The Spirit of Community Building

“Talking circles have been around for many years. They have been an integral aspect of native cultures and societies however, they have also developed over the years, continuing to be held in modern communities. 
My own experience with talking circles seemed to occur without intention. Usually the circles included people with similar interests; predominantly spiritual. The objective was that each person had an opportunity to speak while the others in the circle listened. What drew each person to be a part of the circle was sometimes similar yet each group was unique. Within each person’s life experiences were many stories and within those stories were diamonds of wisdom. Yet whether those stories were shared, the wisdom received or heard wasn’t guaranteed. The power of silence in all situations was pertinent and over the years this grew inside of me too. It was a relief to sit in an expansive space that was not forced, uncomfortable or without the need to fill the the moment with unnecessary verbiage.

During my informal interview with Rusty Baldeagle, I feel very inspired. I al​so feel deeply connected. There are pertinent experiences he mentions that I strongly relate to. When he mentions the spirit felt between people - I feel it, and the space of emptiness. His words hold a gentle, present wisdom and grace. 
Having experienced a community building circle held by the Foundation for Community Encouragement, there are subtle differences as well as a likeness to other gatherings. The differences for me were the diversity and letting go of the need to fix, convert and heal others. 

After two days I felt cleansed and saw the powerful affect it had had. It can be confronting, raising fear and many emotions; it can sometimes be the first time someone has truly been heard. It provides a sacred container where people have the opportunity to let go of energy, speak about the things they’ve been avoiding or just not wanting to talk about, to reach out to others, learn to listen, include others, let go of control, surrender, unedit the self and trust in the Mystery.

I love the rawness.

For me when the space between people reaches a place where there is no more urgency to speak or fill the emptiness with something, where people are being held and a place of acceptance and grace is entered, where the space is electric with a quiet beauty, and perhaps no one remembers how we got there... that is the moment. It’s something that cannot be explained and no one is attempting to. 

I sometimes feel a profound relief, sometimes bliss, sometimes deep emotion. Yet I always feel connected. This connectedness is within me, within everyone and everything.” 

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~ by Laura Naomi
Lauranaomilight on Blogger