South Asian HangOuts – Winter Heart Circle (Tue 17th Dec 2024)

Topic: Winter Heart Circle

Format: Discussion / Activity

The Heart Circle is a tradition of the Radical Faeries to foster open, honest and loving communication with one another. It was adopted by the Edward Carpenter Community from its earliest days and continues to be an element of some of our events and our local groups activities. We believe it helps to build resilient community together through healing, trust and unconditional love. https://www.edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk/about-us/heart-circles

A return to our winter heart circle. We will all be checking in, for 5 minutes each to share what is in our hearts and thoughts one at a time. Everyone listens to what is being said. After everyone has had an opportunity to express how they are feeling we will bring the heart circle to a close. If there is time we can look at any common themes that come up and see if we can unpack some of this further. (There is no pressure to talk or share how you are feeling and trusting the process and listening is enough too).

A Heart Circle is a verbal sharing one at a time, about how we are feeling. Each person speaks from the heart. Whilst group members are free to say what they wish: no one interrupts and all listen respectfully.

Some healthy boundaries:

The Heart Circle is not a discussion group.

• If a member raises an issue that they are concerned about, it is not for others to offer advice, or to comment. However, in the spirit of sharing feelings, it is appropriate to talk about how the concern raised leads you to feel.
• Themes can sometimes develop in the group, whilst at other times the feelings shared can remain very individual, with nothing particularly following on from one member to the next.
• Feelings may include ‘negative’ feelings: perhaps these are the more difficult to express, such as feelings of depression, irritation, boredom etc. As long as you own these feelings as your own, rather than putting them onto someone else (such as, ‘You make me feel’…) then group members can accept these are your feelings.
• It is absolutely fine to pass and to say nothing if you don’t feel moved to do so. Simply being there is participation.
• Humour is fine and so is seriousness. Be aware whether what you say is from the heart, genuine and expresses your real feelings.

Let’s listen to each other and appreciate ourselves.

https://www.lgbthero.org.uk/7-ways-to-improve-your-mental-health

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/sleep-problems/about-sleep-and-mental-health/

https://www.lgbthero.org.uk/online-group-agreement

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