“When there is a structure in place, a common purpose, and a willingness to listen and share without expectation or judgment, that is when some big clearing magic happens… without anyone ever having lifted a finger to clear at home!” –Stephanie Bennett Vogt
We yearn to connect. And there is no better way to do that than to share our stories with others.
The problem is that most of the time our stories never get told. Especially when it it comes to clearing. These stories get buried under the noise, busyness, and, dare I say… the invisible clutter that keeps us stuck in pain and shame.
What we need is a bit of structure: an hour or two once a week (or month), a container of support and safety, a topic or two to focus the conversation, and few friends on the same page as us eager to listen and be heard with their whole heart.
Stephanie’s books are not just great for solo travelers. They are the perfect handbooks for those who wish to journey with others with a common purpose or goal. With inspirational messages, specific practices, and journal prompts, each book lends itself nicely for use with groups. If you can supply the willingness, desire, and the basic structure (see below), Stephanie’s books can provide the content and lead the way.
Wondering which book to start with? Click HERE
What if your ‘besties’ live far away, or there’s a pandemic that requires you to stay closer to home where meeting in person may not be possible? No problem. Thanks to technologies like Zoom and Facetime, you can still meet. With Zoom, all you need is one person with an account willing to send out the invitation link to the others.
(And PS, all you need is one other person and you’ve got a group!)
Clearing Book Group Structure
If you would like to start a clearing support book group with one or more people, below is a basic structure to help you get the most out of your weekly or monthly gatherings:
Group host: This person runs the gathering. The role can rotate and go to someone new each week or month if desired. As facilitator, the “host”…
- Emails in advance: Selects the lesson or lessons from the book that will be covered and lets people know by email one week (or month) before the virtual gathering
- Opens the circle: Welcomes everyone, asks people to mute themselves (if on Zoom), and repeats the discussion topics from the lesson(s) that will be the focus of the session
- Reminds the group of the guidelines (see below)
- Acts as timekeeper: Decides in advance how much time each person has to share based on numbers and meeting end time; gives a non-verbal signal to indicate when the speaker’s time is coming to a close
- Holds the space: Listens with their whole heart; keeps the flow going if needed; intercedes if any of the guidelines are not being met (see below)
- Ends the session: Asks for a volunteer to host the next gathering; asks if there are any questions or announcements; closes with some final words or a contemplation – whatever feels good
- The next host agrees to send out a reminder email within a day or two with the next week’s (or month’s) lesson and discussion topic selection
All other group members: Each participant…
- Steps in to speak when she is ready
- Shares her story: Uses her time to reflect on the topics of the week (or month) that have touched and moved her
- (If desired and if there is still time) Invites the group to ask for input, guidance, or support
- Listens with her whole heart while others share their stories
Listening Guidelines: In order to create a safe and supportive container, it is important to agree on some guidelines. Here are a few that you can use or modify to fit your needs:
- Be a witness. This is a listening group not a fixing group. We are not here to fix anything or anyone. This space is not a counseling or therapy session. It is not a place to give feedback to anyone unless it is specifically requested. It is a place to witness, listen, and share: share our clearing successes and our challenges, receive and give support, build the clearing energy together.
- No sidetaking. Only one person has the floor unless she invites others to weigh in.
- Silence is golden. If no one chooses to speak right away, we will sit in silence and cultivate stillness.
- Be on time. So as not to disrupt the flow, we will arrive on time and let the host know in advance if we’re going to be late. [Note: Decide as group what the cutoff time is for late arrivals.]
- Maintain confidentiality. What gets said here, stays here.
It might be helpful in the beginning sessions for the host to read the group’s guidelines out loud.
More…
- Why is clearing with others so powerful?
- Choose your book
- Don’t know which book to start with? Stephanie explains the differences
- Read a testimonial
