Mindfulness Listening Circle 2

What Makes a Mindfulness Listening Circle Different?

A Mindfulness Listening Circle is a Mindfulness practice meant to rewire the brain for more awareness and less judgment. The practice itself will last one hour and be available for an hour a week. Listen to your heart and body when deciding to attend. The facilitator will be available each week.

Mindfulness is awareness without judgment.

·         The awareness comes from our bodies. Our body never lies to us.

o   We get goosebumps when we are cold or when we experience awe.

o   When we are hurt, the body produces tears. However, we can also cry when we feel overwhelming joy.

o   When there is danger or perceived danger, our stomach gets hard and blocks and protects the heart center.

·         The judgment comes from the chattering inner voice that lies all the time.

o   It tells you that you are not important.

o   It tells you that you don’t belong.

o   It tells you that you can’t trust others so you judge them so they can't hurt you.

o   It comes from the ego that likes to think you are special and different.

The gift of Mindfulness is silence and space.

·         The silence between notes makes the melody.

·         The silent space in the seed planted in the darkness gives new life.

·         The space between stars causes them to shine brighter. 

·         The space in a room creates a feeling of peacefulness.

·         The space between plants in rows gives them room to grow.

·         The space in our day for a mindful walk, mindful meditation, mindful listening brings peace.

It is not a support group or a 12-step group.

·         There will be no check-in each week.

·         While it is not a grief group, currently, there is a great deal of loss to share, and if that is what is in your heart, do share it.

·         There is no feedback.

·         There is no cross-talk.

·         We allow space and silence. It is okay if silence creates discomfort at first.

·         Everybody has the answers they need in the silence of their heart and body. Giving each other the space to find them is a gift.

·         In silence, we focus on the energy we are experiencing in our bodies and the circle.

·         We listen to our bodies for cues, not our minds.

·         We take our turn to speak when we feel a cue to do so. And, we stop sharing when we feel we have said all we wish to say.

·         You are not obligated to come each week. However, the circle will be there for whoever is meant to be there.

After the practice is over, the video call circles can decide to continue chatting. However, when listening circles meet in person, they can continue to share in conversation. You will notice that with the rewiring of the brain, you will become better listeners and conversationalists. Researchers say it takes eight weeks for new neural pathways to show up in the brain scans. So in time, your brain will adjust and be more aware with less judgment. 

I See You

"I see you is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and powerful phrases of the movie Avatar.

I see you being deep inside you where your soul dwells.

I see you without judging you, without accusing you of welcoming everything.

I see you without expecting anything from you because my expectations and projections could damage you and mask your deep identity.

I see you in all your dimensions and rich in all your experiences.

I see you because I already know that you are a complete and perfect being.

I see you, it's my way of welcoming you unconditionally, and that's how I allow you to see yourself and welcome you just the way you are.

I see you!"---Geraldine Amelin