Spirit Fire welcomes participants to its events involving a facilitated dialogue by distributing these guidelines as a way to cultivate safety and freedom to speak and to listen well for each person.
- Commit to creating a sacred place. Every attendee must enjoy the same measure of consideration, respect and charity.
- Assume good intent. Suspend judgment. Do not personalize what is addressed to you.
- Listen to hear not to respond. Receive what you hear prayerfully without reaction.
- Seek dialogue. Avoid debate and alliances.
- Welcome mistakes with honest correction in kindness and not judgment or criticism.
- Speak only for yourself. Use “I” statements. Share your experience and views.
- Honor boundaries. Do not reveal facts about third parties. Do not ask personal questions.
- Ask questions, when appropriate, to clarify and not challenge another point of view.
- Encounter attendees as individuals. Mental illness is a diagnosis not an identity. No one is a scapegoat for institutional or family failures.
- Share time. Do not dominate. Private time aside with a counselor can address personal needs and preserve the group process.
- Empower others by not solving problems or offering advice during discussions or breaks.
- Empower yourself. Be mindful of your feelings and actions for signals of what you need. Ask for help if for big or small needs or concerns.
- Remember the power of pain. Abide by guidelines which protect all participants from triggers, re-wounding, and vicarious wounds.
- Honor group guidelines. Any member may ask for a “time out” at any time to permit the group or facilitator assess dynamics.
- Maintain confidentiality and anonymity for all participants without exception. It is prohibited to reveal names or what others say expect as the group may unanimously agree at the outset.
