​Places are limited to 14 and so with this in mind we kindly ask that you only book if you are reasonably sure that you can attend. There may be a waiting list so if you can’t come along, please do let us know – thanks! 

​​​Date: November 29th

​​​Location: Online Zoom 

​​​Cost: Free of charge

​​​Facilitated by: TBC

​​Introduction – what is council? 

​​​Council circle practice has developed and flourished in many indigenous traditions over countless generations. In this time, it's continuing as a way of gathering in-community, in which we bring mindfulness to listening deeply and speaking from the heart. In Circle we take turns to share what stories, experiences, or impressions are alive for us in the moment (or choose to stay silent) in a gently facilitated way.  

​​​The intention

​​​Council can be thought of as a ‘regenerative’, community-building practice in which we can listen closely and non-judgmentally to ourselves and others, with mindfulness. The intention in offering the practice to MTAI members is to help contribute to the organisation’s existing culture of listening, co-operation and nurturing its membership. The MTAI teachers’ community is already strongly connected through the events of the past two years and the intention in offering council circle is to help to maintain and to deepen this, and also to offer an additional way of welcoming those members who may have yet to become involved. While what we say in the circle is held in confidence, nonetheless it offers a way to be authentically present, to connect and to get to know people. 

​​​We view council practice as community-focused and socially engaged, in that it is an invitation to practice in a way that is non-hierarchical and in which there is ‘horizontal’, equal access to time and space in our sharing.  We offer it from the socially engaged working group of the MTAI, of which we are both members. 

​​​Facilitators

​All facilitators are engaged in ongoing training with the Center for Council (US).