Starting with the purpose and mission of the circle, alignment of values and expectations are crucial for trust and intimacy. Clear agreements that everyone can affirm are vital to the success of the circle..
As a foundation to conscious agreements, I think The Four Agreements described by don Miguel Ruiz provide a great place to build from. From my perspective, The Four Agreements should be a requirement for Life 101 and certainly a prerequisite for any collective endeavor. The Four Agreements provide the foundation to challenge the agreements of our social conditioning, and to establish new agreements for more conscious and connected relationships.
The Four Agreements
- Be impeccable with your word
- Don’t take anything personally
- Don’t make assumptions
- Always do your best
Built on The Four Agreements, additional agreements can be developed specific to the intention and needs of the circle. Basic foundational agreements include respect and honor, honest and compassionate communication, non-judgment and confidentiality. Some examples are as follows.
Heart Circles
Heart Circles are built on agreements related to Tej Steiners “Five Ways of Being” in his book Waking UP with everyone around us. The agreements are based on the themes of:
- Being clear together
- Being present together
- Being real together
- Being connected together
- Being heart-directed together
Additionally, with with the purpose to provide a safe place for sharing and support for each other’s life journey in healing, Healing Circles Global starts with these agreements:
- We treat each other with kindness and respect
- We listen with compassion and curiosity.
- We honor each other’s unique ways to healing and don’t presume to advise or fix or try to save each other.
- We hold all stories shared in the circle confidential.
- We trust each of us has guidance we need within us and we rely on the power of silence to access it.
Also see the Wisdom Circle Constants and CoCreators Agreements