Community Fireside Council

You are heartily invited to join us in the transformational and deeply nourishing practice of sitting in a council circle. Fireside Council is a rare opportunity in our fast-paced world to slow down and be truly present. Experience the healing power of speaking and listening from the heart, witnessing and being seen, connecting with spirit and community…all within a guided and safe circle. We hope you will join us!

What to Expect

When you arrive, you will be welcomed by two trained facilitators. We always aim to gather around a fire, if the weather permits it. If it does not, we will meet indoors. Our council practice begins with a guided meditation to ground and center ourselves. This is followed by a reminder of the format and core principles: Speak from the Heart, Listen from the Heart, Be Spontaneous, and Be Lean of Expression.

At this point, we have arrived. We are present. We are attentive to ourselves and one another. We will engage in two to three rounds of sharing our stories, with the guidance of a topic brought by our facilitators.

Benefits of Sitting in Council

According to Beyond Us and Them (formerly The Ojai Foundation), the practice of council fosters attentive listening and authentic expression. Some of the benefits they point to include:

• giving voice to your story

• practicing spontaneity and connection

• suspending judgement

• developing compassion for others

• cultivating a positive response to stress

• understanding the roots of anger