Why it's time to sit in circles again

Human beings have gathered in circles together for thousands and thousands of years. 

Eating meals around the fire, sharing stories for survival, learning, organising community, ceremony, rituals, dance, music. 

Gathering in circles was the absolute integral heart of human life and being in community. 

As our societies began to change, cities grew, domestic and work life evolved and we began to focus on cognitive development, linear thinking, receiving information from a dominant leadership figure, we started to sit...in rows. Yawn.

Necessary perhaps when you have a large group of people you want to disseminate information down to...but if we want engagement, passion, meaningful interaction, it's time for something different. We need to share across and with, drawing on old ways, for new concerns.

Think about the times you've sat in rows - conferences, town halls, training, even weddings and places of worship...What does it feel like? Are you engaged? How connected do you feel to others in the room? Are you participating? Who's talking? Who's not? What's the vibe?

When was the last time you sat in a circle? What did that feel like? 

Sitting in a circle creates a feeling of belonging, a feeling of connection and a sense of equality. You’re facing each other, alongside another, there’s eye contact, facial expressions, body movements, you’re visible, and most importantly, you’re accountable for your presence.

It’s hard to be a social loafer in a circle.  You have to listen, your engagement is required and welcomed.

From a circle; depth, connection, belonging, purposeful conversation and truth can emerge.

Circles can feel unfamiliar and awkward too. They require us to embrace of a sense of vulnerability, to be seen, to give everyone a chance to contribute...and if vulnerability, openness and everyone having a place to be seen and heard is not the norm, changing things up can feel uncomfortable. (But you know, when it comes to better communication, we need to get used to feeling a bit uncomfortable). 

What's fascinating right now is that more and more gatherings are being held virtually online.  Not a physical circle but a more conceptual one. Everyone's on the screen, facing each other, seen, no seating hierarchy or looking at the back of someone's head, you can’t zone out (unless you switch your video off).  It has, in a way, a more egalitarian feel. Everyone’s a bit vulnerable with our home on display in the background, the possibility of the dogs barking or the kids running in. Weirdly, there’s a beautiful humanness to the way we can gather online. 

We're gathering in circles again but in modern ways, tending to modern challenges.

I’ve sat in many circles over the years, both as a facilitator and a participant. Some have been enlightening, quietly revealing, hilarious, some heart-warming, uncomfortable, dynamic, awkward, loving.  All have been illuminating, meaningful and  supportive of learning, understanding, connection and belonging.  The stuff that's needed. 

Where can you sit in more circles? and what do you need to create them?