Women's Circles
Creating Circles
By Deborah Koppel Mitchell
Jun 6, 2006, 11:13

Once all are settled in the Circle, the Facilitator “Calls the Circle,” using Tibetan bells (or other sounding tool) and may say something like, “This is the calling of the Circle.”  At this time they are all guided to relax and breathe deeply.  If they would like, they can envision “breathing in Love—and breathing out Appreciation”---

They continue to breathe deeply and can make the sound “chhhhaaaaaaaa,” as they exhale.  Soothing music (Suggested music: the “Migration” CD by Peter Katar & Carlos Nakai) may be played during this time.  When there has been the appropriate amount of time to simply breathe—the facilitator may guide the Circle in a soothing, gentle voice, saying something like the following, to create the “Circle Container”:  

“Place your hands gently on your knees facing up and out towards the women beside you.  As you continue to breathe deeply, you may envision a beautiful white Light of Love and Positive Energy streaming in through the top of your head and into your heart.  With each inhale, that Light becomes brighter and brighter until it begins to stream down your right arm and out your hand into the woman next to you.  As you continue to breathe—you may envision the Light streaming around the circle and up through your left hand and arm, and back into your heart--forming a solid ring of light, and the container of our Circle.  Here, you are in a safe space--the safest place on the planet at this time.  There is no judgment here. You are simply your pure essence of BEINGNESS.”

Then the Circle sits in silence for a few moments.  The facilitator uses her intuition as to when there has been enough time in silence, and invites everyone to open their eyes and bring themselves fully present into the space of the Circle.

At this time, A “Circle Ritual” may be created with each lighting a candle  (A Candle-Lighting Circle Ritual will be shared in an up-coming issue, or you may go to the Spheres Women’s Circles website: www.sphereswomenscircles.com to the “Circle Rituals” section for some examples.)  A candle lit and held by each participant gives a sense of completion to the creating of your sacred space and “Circle Container.”

Once “The Circle Container” has been set, it is time for sharing.
The following are a few of the Basic Circle Principles, shared in the last issue to keep in mind during the sharing time:

-Communicate and Speak From Your Heart- You may take a moment to pause before you speak, and even simply place your hands on your heart to bring your attention away from your mind to communicate from your heart.

-One person speaks at a time, with the full attention of all in the Circle.  This creates a sense of honor and safety for all participating.

-No Judgment of Your Self or Others- If a thought or “comment” comes to your mind, simply let it drop away and come from a loving and compassionate State-of-Being .

Enjoy giving your self and others the gift of sharing in the sacred space of the Circle, and at the same time know you are creating “Pockets of Peace” on the planet!

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Visit: www.sphereswomenscircles.com for fantastic Resources, inspiring articles, guidance, and to learn more about Spheres Circles magazine, Spheres Circle Salons and Events, and Services.

Spheres Circles Founder and Publisher, Deborah Koppel Mitchell
 is also available as a speaker and facilitator, and for interviews.
To contact Deborah and to be on the Spheres Circles announcement list,
call: (505) 988-1718 or e-mail: spherescircles@earthlink.net.  
Please call or e-mail if you’d like a complimentary copy of Spheres Circles Magazine.  Subscribers will receive the current Special 6 Year Anniversary, Health & Renewal Issue!

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