Council circle workshop 1 -
Introduction to the Way of Council
Friday, 9 February from 4 - 7pm
Saturday, 10 February and Sunday, 11 February from 10 - 6pm
At the Oasis Centre, Dublin.
This immersive two-and-a-half day workshop offers an introduction to and grounding in council practice.
Council is an age-old practice that involves bringing people together in a circle to bear witness and share authentically. Participants agree to speak one-at-a-time, sharing their personal stories and experiences rather than opinions, and listening non-judgmentally while others do the same. Sharing and listening to universal stories about love, loss, fear, triumph, challenge, hope and other experiences enables participants to recognize that, despite our many differences, we have much in common.
The way of council acknowledges everyone present and focuses our intention on our common stories, values, aspirations and our emergent collective wisdom. By fostering mindful listening and authentic expression, council builds positive relationships between participants and neutralizes hierarchical or systemic dynamics of inequity. It supports a deep sense of community and fosters recognition of a shared humanity and interconnectedness. It enables individuals to give voice to their stories, develop mutual respect, cultivate a compassionate response to conflict and anger and strengthen emotional health and resilience.
Council training 1
In CT1 (also known as Introduction to the Way of Council), participants develop their fluency with and capacity to practice and offer council, and to bring this practice into their existing networks, whether in family, community or work life. In CT1, the history, fundamentals and nuances of the forms and modalities of council are explored in some depth and a good deal of background is offered on the intentions and languaging used in the practice. In addition to a grounding in the basic procedures and tools of council, broader applications to a variety of settings are introduced – such as classrooms, boardrooms, prisons, activist groups and communities — as well as more intimate settings like families and couples. CT1 workshops attract facilitators, teachers, artists, business people, therapists, social workers, chaplains and many others.
What participants in the 2023 Dublin workshop said:
“It was a wonderful training which opened the heart. I can see how council circles could be transformational in people’s lives.”
“The training provided a wonderful blend of theory, experiential learning and humour that brought everyone together.”
“My experience of council circle training was beautifully nourishing - professionally and personally. The trainers are exceptionally skilled and warm in their approach.”
Trainers
Jared Seide is Executive Director of the Center for Council. Ann Seide, MD, is a Senior Council Trainer and board-certified Internist and Integrative Medicine Physician.
How to participate
The fee for this workshop is €325. There are some supported places @ €250 available – please enquire. If possible for you, contributing the supporters’ rate of €375 will help us to provide supported places.
The fee includes a 5% contribution to Wholehearted Education for overheads and towards ongoing practice and training opportunities.
A deposit of €100 books your place. The balance is due by 26 January 2024. Attendance at the full training (Friday 9 Feb – Sunday 11 Feb) is required.
Location
The workshop venue is The Oasis Centre in Dublin city centre, which is located at St. Laurences Place East, Seville Place, Dublin 1. https://oasiscentre.ie/
Please email Niamh Barrett at wholeheartededucation@protonmail.com with your registration form, or with any questions.
This event is being organised and hosted by our sister organisation, Wholehearted Education. Please email Niamh at wholeheartededucation@protonmail.com with any questions and to request a registration form.
