Introduction to Circling

**The course Fundamentals of Authentic Relating is a pre-requisite to participation in this course**

Course Description

Introduction to Circling is a 12 session journey through the intersubjective practice known as “Circling”. Circling is a practice concerned with the ‘we space’ or the collective field between us as human beings. In some ways research and exploration into this collective field is a reasonably new phenomena, although likely aspects of this kind of practice has always been a part of human culture. 

Diving into this collective field can be an incredibly potent, insightful, deeply nourishing and transformative experience. Words to describe this are never going to be enough, truly this kind of work needs to be experienced to be understood.

This course builds from the initial foundational work in developing, sharpening and refining the energetics of attention and relational intelligence covered in the course Fundamentals of Authentic Relating. The relational skills taught and practiced in this first course are now put to use in the exploration of this potent field between us. We start to turn our awareness of attentional energy towards revealing the mystery through this seemingly elusive and somewhat indescribable practice, and we take the growth of our relational intelligence a step further. 

Course Objectives

This course covers three distinct types of circling, each with a focus to reveal different parts of the mystery.

• Soul Circling
  • Attention on revealing another :: through the focused presence of a group we provide the spaciousness for a single person’s inner landscape to become the field of exploration
• Organic Circling
  • Attention on revealing the space between us :: collective attention is channelled into the field that resides within the circle, unearthing that which is the unique configuration and constellation of the participants in this present moment
• Meta Circling 
  • Attention on revealing collective insight :: our attention is turned towards exploring ideas and philosophy that may result in the furthering of individual and group wisdom

Course Breakdown

Session 1 :: Introduction to the Course

This session establishes the group container for the journey ahead, and takes the time to review the foundational skills presented in the prerequisite course Fundamentals of Authentic Relating

Session 2 :: Refining skills

Circling relies upon an interplay between the various relational skills, here we invest our efforts towards weaving these skills together into an increasingly fluid mastery of attention

Session 3 :: Introduction to Soul Circling

We establish a coherent narrative and the principles behind the practice of revealing the inner world of another. First round of Soul Circles will be held

Session 4 :: Soul Circling

A deeper dive into the practice of Soul Circling. Throughout the course each participant will have the opportunity to be at the centre of a circle, experiencing the compassionate and attuned presence of a groups focused attention

Session 5 :: Soul Circling Wrap-Up

Last round of Soul Circles and a review of the practice, allowing the space for learnings and discoveries to become part of our collective wisdom

Session 6 :: Introduction to Organic Circling

The principles and context of Organic Circling are developed as we then dive into our first round of Organic Circles and the emergent collective field between us

Session 7 :: Organic Circling

We continue to expand and develop the practice through several rounds of Organic Circles, debriefing and troubleshooting as we go

Session 8 :: Organic Circling Wrap-Up

Last round of Organic Circles and a review for the discoveries to settle into our group field

Session 9 :: Introduction to Meta-Circling

We lay out the framework for practicing Meta-Circling, inviting topics to be inquired into as we dive into practice

Session 10 :: Meta-Circling

Our collective wisdom is grounded through further practice, refining and growing as we go

Session 11 :: Meta-Circling Wrap-Up

The practice is reviewed and critically discussed. We explore the limitations and applications of this form of circling in furthering human knowledge and evolution

Session 12 :: Course Wrap-Up

Closing circle to harvest the learnings, insights and wisdom discovered throughout the course as we exit the container safely and smoothly

Course Inclusions and Expectations

• 12 x 2.5 hour online sessions using the Zoom platform
• Access to a community of like-minded participants eager to grow and learn, through social media group platforms
• 30-60 minutes practice ‘homework’ per week within the community
• Course manual
• This course is limited to 15 participants