COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

Community agreements are mutual understandings that support respectful and loving group dynamics. They help anchor communal expectations and interactions to create a welcoming and inclusive space. Of the conscious community agreements described below, which agreements feel most essential to you? Are there any conscious community agreements that are difficult to understand? Please consider what’s most important to you in establishing a truthful and tender space for connecting.

CALLING ON PRESENCE

We’re willing to intentionally practice loving awareness to co-create a heartful space. We’re willing to be aware of the arising of our physical sensations, thoughts, and feelings. We’re willing to meet what arises with courageous honesty and radical love.

DEEPLY LISTENING

We’re willing to listen fully and openly without multi-tasking and planning what to say as we listen to others. We’re willing to refrain from agreeing or disagreeing so we can be present and witness. We’re willing to pause between shares and avoid “crosstalk,” slowing dialogue pace.

EXPRESSING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

We’re willing to speak directly from our own experience, using “I” statements. We’re willing to avoid giving unsolicited advice, using “you should” statements, and characterizing the experiences of others. We’re willing to refrain from theoretical and abstract sharing.

TRYING THINGS ON

We’re willing to acknowledge on our own limited viewpoint amidst a multitude of perspectives. We’re willing to be surprised, learn something new, and “try on” concepts and practices that may be unfamiliar. We’re willing to validate and nuance ideas through a “both, and” perspective.

UNDERSTANDING INTENT & IMPACT

We’re willing to try to understand both the intent and impact of our thoughts, words, and actions. We’re willing to acknowledge how denying impact can be cruel and destructive. We’re willing to feel into the mystery of life (the uncertainty and uncontrolability) and interpret the intentions of others with a wide view.

REFRAINING FROM BLAMING & SHAMING

We’re willing to try to clearly perceive and understand others. We’re willing to communicate in ways that are kind and generative. We’re willing to refrain from communicating in ways that cause division or discord, avoiding harsh criticism and condemnation.

MOVING UP & BACK

We’re willing to express what’s alive for us in the moment and encourage full community participation. We’re willing to refrain from tangents and long storytelling and to give others the opportunity to share before speaking twice. We’re willing to practice giving and receiving conscious feedback. 

ALLOWING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PASS

We’re willing to refrain from speaking and acting, respecting the rhythm of our heart. We’re willing to respect rhythms of others’ hearts and their choice not to speak or act. We’re willing to stop, breath, and consider if speaking will improve upon the silence.

KEEPING SHARED INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL

We’re willing to understand that others may not want information shared. We’re willing to keep shared information of others confidential, honoring vulnerability. We’re willing to ask permission to share any information outside of the sharing space. 

HEARTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS

We’re willing to practice generosity through heartful contributions including mindful presence, loving acts of service, and shared resources. We’re willing to approach group gatherings intentionally, arriving at or prior to scheduled start times, without hurry. We’re willing to silence and store our electronics to avoid distraction.

DOG FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT

We’re willing to welcome dogs in our communal spaces so long as the dogs are well socialized, with no history of aggressive behavior, biting, or excessive barking. We’re willing to ensure that dogs are kept securely in the area of their family members. We’re willing to be sensitive to people who suffer from dog hair allergies, ensuring that dogs do not use any communal practice supports like mats, blankets, bolsters.