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The Way of Council

"Listening is such a simple act. It requires us to be present, and that takes practice, but we don't have to do anything else. We don't have to advise, or coach or sound wise. We just have to sit there and listen. If we can do that, we create moments when great healing is available." 
​Meg Wheatley 

What is the Way of Council? 

The Way of Council is based on ancient principles of listening;  we sit in a circle, pass a talking piece and create a sacred space for what needs to be witnessed. It is a practice that can spread into other parts of our lives if we give ourselves space and time. 
​The principles 
- speak from the heart
-listen from the heart
- be lean with words
-be spontaneous 

​By being fully present in this way, we can hear others - and ourselves - more fully. Everything can be present, all can be heard. Sometimes what is most shocking is not hearing others, it is hearing ourselves.
What this can lead to, in our experience, is a space to be with the wholeness of life, as the dark and light parts are equally welcomed. The edges are often the most fertile areas to bring, as they are often not allowed to be heard in everyday conversations. Most often people are surprised at what it is like to be fully heard, and to fully hear others, with no need to fix or placate or make better. 
​

And, Council is more than words. So, we often use movement, sound or other ways to share experiences together. 

I honour the teachers who have so profoundly shared this way with me and so many others. Pip Bondy from Ancient Healing Ways, Meredith Little (and others) from the School of Lost Borders and Jeremy Thres from Regenco and Joe Provisor from Circle Ways. 

"If we never find ourselves in spaces of unconstrained openness, we might not even know what we really think, hiding truths even from ourselves."
Samuel Alexander
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Previous Events

If you would like to know more about future open events then please contact us. Co-led by Jane Embleton and Jenny Archard. 
 
[email protected]

Overnight Campfire Councils, June, August and September 2023 in the Woods at Young Wood, near Taunton

​These sessions were a great deeper step into Council, and introduction to Council with nature. 

​Evening Campfire Councils Woods, Young Wood, near Taunton.  

​A glorious face to face session by the campfire.  A chance to listen, sit, speak and to invite in the 'other' - we are often joined by the land, the trees or some other being. 


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  • Home
  • Vision Fast
  • Seasonal Ritual
  • The Wild Hearth
  • One-to-one
  • Facilitation
  • Journey Days
  • Way of Council
  • People
  • Links
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Cancellations, Refunds & Privacy Policy