Empathic Listening Circles
This page is for developing Empathic Listening Circles.

The
goal is to develop a 'form' or process for empathic listening in small
groups online using video conferencing software like Skype or in-person
meetings. I already do this listening process with various people and
groups that I work with online. The overall goal of the groups is to build a culture of
empathy. It's to create the empathic lifestyle or way of being in
the world.
To build a culture of empathy, we need to fill ourselves with empathy so that we have it
to give. When we ourselves have not felt heard or listened to,
it's difficult to be present, hear and listen to others. We need to have
some format for creating an environment where we are each heard. A place
were we each have a chance to speak about what is important to us. To
have others empathize with our deeper feelings and for ourselves to be
there to empathize with them.
Ideas
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People feel better once they have been heard
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Have the vision to Build a Culture of Empathy and these
circles are for supporting that vision.
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Action - there's needs to be an empathic action
component. People are heard but they do something
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be heard about how you are doing with deepening your
empathic connection with yourself and others.
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how to create the culture of empathy?
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What are actual problems and experiences you are
coming across and share those.
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How to structure the meetings so that there's a step of
going out into the world and actualizing empathy? When each person comes
back to the meeting they can report on their experience with spreading
empathy.
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Need an outline and training video for how the groups
work.
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reflective listening - on what was heard
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rephrasing - what was heard
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reframing - what was heard
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summarizing - what was heard
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For the NVC based groups they add 'needs' (values)
guessing
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What are prerequisites for attending group?
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What is length of a meeting?
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What is best number of people? 5 max on Skype I
would think.
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What are peoples stories of taking part in a group like
this?
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My story about taking a workshop with
Dominic Barter and then having the deep empathy to take into my dance.
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my story of the NVC fun Fest and empathy
circle.
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using shared Google doc for documenting
the conversation.
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The question? How can we build a
culture of empathy?
Notes:
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Confidentiality check
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Call experience
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Sample Call recording
Existing Groups
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NVC does these groups
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Compassionate Listening Process - Practice Groups
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Darci would like to develop process
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Empathy Curriculum Team would like to develop process
Outline of Listening Groups
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Check-in: (How are you right now in relation to deepen
empathy in the world?)
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Empathy
for those who request it
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Debriefing session - how did the session go
Other Links and Resources
T-group
Carl Rogers has reportedly described the T-group as "the most
significant social invention of the century".
Empathic
Listening Circles zlmc.org
Empathic listening circles use a very simple form of feedback that is
used in Focusing and Non-violent Communication. We will teach you this
and then help you practice and apply it through various kinds of role
plays and experiential exercises in the Empathic Listening Circles.
Empathy Circle cnvc.org
The Empathy Circle is not a training, but rather an occasion to
experience Presence, synergised with that of others. The content of the
Circle is not structured; it emerges from an inner movement within the
people in the Circle. This movement takes root in a profound
self-connection and connection to others. This allows for self-inquiry
from a space of stillness, a devotion to the life within ourselves. The
Empathy Circle is a different experience every time, it is an occasion
to settle with ourselves in a climate of embrace and acceptance.
Listening Circle Facilitator’s Guide
As stated on our website listening circles are a highly structured form
of dialogue. In
order to use the structure that follows, you will need the following:
Listening Circles co-intelligence.org
I believe the most basic unit of co-intelligent social life is people
sitting in a circle listening deeply and speaking from the heart.
Wisdom Circles
wisdomcircle.org
Usually one or two people initiate a circle. Make your intentions and
hopes for the group, and the fact that you will be using this format,
clear to everyone invited to participate. We recommend a circle of 3-12
people, meeting monthly or more often. Length of meeting is affected by
the number present (1-3 hours). |