CMM Bracebridge Mindfulness Meditation Group

Meeting Guidelines

 

Commitment

 

In the silence, making the commitment to keep everything you hear shared here tonight confidential. Please consider making the respectful commitments to mindfully listen to what is being communicated; practice leaving respectful space during and after someone speaking; recognize that we are here to acknowledge our shared humanness without judgement and with openness; and as much as possible, stay in the present moment.

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“Meditation Hall” Etiquette

 

Listening: Listen deeply with an open heart and curiosity to fully understand what is being said. Listen without judging or reacting. The focus is on the speaker and what is being said. Any time a judgment, an evaluation, an attempt to fix the problem, a reflection on one’s own issues, or a thought about the past or future arises, allow it to pass from your mind, and then go back to your heart space. It is extremely important to allow the silence when the other person stops speaking. It gives the other person time to move more deeply into what they are feeling and to continue with what they are saying. Also, it allows the other person the space to thank you for listening so skillfully.

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Speaking: Speak your truth from your own personal experience, in a way to promote harmony and good will. Only one person speaks at a time, whether in-person or on Zoom. To avoid interrupting, raise your (virtual) hand. We use communication to further our understanding of ourselves and others as a way to develop insight. Be present before speaking. Pause and ask yourself: Does this contribute to the conversation? Is this a thoughtful contribution over a reactive one? 

 

Sharing: Share experience, not advice. Speak from your own journey rather than telling others what to do. Trust each person to find their own way. Speak from the heart, share honestly, and be kind. Listen fully before responding. Meet each other with compassion rather than correction. Be a support rather than an ego; if someone is struggling, offer kindness and not lectures. This isn't a personal platform, it's a shared space. Before speaking, consider: Does this add to the conversation? Is this the right space and time for it? 

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“Holding your seat”: Refrain from interrupting or private conversation when in-person, or randomly turning on the microphone, using emojis or chatting with other people in the chat feature of the Zoom room. If you wish to show compassion, we suggest placing a hand over your heart. Avoid cross-talk and rather communicate with all members on the topic at hand; speak from your own experience and heartspace to the group at large.​

 

More on Communicating Skillfully...

 

Honour all paths. Welcome diverse perspectives. Approach differences with curiosity, not division.

 

Listen from the heart. Relate to the other person’s pain and joy as well as listening to their words. They are expressing an aspect of the human condition. Allow yourself to be touched by their suffering or happiness.

 

Avoid judging what the other person is communicating. This is the person’s experience, it is not for us to judge whether it is right or wrong or whether we agree or disagree. Listening is about empathy, not judgment.

 

Avoid trying to “fix” the other person’s issue or to change the person with whom you are communicating. (e.g., “Here’s how you can solve that,” “What I would do if I were you,” etc.)

 

While listening, avoid reflecting on your own similar or related issues. Keep focused on what the other person is communicating. 

 

Do not interrupt the other person. Your point of view is not more important than what is being said by the person communicating with you. 

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Be impeccable with your words. Speak with integrity, say only what you mean, avoid using words to speak against yourself or to gossip about others, and use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

 

Don't take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you, what others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream.

 

Don't make assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions, express what you really feel, communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstanding, sadness and drama.

 

Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment, for example, it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.

 

Be aware of your privilege. You have relative societal privileges and oppressions based, in part, on your experience with race, gender, and class. Investigate for yourself how this affects what you say and what you do.