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Drop-In Listening Circle [members only]
The SF Contemplarium is excited to partner with The Commons to offer drop-in Listening Circles for members only, a powerful way to honor your own and others’ experiences in community.
This event happens twice a month on second and fourth Sundays.
What it is
Drop-In Listening Circles are facilitated sessions where you can share whatever is on your heart and listen deeply to others with care and respect. We pass a talking bowl around the circle to give space for everyone’s voice.
How to drop in/out
You can drop in and out as needed, but before joining, please (1) read the posted process and expectations and (2) wait outside until the person currently speaking is done with their share and you see the bowl being passed. Please also wait between shares before dropping out.
Is there a topic?
The sharing prompt is: “What is an experience of joy or concern that is on your heart today?” In February, we happened to hold three topic-specific Listening Circles about gender dynamics at The Commons. In contrast, while the process is similar, there is no specific topic for this series of drop-in Listening Circles – share whatever experiences are on your heart, regardless of topic.
Purpose
The purpose of Listening Circles is to create structured space for you to honor the experiences on your heart by giving voice to them, and to honor the experiences that others share by receiving them with care and respect. The goal is not to problem-solve or have back-and-forth debate, but rather to join in the spirit of sharing, deep listening, and encountering the beautiful and surprising humanity in one another.
Process & Expectations
Basic Process
We sit in a circle where people take turns sharing as a bowl is passed around counterclockwise. There will be as many rounds as time permits.
Before the first round of sharing, we usually start an intro round and five minutes of journaling to gather our thoughts for the sharing: What is an experience of joy or concern that is on your heart today?
We may take general breaks or journaling breaks at the facilitator’s discretion.
When you have the bowl:
This is your time to share.
Share your own experience from the heart — you’re not here to persuade or lecture or change anyone else’s mind, you’re here to add your story alongside others’.
Taking some time for silence is perfectly okay.
Feel free to pass.
Try to keep to a couple minutes in your share — at the facilitator’s discretion we may tighten or loosen time constraints.
When you don’t have the bowl:
This is your time to simply listen.
Listen from the heart — you’re here to honor whatever story or experience is being shared. Even if you disagree, try to find the kernel of what you can see or understand in what is being shared.
No follow-up questions. If you have anything to say or ask, wait until you have the bowl.
Other expectations:
It’s okay to leave the circle at any time, no questions asked. Your presence is voluntary.
You are responsible for taking care of your own limits around what you can or can’t listen to – again, you can remove yourself at any time for any reason. Please take care of yourself as you need to.
The Commons Values and Community Agreements are especially in effect in this space.
Listening Circles are a program of the SF Contemplarium, a community institution creating space for honoring our human journey here in San Francisco, in partnership with The Commons.