Ritual circles
These circles are offered to introduce and explore the practical application of integrative principles. Opening up our experience by engaging with the five domains, we can glimpse the underutilised power of our multiple intelligences, which, once recognised, can evolve and synthesise into an identity that is more inspired, resilient and empowered to face instead of avoid difficulties in our day-to-day functioning.
The Four Seasons
The four seasons framework is an intuitive way of setting up an integrative practice that is easy to explain and apply. It was developed as a learning cycle that honours seasonal patterns to engage the flow of our different cognitive dimensions and we will use it to link and integrate the five domains. Click for References
Autumn: Planting and Action
Planting Seeds: Preparing the body and mind for new possibilities. As we focus on the body, the task of the mind is to let the process unfold
Activities
Spiritual: Body Scan
Mental: Context, intention and container
Physical: Zero
Emotional: Expressive play
Interpersonal: Deep listening
Winter:
Rooting and Gestation
Growing Roots: Waiting for the seeds to take root. The mind cultivates patient receptivity, acknowledging not knowing as a desirable dynamic state
Activities
Mental: Grounding, intention and container
Physical: Nature as ritual space
Spiritual: What am I scared of?
Emotional: Expressive play
Interpersonal: Deep listening
Spring: Blooming and Cross-fertilization
Grooming bloom: Opening the heart to possibility. The mind cultivates genuine curiosity and unconditional acceptance.
Activities
Mental: Grounding, intention and container
Physical: Moving in uncertainty
Spiritual: Heart Coherence
Emotional: Expressive play
Interpersonal: Deep listening
Summer:
Harvest and Celebration
Collecting and sharing fruit: Articulating insights in open dialog. The mind cultivates a beginner’s attitude for both listening and sharing.
Activities
Spiritual: The wheel of awareness
Physical: A fraction of the Whole
Emotional: Expressive play
Mental: The Alchemist
Interpersonal: Deep listening
Autumn
In our natural creative cycle, autumn is the time for preparing the body to be more open and permeable to meaningful content that is not necessarily available to the mind. It is the time to prepare a physical space to plan the seeds of emergence while the mind listens and remains receptive. Therefore, the Autumn session is designed to open the space, with the main focus of practice dedicated to physical domain.
Winter
Winter is the time to develop roots, the vital base required for creativity to grow. After planting there is a period of waiting that requires inner space and stillness. We need patience and trust in the natural process that takes place in the dynamic matrix of the personal and collective unconscious. During the winter session, the focus will be on spiritual and shadow work.
Spring
Spring is the season of regeneration and contrast. It is the time to open the heart and listen to the sensations arising from the creative energy arising from the gestation process. It is time to let what is emerging from within grow without premature assessment. The intention of the spring practice will focus on movement, bringing awareness of how our bodies move with nature and creating an opening to the relational We Space
Summer
Summer is the season of harvest, sharing and gratitude. In the creative process, fruits represent the ideas selected for elaboration and refinement. If the mind has accompanied the process as a sensitive farmer, it will discern the mature material and proceed to articulating it clearly to be shared using both verbal and not verbal expression. New lenses will be shared in the interpersonal space while others practice deep listening.
Participation Agreement
As individuals:
We will be clear of our own boundaries and take responsibility for our wellbeing
We will invite our multiple intelligences to show up and participate from the heart
As a group:
We will commit to arrive to the practice on time
We will listen deeply and share constructively, respecting boundaries and confidentiality
We will be compassionate to ourselves and others
