Structure

Each gathering is 100% adaptable, but here is a typical structure:

Arrival and Grounding

A gentle opening where participants land in the space, and do a short grounding. This could include:

• Taking a few slow deep breaths
• A small mindfulness exercise
• Holding hands in a circle

Brief Review of the Principles and Structure

The facilitator explains the principles that guide the gathering, and then the meeting’s structure. This is the time to ask questions and clarify any doubts. Participants may also propose modificaitons to the principles and the structure.

Setting Intentions

Participants share what they want to experience this time, by answering these questions:

• What does “connection” mean for me at this moment?
• What to I need to feel comfortable to be my real self in this group?
• What would I like to feel during this event?
• What benefits do I hope to gain from this event?

Choosing an activity

There is a rich menu of possible activities. We have several printed lists in front of us to remind us of the possibilities.

When we want to start a new activity, usually we vote on it: Each participant places three tokens on their preferred activities. The activity that got the most tokens is chosen. If there are ties, they are resolved in the next step.

However, in some rounds, the meeting facilitator decides on the next activity based on his or her intuition and feel of the group. In particular, to either:

• Increase harmony and the comfort level for everyone, or:
• Gently challenge the group to some activity at the edge of their comfort zone (see the principle: “Gentle Exploration of the Edge of Our Comfort Zone”).

Reflecting and refining the activity

• After choosing an activity, we do NOT immediately start doing it.
• Instead, we take a moment and reflect on the activity, with awareness and consciousness, so that each person can see what they feel about the activity and whether they want to participate or just sit on the side and watch.
• Participation is always voluntary. There is never any requirement or expectation for you to participate, it’s perfectly legitimate to choose not to.
• Participants can also suggest variations on the activity, to make them more effective and tailor them to the group and the current situation.

Doing the activity

We do the activity (whoever wants to). We do it together, with deliberate intention and awareness to how we feel.

Some activities are done with the entire group interacting together. Others are done in small groups, but after going it, everyone returns to the larger group to talk about it.

Sharing feelings and drawing conclusions

When the activity is over, we take a moment to share, reflect, and analyze how it went. We are curious to check whether the activity really made us feel more connected or improved how we feel. We ask:

• How did you feel doing the experience?
• How do you feel now?
• What stood out or felt meaningful?
• What do you take with you?

We draw conclusions which we can apply in the next iteration. Sometimes we realize we need a slight modification of the activity to make it more effective.