With roots in ancient and indigenous cultures, The Way of Council is a intuitive relational model of group communication that supports authentic expression, generosity, compassion, equanimity, and courage, reminding us that we are all connected to and touched by each other’s experience.
A Bearing Witness model of communication, Council practice creates space to ground, presence, and resource ourselves and each other as we hold space for sharing stories, different perspectives, and individual and community distress and grief. Its practice of authentic expression, compassionate speech, and deep listening invites those present to gather their awareness, recall intentions, become attuned to self and others. Reflecting on what best serves allows collective insight, wisdom, and healing to intuitively emerge.
Developed by Roshi Joan Halifax for the Ojai Foundation, the Way of Council draws upon Native American, classical Greek, and Quaker practices of sitting in circle and using a talking piece to listen and speak from the heart. Halifax shared the Way of Council was shared with Ven. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, who wove brought it into the Sangha practice of the Order of Interbeing. It has been written about by Zimmerman & Coyle (“The Way of Council”).
The Four Principles of the Way of Council are to:
- Listen from the Heart. (Not listening in order to respond.)
- Share from the Heart (Not to impress or to know.)
- Be lean of speech (Practicing generosity and allowing space for others.)
- Spontaneity (Responding in the present moment, not pre-scripting.)
We also practice:
- Confidentiality
- No cross-talk: comments are kept general and not personally-directed
- Speaking from personal experience. (Not teaching others).
Someone opens the Council by light a candle and dedicating the Council. We use a talking piece to hold space for whomever is speaking. When we are holding the talking piece we know that we will not be interrupted, that we can be in silence, shed tears, or sing and that this will be listened to and witnessed by others in the circle. Council is concluded by blowing out the candle.
An intuitive and interpersonal practice of deep listening, mindful speech, and compassionate communication without formulaic guidelines, the Way of Council is flexible and can be adapted for a wide variety or purposes, settings, and group sizes, from small groups to very large groups.