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.

We’re willing to arrive early to approach the space intentionally, without hurry.

We are willing to turn electronics off to lessen distraction.  

DEEPLY LISTENING

We’re willing to listen fully and openly with our whole self.

We’re willing to avoid 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.

We’re willing to be surprised and learn something new.

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 and using “you” or “we” statements.

We’re willing to refrain from theoretical and abstract sharing.

We’re willing to not characterize the experiences of others.

We’re willing to acknowledge on our own limited perspective. 

TRYING THINGS ON

We’re willing to acknowledge multiple perspectives and complexities.

We’re willing to “try on” new ideas and ways of doing things that may be unfamiliar to us.

We’re willing to validate and nuance through a “both, and” perspective.

We’re willing to refrain from sharing information we don’t know to be certain.

We’re willing to refrain from criticizing and condemning things which we are not sure.

UNDERSTANDING INTENT & IMPACT

We’re willing to try to understand the impact of our thoughts, words, and actions.

We’re willing to acknowledge how denying impact can be cruel and destructive.

We’re willing to avoid overly-focusing on our intent.

We’re willing to try to understand the intention behind others’ words and actions.

REFRAINING FROM BLAMING & SHAMING

We’re willing to try to clearly perceive and understand others.

We’re willing to communicate in ways that are understanding and generative.

We’re willing to refrain from communicating in ways that cause division or discord.

We’re willing to practice giving conscious feedback.

MOVING UP & BACK

We’re willing to encourage full participation.

We’re willing to express what’s alive for us in the moment.

We’re willing to give others spaciousness opportunity to share before speaking twice.

We’re willing to refrain from tangents and long storytelling to serve those listening.

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.

(such as our mindful presence, loving acts of service, and shared resources).