Love-Based Living in ActionFebruary 2012 Opalyn: For nearly three years now we have been gathering together about once a month to do a Love-Based Living Circle. It is a time we set aside to put into practice the things we talk about in the Declaration of Interdependence. I thought I would start out describing the general flow of a love-based living circle before talking about a recent circle. We open up space in the Kitchen by moving tables out of the way and assembling the chairs into a circle. A small table for the center is filled with talking objects. These are a collection of items that a person would select and hold while they are talking to allow each person the time to share without interruption.
Each circle starts out with a time of quiet to allow our brains to transition from where-ever we have been into this quieter, more introspective space. Then a question: something to get us thinking and talking about ourselves, a question that brings each individual into the circle sharing from the I or me. Next, after most have shared, a weaving question: something along the lines of "what touched you" and a time to ask for more information or to reflect and comment. Then we focus on the "take home:" what or how do I want to take what I have learned about myself and others into everyday life? For this particular circle, Karen asked for candles and as the space was being prepared, I lit one candle for each person present, seven in all. Tonight's first section consisted of these questions: What are typical features of the transition to winter for you? What is coming up for you this year specifically? As the circle progressed and we each shared our responses to these questions, comments revolved around how life is different being away from bio-family.
As time came for the second section, Karen asked each of us to claim a common or personal pitfall of relationship communication and name our candle. The following is a list of the candles that were presented:
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