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The talking circle is a traditional way for
Native American people to solve problems. It is a very effective
way to remove barriers and to allow people to express themselves
with complete freedom. For this reason, it is becoming more and
more popular in mainstream society. The talking circle is making
its appearance in schools, corporate board rooms and team dressing
rooms around the world, for the simple reason that the technique
works very well. The symbolism of the circle, with no beginning
and with nobody in a position of prominence, serves to encourage
people to speak freely and honestly about things that are on their
minds.
HOW A TALKING CIRCLE WORKS
Everyone sits in a circle, generally with men
to the North and women to the South. The conductor of the circle
will generally sit in the East. A token, such as a feather or a
special talking stick, is passed clockwise around the circle. As
each person receives the token, they may speak for
as long as they wish, including addressing a topic brought up by
another in the circle. When they have finished, they pass the
token along. If someone does not wish to speak, they simply pass
the token. The token may go around several times; when everyone
has had the opportunity to speak as many times as they wish, the
conductor ends the circle.
TYPES OF TALKING CIRCLES
The most common type of circle is a simple sharing circle, where people just
share whatever they have to say. There is no particular purpose or
theme, and many fascinating side-trips often happen. The
sharing circle is also an excellent introduction to ceremonies,
and is a great learning tool for those who are just discovering
traditional Aboriginal ways. We frequently incorporate such
circles in our gatherings, and find that the circles generate a
feeling of harmony and kinship in those who participate.
Another common circle, and perhaps the most
powerful, is the healing circle. This is generally guided by the
conductor, and will be convened to deal with issues that are
bothering people. These issues may be specific, or the circle may
be called to simply allow everyone to get any problems off their
chests. Very often, a simple chance to have a voice, and to have a
problem heard in a sympathetic and supportive environment, is all
that a person requires for healing. In addition, sharing amongst a
group allows everyone to take a piece of the burden from the
person with the problem, who then leaves the circle with a lighter
load. However, since the problem does not belong to the other
participants, they are able to lay down the piece of the burden
they accepted and walk away without having increased their own
loads.
Another type of circle is used to mediate
problems between people, either individuals or groups. Again, very
often all that is required for a solution to such problems is the
opportunity to hear and speak in complete honesty, so that both
sides of the problem become aware of the impact of the problem on
the other party. In these circles, the conductor guides the
participants toward finding their own equitable solution to their
problem, since a solution that is created by the participants is
the most likely to work over the long term.
GUIDELINES
There are a few very simple guidelines that
allow a talking circle to function:
1) Only one person speaks at a time -
only the person holding the feather or talking stick may speak.
Dialogues are not part of the circle, as they can become
confrontational.
2) Introduce yourself - it is polite
to introduce yourself in the first round. Use your spirit name, if you have one;
otherwise, use your given name.
3) Speak from the heart - the speaker
should address the circle from the heart, and may speak for as
long as they need to, with respect for the time of others.
4) Listen with respect - all people
except the speaker listen attentively and give support to the
speaker. Listening with the heart allows you to hear the true
intent beneath what the speaker is saying. Listen in the way you
expect others to hear you.
5) What is said in the circle stays in
the circle - never repeat anything that is said within the
circle, unless you have the permission of the speaker.
When convening a circle, smudging the
participants with sage will help dispel any negativity they may be
carrying with them. In a way, it's like 'wiping' your spiritual 'feet' before entering the circle. As well, keeping a sage smudge
burning during the circle, particularly when emotions are intense,
will help keep negativity from entering. |
