Community Agreements
“The human soul doesn’t want to be advised or fixed or saved. It simply wants to be witnessed — to be seen, heard and companioned exactly as it is. When we make that kind of deep bow to the soul of a suffering person, our respect reinforces the soul’s healing resources, the only resources that can help the sufferer make it through.”
— Parker Palmer
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Complete confidentiality. Nothing shared in the course may be shared outside of the course.
Respecting both visible and unseen differences. These could include varying gender/sexual orientations, faith orientations, family situations, mental health struggles, socioeconomic differences, occupational differences, and more.
Not speaking on other’s behalves without explicit permission (i.e., not sharing what someone else said during a breakout group)
Deep listening. This can take place in the form of allowing people to have their experience, whether in silence, in tears, or somewhere in between
None of us are broken; refraining from attempting to “fix” one another.
Refraining from giving advice;
Non-judging;
Speaking from felt experience;
Refraining from one-upping, patronizing, knowing “better;”
Honoring introversion and extroversion
Respecting personal space / different-sized space bubbles;
Assume generously. When in doubt about someone’s intentions, assume that just like you, they are doing the best they can in that moment.
When in doubt, ask. If you require clarity about something a classmate has shared — whether due to language challenges or otherwise — feel free to gently enquire.