Dialogue Circle Basics

Beginning on January 12, 2010; Gaia Rising will host monthly dialogue circles on the second Tuesday of every month. The conference line will allow up to 96 separate callers and even with half that many we must all be aware of some guidelines and ground rules in order to keep the process as smooth and fluid as possible.

Ground Rules and Pointers

1. Join the call a few minutes early so that we can begin promptly.
2. Call in from a phone which has mute capability, if at all possible, and keep yourself muted except when it is your turn to speak.
3. Bring a pencil and paper so that you can keep track of when it will be your turn to speak.
4. Honor all beliefs and values and speak only in love and trust. Seek not to prove or disprove, seek only to hear and be heard.
5. Only speak when it is your turn. Be patient and trust that you will be heard when the time is right.
6. With the exception of the 2 minute check-in at the beginning of each call, take as much time as you need to say what you need to say, but also be mindful of others and as concise as possible.

The Process For Our Dialogue Circle:

1. Tree will begin by asking for first names which begin with the letter A, B, and so on. When your letter is called speak only your first name (or nick-name, it's your preference).
2. After gathering all the names Tree will read back the alphabetized list in order to establish the seating arrangement for the virtual circle. Please write down the several names before yours so that you'll be aware of when it is about to be your turn to speak.
3. Tree will then make opening remarks and the first trip around the circle will begin.
4. The first round is a 2 minute check-in. During your 2 minutes we'd like you to share your name, your geographic location, how you are feeling (mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and/or physically), and whether you enter the circle in the spirit of RELEASE, ACCEPTANCE, or INVITATION. You may take less than 2 minutes, but please do not pass on this round.
5. When the last person has checked in, Tree will pose a question for the next round. Everyone will have the opportunity to either speak or pass.
6. Depending on how many participants are present, there may only be one round before check-outs.
7. Each participant will have up to 2 minutes to check out by sharing their name and any brief sentiment they choose to share.

Watch for subsequent blog posts which will offer additional information about the theory and practice of dialogue.