Our Programmes

More about The Way of Council

When needing to discuss and come to an understanding about issues relating to the community, many of our ancestors sat in Council. Their inclusive and non-hierarchical approach honoured the diversity of opinions amongst the group and also the disparate thoughts and feelings within the individual.

The Way of Council, originating from many ancient forms of communicating, is a modern practice that encourages deep and honest communication. Participants will learn the art of listening with full attention and expressing themselves from the truth of their own personal experience. Council enables people to open to each other as equal human beings and creates community in a way that has become rare in our modern western culture.

As a structured practice Council participants sit in a circle, with a centre and a ‘talking piece’ in a quiet and private setting. The facilitator guides the group through the five intentions of Council: to speak from the heart; to listen from the heart without judgment; to speak spontaneously and succinctly; to honour confidentiality and to speak what serves. Using a talking piece helps to focus and empower each person, allowing them to speak without interruption and to be heard with full attention. We gain a deepened sense of our interconnectedness with each other and with our environment. And if peace and healing can be found inside our own hearts and souls, then it means we have an integral part to play in creating social justice and restoring our relationship with our environment.