from the University of Oxford and a Master’s from Harvard University. She is currently teaching at the University of Melbourne and Swinburne, and completing her post-graduate clinical training in Gestalt psychotherapy at the Relational Institute Australia. She is offering Gestalt therapy sessions on a 'pay from the heart' basis; you can join the short waitlist here: https://forms.gle/iobVbHUWZ6nwt5cL9