Fundamentals
It’s recommended to read this aloud before any Heart Circle
- This is a safe space to speak and share whatever you wish.
- A talisman will be passed around the circle – only the individual holding the talisman should be speaking.
- When speaking, use “I” statements, and talk loudly.
- When not speaking: this is a space for active listening without judgment.
- You are welcome to take breaks, move your body, put in headphones for personal music, or (quietly) use fidget toys.
- What’s spoken here, stays here.
- If you want to talk to someone about their Heart Circle share, seek consent to discuss the topic with them.
- When the talisman gets back to the facilitator they’ll announce the time, and we’ll take a short break.
- We use a timer to remind speakers when 5 minutes has passed. Don’t worry about going over a little, but please don’t go over by a lot.
- For the first round we invite you to share your name, pronoun, and a check-in.
Additional Guidance
- You’re invited to stay in Heart Circle as long as you’d like.
- The talisman will go around multiple times.
- We love to say, “I invite y’all to take a breath with me.”
- We have soft music playing to help those who audio-stim.
- If you would like silence when you’re speaking, please ask to have the music paused.
- Please mute your phones.
- Please: no phone use in Heart Circle.
- When leaving Heart Circle please exit quietly, between speakers.