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Heart
The ongoing (often daily) activity one does to maintain connection with Source.
Description
In conducting group conversations, the leader performs as an instrument. Like any other instrument, we need regular tune-ups. This nurturing attention supports us to be a clear channel to meet the group's needs.
In North America today, there is a fertile profusion of personal practices. Some common ones include:
- meditation
- tai chi, qigong, and other eastern-influenced movement sequences
- walking, especially in natural settings
- therapy (or co-counseling)
- prayer
These practices are commonly done as part of a daily or weekly routine. In addition, many people choose to do a session specifically as a prelude to a group event, before acting in a leadership position. (Such preludes may be shorter than a regular full-length practice.) As the name implies, a personal practice is normally done alone, or (as in the case of counseling) with someone whose role is to support the person in getting clear. Some groups also have a collective equivalent, such as the reading of a mission statement or ground rules, as part of an Opening and Welcome that fulfills a similar purpose
Whatever the specifics, the goal here is to get beyond one's own needs, preferences, and ego, so as to be of service to the larger whole.
Examples
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Related patterns (what this pattern points to)
How related
While the goals of a Personal Practice may include physical health, a calmer experience of life, etc., the purposes that directly relate to the role of conversation convenor are Clear Channel, Neutral Attention Out, and Hologram. The Personal Practice helps enable one to perform these functions.
Setting Personal Intention is something that often happens as part of a Personal Practice, particularly when doing the practice just before leading a group session.
A Personal Practice is one means for taking Personal Responsibility.
Other patterns that mention or point to Personal Practice
Resources
Among the many excellent texts available on group facilitation, The Art of Facilitation by Hunter, Bailey and Taylor particularly emphasizes the importance of working on yourself in order to do this work successfully.
Other
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Stage
Stories
In each of these cards is a story about group dynamics that relates to "Patterns+*tform" (add your own stories on Anonymous+Stories):
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