Silence and Breath and an OS tomorrow (Sat)

[Joelle Lyons Everett]

Sharon--

I can see from your description that there will be some tension and grief in
the room.  The first thing to do is to center yourself, and pay attention to
your own breathing.  Anything that you can do tonight and in the morning to
help you feel grounded, centered, and not-anxious will be the best gift you
can bring to this group.

I sometimes begin by asking people to take a couple of minutes to fully
arrive at the meeting--relax, breathe, let go of the tensions of travel, and
whatever they left to be there.  I'm fairly deliberate about breathing as I
walk the circle, and sometimes people will relax a bit and begin to breathe
in the same rhythm.

When you begin to speak about the 4 principles, you might expand a bit on
"Whatever happens. . ." reminding people that whatever happens today will be
more important than what could have happened, should have happened, might
have happened.

When I know there are strong feelings in the room, I sometimes remind
participants that the space is large enough to hold all the mixed feelings.
I bring Kleenex.  I hold space, visualizing a space that embraces all those
hard feelings, as well as the hopes for the future.  I try to be there with
compassion for everyone there--even if they are acting out their feelings in
obnoxious ways.

I don't know what you should say or do in the opening, but I trust that you
will know, if you are grounded and centered.  Come a little ahead of the
meeting and bless the space, and the participants.  Your confidence that the
group can come together and work for the future is more important than any
words you use or exercises you propose.

I hope your meeting is profoundly successful!

Joelle Everett

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