We are living in times made for Circles of Trust. And Circles of Trust are made for Prairiewoods, where we renew the spirit in beauty, quiet, and acceptance.
In these days of cultural division and polarization, trust is in short supply, personal integrity is often challenged, and authenticity can be squelched. A lot of us may also be feeling divided within ourselves or unsure of our true role in a world of chaos. Many seek a safe space to explore and express their truest self and ideas, and to be listened to deeply without judgment from others. Many seek a supportive community where reflective thinking and sharing are invited and where belonging is fostered. In sum, many are seeking to join others in cultivating wholeness, for both self and society.
These are the aims of the Circle of Trust®, founded in the Courage & Renewal® approach developed by visionary writer, teacher, and speaker Parker Palmer. As a trained Courage & Renewal facilitator, I am honored and delighted to bring ongoing quarterly, seasonal day-long Circle of Trust retreats to the Prairiewoods community. The principles and practices of Courage & Renewal are designed to help us discern our authentic selves, our “hidden wholeness,” as Palmer calls it, by paying attention to our inner source of truth, named in various wisdom traditions as identity, true self, inner teacher, heart, spirit, or soul. Through Circles of Trust, we renew our courageous spirit as we align our inner and outer selves—our “soul” and “role”—and journey together toward personal and societal wholeness.
A typical session at a Circle of Trust retreat is structured around what is called a “Third Thing.” This might be a poem, a story, a piece of music, an artwork, an activity, or anything else that gives the group a common focus for individual reflection. For these quarterly circles, our Third Things will be focused on the appropriate seasonal theme. Usually a session offers individual contemplation time, a small group gathering, and then whole-group sharing. Rather than being discussion-oriented, the small-and whole-group time are for sharing and deep listening as a way for each of us to hear our own “inner teacher.” In the Courage & Renewal approach, everything is “by invitation and not demand.” If a circle member doesn’t wish to share anything, that is perfectly fine! We assume that each of our souls knows what’s best for us.
Circles of Trust offer us opportunities to open our hearts to ourselves and to each other to explore who we truly are in a safe, confidential community. We hope that at the end of the day, you will have felt heard and supported, that you will have experienced a sense of renewal, and that you will take some courage with you to continue working toward personal and societal wholeness.
Our next Circle of Trust at Prairiewoods is Saturday, July 12, with the theme of “Summer Abundance.” I invite you to give it a try, and, if you find the experience enriching, to come back for future circles whenever you wish. You are welcome to one, some, or all of our one-day retreats—whatever works for you and whatever your soul calls for!
—Dr. Thomas Dean, Circle of Trust facilitator
To join the Summer Circle of Trust, visit our registration page. For further information about Circles of Trust and the Courage & Renewal approach, visit couragerenewal.org.