Internally, at the Circling Institute, we refer to these mailings as “the newsletter”. But, as the one tasked with writing them, they are so much more than that to me.

To me, they are our connection to you – our community. They are somewhere between a love letter & an open diary…

They are the place where I attempt to share glimpses of insights & experiences that happen in our world…with you.

This month I want to share a poignant moment from our yearlong
Art of Circling Program
with all of you

The Art of Circling program is a space where 25(ish) individuals come together in a closed cohort to fully immerse themselves in learning & practicing the 7 Stages of the Original Circling Approach. It is a personal growth program wrapped in a professional training program & immersed in a Master Mind practice group.
And, IMHO, it’s amazing.

During our most recent training weekend, Guy spontaneously spoke about how the content being taught reflects in, and is reflected by, recent experiences he has had
while caring for his mother as her life comes to an end.

Before I share that video with you, I’d like to give a bit of context… On that module & Guy’s journey.

FIRST, THE MODULE:

This particular module of the course was about the Midwife & Integrator stages of Circling. In Midwife, we welcome the birth of something new – a new perspective, a new insight, a new possibility, etc. And in the Integrator stage, we begin to step into – to try on – those “something news” & incorporate them into our Sovereign Self & our way being. During the course, Guy spontaneously shared how these stages are showing up so clearly in his life & his journey with his mom… And it was so powerful I want to share that clip with you.

NOW, GUY’S JOURNEY:

After battling off cancer 3 years ago, Guy’s mother has struggled with multiple strokes & increasing cognitive decline. 4 months ago, the decline quickened its pace and she is currently bedridden & in hospice care. She is blessed to be surrounded by loving individuals who care for her deeply and – in her more lucid moments – she has expressed she is ready to “see what is on the other side of that wall.” Guy has been traveling back and forth between California & Florida on a regular basis trying to balance caring for both his young family & his aging mother.

There is so much more I can say about how
the Circling Stages show up in our lives…
about how learning to embody these stages
enriches our ability to show up for ourselves & others…
allows to participate in life more fully…
and helps us navigate this messy human existence
with both grace and courage…
But I think I’ll table that for now & let this video give you a glimpse of Guy’s recent, personal, experience with just that.

And, in case you do not have time to watch a
15 min video right now,
I’ll share some of my favorite take aways…

(Do come back & watch the video though – it’s well worth the time 🙂

  • Our ability to express ourselves (speech, movement, etc) is one of the key ways we are able to know & be known… But can there be, perhaps, an even more profound sense of a person’s being-ness still available when those are stripped away?

  • How might our ability to turn towards, and be with, whatever is occurring – even when we desire for it to be different – open up an even deeper connection to ourselves, others, and the world?

  • Even Guy, who founded the Original Circling Approach, continues to learn new ways to embrace and embody its tools, principles, and distinctions … and as he does, they continue to enrich his life, and the lives of all those around him.

I’d love to hear some of your key takeaways too…
It’s been a long time since we’ve posted to the TCI Blog.
I’ll nudge one of our tech faeries to add a space there for everyone to share their own insights!