Everything in the natural world moves in a circle -- day and night, the roll of seasons we see in plants and animals, our breath, the passages of life and death, the circle of the earth around the sun, the ebb and flow of moon time and tides, the swirling constellations.
The Circle
The circle is an ancient and enduring symbol. It represents and is the natural process of life, growth, change and transition; it offers ways of feeling, thinking, assessing and organizing behavior.
The Circle is an ancient way of communicating so that all voices are heard. You'll often see a version of the same symbol used as a centerpiece. Honor and acceptance for the diversity of life and belief amongst us is expressed by the universal symbol of the earth circle which is also called the Medicine Wheel. I sewed a collage from cloth to make a Medicine Wheel blanket which I use as the centerpiece when I'm helping set up a Circles. All people are honored and welcome in the Circle: children, elders, veterans, people of all gifts and abilities, gender orientations, nations, ethnic and ancestral origins, colors, creeds, economic circumstances, agnostics, atheists, people of all faith or spiritual pathways. The sacred hoop is mended when all voices are heard and honored in the Circle.
The Circle Process
The Circle Process is an ancient Native process where a group of two or more people sit down together to share stories, learn together, resolve conflict, combine their wisdom to explore a situation, exchange information or decide on appropriate restitution to right a wrong. The Circle process is used in many community and national settings like schools, shelters, businesses, faith groups, and court systems.
The Circle Process, sometimes framed as part of a larger set of national and international practices called "restorative practices," helps people involved in a situation see opportunities, challenges and consequences more clearly and seeks to restore balance to the person, group or community. In some situations restoring balance also involves making restitution and-or accepting punishment as consequences.
Other Names for the Circle Process
Other names for the Circle Process are "Peacemaking Circles," "Talking Circle,", "doing Circles," "restorative practices" to name a few. Circles associated with the justice system are often called Conferencing Circles and Sentencing Circles.
The Circle Process calls together a circle of individuals who become "the Circle" and the principles used in that Circle have been handed down by tribal societies who have used them without pause for hundreds of years.
By applying the principles of the Circle Process to a complex situation, "the Circle" (the individuals who make up that Circle) can bring powerful awareness and new insights to the way situations, thoughts, feelings and decisions are described and experienced. This is turn leads to innovative and thoughtful solutions. Circles can be life-altering and powerful for the participants.They don't have to be: a story-telling can be a fun and light-hearted affair. Conferencing and Sentencing Circles can be extremely powerful and healing for victims, offenders, relatives and the community.
On an individual and community level "doing Circles" can lead to healthier, more fulfilled and creative individuals, and more loving families and stronger communities.
In Creativity Coaching
I use the principles of the Circle Process in my creativity coaching practice because it helps clients maintain towards themselves and their creative work a attitude that is non-judgmental, open and kind, and very resourceful. It generates more opportunities for creative thinking, insights, energy and hope because it promotes new ways of thinking. No matter what comes up in a client's creative life the Circle Process offers ways to grow and deepen their creative dreams and goals if that's what they want.
For these reasons the Circle can be a touchstone for the creative process.
"Doing a Circle" in your Community
Below you'll find a list of Circle Keepers and speakers. I am a speaker and facilitator for Circles. I can also provide hands-on workshops that explain and demonstrate the Circle Process for workshops, schools, congregations and other faith-based groups or other community groups.
When I "do Circles" I follow the practice and principles taught to me by Native American Elders and mentors and by other teachers who were themselves taught by Native American Elders.
Storytelling Circles
I can help you arrange and publicize a Storytelling Circle for your group. I love to facilitate (lead) Storytelling Circles. A Community Circle I started was called "Everything Has A Spirit." Topics for story circles help people think of a story to share. Topics can anything, the circle can choose one they want or you can suggest one, like: who most inspired you when you were a child or youth? what is the strangest thing that ever happened to you? have you ever had a spiritual experience? what kinds of things make someone seem really different from you? what do you want to be when you grow up? what kinds of characteristics might describe a person who is beautiful inside? what do you think might be the kindest thing you've ever done?
More about the Circle process
The Circle is an ancient way of communicating so that all voices are heard. You'll often see a version of the same symbol used as a centerpiece. Honor and acceptance for the diversity of life and belief amongst us is expressed by the universal symbol of the earth circle which is also called the Medicine Wheel. I use this myself in Circles I lead. All people are honored and welcome in the Circle: children, elders, veterans, people of all gifts and abilities, gender orientations, nations, ethnic and ancestral origins, colors, creeds, economic circumstances, agnostics, atheists, people of all faith or spiritual pathways. The sacred hoop is mended when all voices are heard and honored in the Circle.
The Circle as a Worldview
Everything that is, is connected to everything that is. We are all related. The Circle process draws on the rich learning, wisdom and heritage of tribes and cultures of Native America, from shared tribal values and the philosophy of a native cultural worldview. [Note: I'm aware that many people object to being called "Indian" and "Native American" since there are no tribes by those names. I use "Native American cultures" to describe the many separate and distinct Tribes and Nations of Turtle Island who passed the teachings of the Circle to us today in this world. I realize that "Indian" and "Native American" are names used for non-existent groups of people who belong to specific clans, tribes and nations.]
Learning and teaching
Language can be a bond or a barrier. Talking about native and non-native cultures is stressful and complicated for lots of people including me. At this point in my life I accept and believe every human being is a native person. This heartfelt foundation where I stand spills out of my belief that we are all children of Mother Earth. We must help our children learn how to live together in peace. The Circle process can facilitate that in every area of our lives, from neighborhood Circles to schools, places of worship and our justice systems: by promoting peace, healing, restitution, justice and safety on a physical, mental, emotional and spirit level. One person, one family, one school, one community, one victim, one felon, one change at a time.
To hold a native worldview is a holistic way of being, living and thinking. Instead of talking about native culture we can learn by "being" and "doing" and "doing a Circle" is a powerful and safe way to experience the native worldview in a hands-on way. In the native worldview we learn together by doing and being. Learning and teaching are achieved by watching, listening and doing. By absorbing material this way, on four levels, a human being learns on a physical, mental, emotional and spirit level. Stories are stronger than lectures. Stories teach in a holistic way, appealing to the four levels of body, mind, emotion and spirit - a human "being." Teaching by showing along with storytelling and hands-on participation reaches those four levels of body, mind, emotion and spirit. "Being" is an action word and "learn" is an action word as well.
How the Circle Process helps us
You can help change the world for the benefit of civilization by learning about the Circle Process and bringing it into your communities, schools and colleges. You can do this through your faith group, employee, city or state groups. You can bring in a Circle Keeper or someone else to facilitate or learn to lead Circles yourself. Below you'll find a list of people and resources (see Where To Learn More).
The Circle, as a way of connecting with others, is as natural to us as breathing. Many of us have forgotten for the moment how and where to start the Circle process but once we begin to sit in the Circle again many of us know and recognize it as easily as we know our own face. It's a natural way of coming together and we all have stored memories of our tribal ancestors sitting in the Circle. The Circle is not structured to accommodate linear or "Western" thinking but the Circle Process is strong - it can withstand being adapted to fit Western-based school settings, justice systems, communities and organizations. On native time the Circle isn't run by the clock but this is a stretch for groups who do not or cannot practice the native worldview in their community or organization because of time or other restrictions.
That's not to say sitting in Circle is always easy. While storytelling Circles can be relaxed and fun, the Circle process is used in many cities and countries in the world today as a strong place to explore complex and difficult situations. From bullying in school settings to domestic violence and other violent crimes, Circles are used to facilitate healing, restitution, justice and safety. International Peacekeeping Circles are used around the world to open dialogue in difficult places and promote peace, healing, restitution, justice and safety.
The Circle process is stronger than the people sitting in the Circle but the Circle can only manifest what the people are willing to imagine and create.
Mediation is not the same as the Circle process
Sometimes mediation is mentioned interchangeably with the Circle process. There may be important differences so know what you're participating in. In the Circle process all parties are invited and welcome to take an active role in the process, even if they remain silent they are actively participating. In the Circle process everyone is a stakeholder in the outcome. In some situations, like a school setting or a Sentencing Circles, there may be elements required by law but, aside from that, the Circle process involves everyone present and everyone gets to share, talk and ask questions. Mediation on the other hand may have a mediator who makes the final decision after the parties involved tell their side of the story; a mediator is sometimes required to remain neutral (for example, when court systems refer a case to mediation, as opposed referring the matter to a Circle) and a neutral mediator cannot speak for the benefit of anyone involved even if it's clear the parties are not involved aren't sharing power equally. Whatever the mediating parties agree to, the mediator is there to repeat the agreement, clarify the terms and write it up. In the Circle process each person is free and even encouraged to speak up on behalf of anyone or any aspect of the matter being discussed during their time to speak.
Where to learn more
People
• Pamela Yates
• Jamie Williams and Oscar Reed (at The Restorative Way
• Kay Longtin and Mark LaPointe
• Trainers listed with Minnesota Restorative Services Coalition (MRSC)
Everyone who leads Circles does it a bit differently. "Doing" Circles is sacred and personal and we find our own way to open, close and structure the Circle. There are basic guidelines but there are also different Circle processes in different settings, for example, school setting (minors), judicial system (Sentencing Circle), storytelling (Community Circle), disputes (Peacemaking Circle). The Circle is called different names as well. If you decide to hold a Circle in your community it's OK to ask the Circle Keeper or Leader to describe the process they intend to use.
Places locally - also a source of books and CDs
• Minnesota Restorative Services Coalition (MRSC)
• The Wakanheza Project - lending a hand to children and families
• Living Justice Press: A nonprofit publisher for restorative justice
• Dispute Resolution Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
• Books about the Circle way of thinking
• Returning to the Teachings by Rupert Ross
• Look To The Mountain: An Ecology of Indigenous Education by Gregory Cajete, Ph.D.
• To Become a Human Being, The Message of Tadodaho Chief Leon Shenandoah by Steve Wall
• No Word For Time, The Way of the Algonquin People by Evan T. Pritchard.
• The Lakota Way - Stories and Lessons for Living: Native American Wisdom on Ethics and Character by Joseph M. Marshall III
TAGOS Borrowed This Information from: http://www.circlepathways.com/aboutcircles.html
Everything in the natural world moves in a circle -- day and night, the roll of seasons we see in plants and animals, our breath, the passages of life and death, the circle of the earth around the sun, the ebb and flow of moon time and tides, the swirling constellations.
The Circle
The circle is an ancient and enduring symbol. It represents and is the natural process of life, growth, change and transition; it offers ways of feeling, thinking, assessing and organizing behavior.
The Circle is an ancient way of communicating so that all voices are heard. You'll often see a version of the same symbol used as a centerpiece. Honor and acceptance for the diversity of life and belief amongst us is expressed by the universal symbol of the earth circle which is also called the Medicine Wheel. I sewed a collage from cloth to make a Medicine Wheel blanket which I use as the centerpiece when I'm helping set up a Circles. All people are honored and welcome in the Circle: children, elders, veterans, people of all gifts and abilities, gender orientations, nations, ethnic and ancestral origins, colors, creeds, economic circumstances, agnostics, atheists, people of all faith or spiritual pathways. The sacred hoop is mended when all voices are heard and honored in the Circle.
The Circle Process
The Circle Process is an ancient Native process where a group of two or more people sit down together to share stories, learn together, resolve conflict, combine their wisdom to explore a situation, exchange information or decide on appropriate restitution to right a wrong. The Circle process is used in many community and national settings like schools, shelters, businesses, faith groups, and court systems.
The Circle Process, sometimes framed as part of a larger set of national and international practices called "restorative practices," helps people involved in a situation see opportunities, challenges and consequences more clearly and seeks to restore balance to the person, group or community. In some situations restoring balance also involves making restitution and-or accepting punishment as consequences.
Other Names for the Circle Process
Other names for the Circle Process are "Peacemaking Circles," "Talking Circle,", "doing Circles," "restorative practices" to name a few. Circles associated with the justice system are often called Conferencing Circles and Sentencing Circles.
The Circle Process calls together a circle of individuals who become "the Circle" and the principles used in that Circle have been handed down by tribal societies who have used them without pause for hundreds of years.
By applying the principles of the Circle Process to a complex situation, "the Circle" (the individuals who make up that Circle) can bring powerful awareness and new insights to the way situations, thoughts, feelings and decisions are described and experienced. This is turn leads to innovative and thoughtful solutions. Circles can be life-altering and powerful for the participants.They don't have to be: a story-telling can be a fun and light-hearted affair. Conferencing and Sentencing Circles can be extremely powerful and healing for victims, offenders, relatives and the community.
On an individual and community level "doing Circles" can lead to healthier, more fulfilled and creative individuals, and more loving families and stronger communities.
In Creativity Coaching
I use the principles of the Circle Process in my creativity coaching practice because it helps clients maintain towards themselves and their creative work a attitude that is non-judgmental, open and kind, and very resourceful. It generates more opportunities for creative thinking, insights, energy and hope because it promotes new ways of thinking. No matter what comes up in a client's creative life the Circle Process offers ways to grow and deepen their creative dreams and goals if that's what they want.
For these reasons the Circle can be a touchstone for the creative process.
"Doing a Circle" in your Community
Below you'll find a list of Circle Keepers and speakers. I am a speaker and facilitator for Circles. I can also provide hands-on workshops that explain and demonstrate the Circle Process for workshops, schools, congregations and other faith-based groups or other community groups.
When I "do Circles" I follow the practice and principles taught to me by Native American Elders and mentors and by other teachers who were themselves taught by Native American Elders.
Storytelling Circles
I can help you arrange and publicize a Storytelling Circle for your group. I love to facilitate (lead) Storytelling Circles. A Community Circle I started was called "Everything Has A Spirit." Topics for story circles help people think of a story to share. Topics can anything, the circle can choose one they want or you can suggest one, like: who most inspired you when you were a child or youth? what is the strangest thing that ever happened to you? have you ever had a spiritual experience? what kinds of things make someone seem really different from you? what do you want to be when you grow up? what kinds of characteristics might describe a person who is beautiful inside? what do you think might be the kindest thing you've ever done?
More about the Circle process
The Circle is an ancient way of communicating so that all voices are heard. You'll often see a version of the same symbol used as a centerpiece. Honor and acceptance for the diversity of life and belief amongst us is expressed by the universal symbol of the earth circle which is also called the Medicine Wheel. I use this myself in Circles I lead. All people are honored and welcome in the Circle: children, elders, veterans, people of all gifts and abilities, gender orientations, nations, ethnic and ancestral origins, colors, creeds, economic circumstances, agnostics, atheists, people of all faith or spiritual pathways. The sacred hoop is mended when all voices are heard and honored in the Circle.
The Circle as a Worldview
Everything that is, is connected to everything that is. We are all related. The Circle process draws on the rich learning, wisdom and heritage of tribes and cultures of Native America, from shared tribal values and the philosophy of a native cultural worldview. [Note: I'm aware that many people object to being called "Indian" and "Native American" since there are no tribes by those names. I use "Native American cultures" to describe the many separate and distinct Tribes and Nations of Turtle Island who passed the teachings of the Circle to us today in this world. I realize that "Indian" and "Native American" are names used for non-existent groups of people who belong to specific clans, tribes and nations.]
Learning and teaching
Language can be a bond or a barrier. Talking about native and non-native cultures is stressful and complicated for lots of people including me. At this point in my life I accept and believe every human being is a native person. This heartfelt foundation where I stand spills out of my belief that we are all children of Mother Earth. We must help our children learn how to live together in peace. The Circle process can facilitate that in every area of our lives, from neighborhood Circles to schools, places of worship and our justice systems: by promoting peace, healing, restitution, justice and safety on a physical, mental, emotional and spirit level. One person, one family, one school, one community, one victim, one felon, one change at a time.
To hold a native worldview is a holistic way of being, living and thinking. Instead of talking about native culture we can learn by "being" and "doing" and "doing a Circle" is a powerful and safe way to experience the native worldview in a hands-on way. In the native worldview we learn together by doing and being. Learning and teaching are achieved by watching, listening and doing. By absorbing material this way, on four levels, a human being learns on a physical, mental, emotional and spirit level. Stories are stronger than lectures. Stories teach in a holistic way, appealing to the four levels of body, mind, emotion and spirit - a human "being." Teaching by showing along with storytelling and hands-on participation reaches those four levels of body, mind, emotion and spirit. "Being" is an action word and "learn" is an action word as well.
How the Circle Process helps us
You can help change the world for the benefit of civilization by learning about the Circle Process and bringing it into your communities, schools and colleges. You can do this through your faith group, employee, city or state groups. You can bring in a Circle Keeper or someone else to facilitate or learn to lead Circles yourself. Below you'll find a list of people and resources (see Where To Learn More).
The Circle, as a way of connecting with others, is as natural to us as breathing. Many of us have forgotten for the moment how and where to start the Circle process but once we begin to sit in the Circle again many of us know and recognize it as easily as we know our own face. It's a natural way of coming together and we all have stored memories of our tribal ancestors sitting in the Circle. The Circle is not structured to accommodate linear or "Western" thinking but the Circle Process is strong - it can withstand being adapted to fit Western-based school settings, justice systems, communities and organizations. On native time the Circle isn't run by the clock but this is a stretch for groups who do not or cannot practice the native worldview in their community or organization because of time or other restrictions.
That's not to say sitting in Circle is always easy. While storytelling Circles can be relaxed and fun, the Circle process is used in many cities and countries in the world today as a strong place to explore complex and difficult situations. From bullying in school settings to domestic violence and other violent crimes, Circles are used to facilitate healing, restitution, justice and safety. International Peacekeeping Circles are used around the world to open dialogue in difficult places and promote peace, healing, restitution, justice and safety.
The Circle process is stronger than the people sitting in the Circle but the Circle can only manifest what the people are willing to imagine and create.
Mediation is not the same as the Circle process
Sometimes mediation is mentioned interchangeably with the Circle process. There may be important differences so know what you're participating in. In the Circle process all parties are invited and welcome to take an active role in the process, even if they remain silent they are actively participating. In the Circle process everyone is a stakeholder in the outcome. In some situations, like a school setting or a Sentencing Circles, there may be elements required by law but, aside from that, the Circle process involves everyone present and everyone gets to share, talk and ask questions. Mediation on the other hand may have a mediator who makes the final decision after the parties involved tell their side of the story; a mediator is sometimes required to remain neutral (for example, when court systems refer a case to mediation, as opposed referring the matter to a Circle) and a neutral mediator cannot speak for the benefit of anyone involved even if it's clear the parties are not involved aren't sharing power equally. Whatever the mediating parties agree to, the mediator is there to repeat the agreement, clarify the terms and write it up. In the Circle process each person is free and even encouraged to speak up on behalf of anyone or any aspect of the matter being discussed during their time to speak.
Where to learn more
People
• Pamela Yates
• Jamie Williams and Oscar Reed (at The Restorative Way
• Kay Longtin and Mark LaPointe
• Trainers listed with Minnesota Restorative Services Coalition (MRSC)
Everyone who leads Circles does it a bit differently. "Doing" Circles is sacred and personal and we find our own way to open, close and structure the Circle. There are basic guidelines but there are also different Circle processes in different settings, for example, school setting (minors), judicial system (Sentencing Circle), storytelling (Community Circle), disputes (Peacemaking Circle). The Circle is called different names as well. If you decide to hold a Circle in your community it's OK to ask the Circle Keeper or Leader to describe the process they intend to use.
Places locally - also a source of books and CDs
• Minnesota Restorative Services Coalition (MRSC)
• The Wakanheza Project - lending a hand to children and families
• Living Justice Press: A nonprofit publisher for restorative justice
• Dispute Resolution Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
• Books about the Circle way of thinking
• Returning to the Teachings by Rupert Ross
• Look To The Mountain: An Ecology of Indigenous Education by Gregory Cajete, Ph.D.
• To Become a Human Being, The Message of Tadodaho Chief Leon Shenandoah by Steve Wall
• No Word For Time, The Way of the Algonquin People by Evan T. Pritchard.
• The Lakota Way - Stories and Lessons for Living: Native American Wisdom on Ethics and Character by Joseph M. Marshall III
TAGOS Borrowed This Information from: http://www.circlepathways.com/aboutcircles.html