Choir of souls
Connecting with the soul
Choir of souls
Connecting with the soul
Soul Circles
The world, you and I need more wholeness and more soul in our lives.
I am opening for participation in Soul Circles. We meet seven times and create a safe space where the soul can thrive and connect. If you are interested, read more here.
Soul Circles
The world, you and I need more wholeness and more soul in our lives.
I am opening for participation in Soul Circles. We meet seven times and create a safe space where the soul can thrive and connect. If you are interested, read more here. You are very welcome to send the invitation to others whom you would like to join in, or you think might be interested on their own accord.
Choir of Souls
The Choir of Souls is when you call, and others answer or when you answer a call. The interchange from soul to soul.
The Choir of Souls is an image. It is an image of many souls joined in a song. A song where your voice is welcome. The choir will answer if you engage and listen.
I use this story to frame two different kinds of working with personal growth.
The soul circles. Here we where we are together as individual beings, joined in creating a common story. This is often done in virtual circles, where we can meet souls from different places.
The striving souls. Here we single out one voice, one soul, whom we then let the choir answer. This is often done at our retreats.
The choir of souls is beneficial for both your being and your striving.
Choir of Souls
The Choir of Souls is when you call, and others answer or when you answer a call. The interchange from soul to soul.
The Choir of Souls is an image. It is an image of many souls joined in a song. A song where your voice is welcome. The choir will answer if you engage and listen.
I use this story to frame two different kinds of working with personal growth.
The soul circles. Here we where we are together as individual beings, joined in creating a common story. This is often done in virtual circles, where we can meet souls from different places.
The striving souls. Here we single out one voice, one soul, whom we then let the choir answer. This is often done at our retreats.
The choir of souls is beneficial for both your being and your striving.
Virtual Soul Circles
A soul circle is a place where we give each other space to be who we are without fear and pretense.
It is good to be in such completely safe places from time to time, because then we get in touch with who we are and what we have to give in this world. It can also be scary to see oneself and listen to oneself without many of the normal filters.
The most important task for a soul circle, therefore, is to make it safe for us to be.
A soul circle consists of a group of people, one of whom is the leader of the circle.
The leader is present as him or herself and as the one who has the task of choosing the theme and making sure that the rules are kept. There are few very firm rules to ensure a safe space.
Rules
We keep the time and we keep the rules: “No fixing, no advising, no saving, no setting each other straight”. To make room for each other, we do not repair each other, we do not give advice, we do not try to save anyone from what they are and we put no one in their place, no matter what they say.
There is also an invitation to come and join. The invitation is that you are here of course voluntarily and everything we and you do is by invitation.
Virtual Soul Circle
A soul circle is a place where we give each other space to be who we are without fear and pretense.
It is good to be in such completely safe places from time to time, because then we get in touch with who we are and what we have to give in this world. It can also be scary to see oneself and listen to oneself without many of the normal filters.
The most important task for a soul circle, therefore, is to make it safe for us to be.
A soul circle consists of a group of people, one of whom is the leader of the circle.
The leader is present as him or herself and as the one who has the task of choosing the theme and making sure that the rules are kept. There are few very firm rules to ensure a safe space.
Rules
We keep the time and we keep the rules: “No fixing, no advising, no saving, no setting each other straight”. To make room for each other, we do not repair each other, we do not give advice, we do not try to save anyone from what they are and we put no one in their place, no matter what they say.
There is also an invitation to come and join. The invitation is that you are here of course voluntarily and everything we and you do is by invitation.
Virtual Soul Circle
Form
A soul circle is a special place. It is important to keep that space a safe space for everyone. Think of it a bit like the picture of the trees. Each tree provides space for the others and together they are the forest. I have adapted the touchstones from the circle of trust form. Here they are in quotation from Parker Palmers book “A Hidden Wholeness” with only small alterations.
Extend and receive welcome – People learn best in hospitable spaces. In this circle we support each other’s learning by giving and receiving hospitality.
Be present as fully as possible – Be here with your doubts, fears and failings as well as your convictions, joys and successes, your listening as well as your speaking.
What is offered in the circle is by invitation, not demand – This is not a “share or die” event! During this circle do whatever your soul calls for and know that you do it with our support. Your soul knows your needs better than we do.
Speak your truth in ways that respect other people’s truth – Our views of reality may differ but speaking one’s truth in a circle of trust does not mean interpreting, correcting or debating what others say. Speak from your center to the center of the circle, using “I” statements, trusting people to do their own sifting, and winnowing.
No fixing, no saving, no advising, and no setting each other straight – This is one of the hardest guidelines for those of us who like to help others or who have a specific agenda. But it is the most important rule when we wish to make a space that welcomes the soul.
Learn to (or try to) respond to others with honest, open questions – Using honest, open questions helps us “hear each other into deeper speech.”
When the going gets rough, turn to wonder – If you feel confused, judgemental or defensive about something that is going on in the circle, ask yourself, “I wonder, what might have brought her to this belief?” or “What does my reaction teach me about myself?” or even “What does my actions in the circle teach me?” Take your time to listen to yourself.
Attend to your own inner teacher – We learn from others, of course. But as we explore poems, stories, questions, and silence in a circle of trust, we have a special opportunity to learn from within. So, pay close attention to your own reactions and responses, to your most important teacher.
Trust and learn from the silence – Silence is a gift in our noisy world, and a way of knowing in itself. Treat silence as a member of the group. After someone has spoken, perhaps take time to reflect without immediately filling the space with words.
Observe deep confidentiality – Trust comes from knowing that members of the circle keep what happened in the circle to themselves. Word, behaviors, and stories are not to be repeated or commented on to others outside the circle.
Know that it’s possible to leave the circle with whatever it was that you needed when you arrived, and that the seeds planted here can keep growing in the days ahead.”
“Circle of trust touchstones”, pages 217 and 218 of “A Hidden Wholeness”, Parker Palmer – with minor alterations”
Benefits
– More peace of mind
– Experience a conversation without fear, so you can contribute to these kinds of conversations where you are
– Experience the shift in focus and pace so you know that you can shift gears
– Experience listening and being listened to so you know that you can listen and what happens when you do
– Experience being seen and recognized as who you are
– Laugh, listen, ask, think, and marvel in the company of others
– Experience diversity and accept it
Form
Virtual Soul Circle
A soul circle is a special place. It is important to keep that space a safe space for everyone. Think of it a bit like the picture of the trees. Each tree provides space for the others and together they are the forest. I have adapted the touchstones from the circle of trust form. Here they are in quotation from Parker Palmers book “A Hidden Wholeness” with only small alterations.
Extend and receive welcome – People learn best in hospitable spaces. In this circle we support each other’s learning by giving and receiving hospitality.
Be present as fully as possible – Be here with your doubts, fears and failings as well as your convictions, joys and successes, your listening as well as your speaking.
What is offered in the circle is by invitation, not demand – This is not a “share or die” event! During this circle do whatever your soul calls for and know that you do it with our support. Your soul knows your needs better than we do.
Speak your truth in ways that respect other people’s truth – Our views of reality may differ but speaking one’s truth in a circle of trust does not mean interpreting, correcting or debating what others say. Speak from your center to the center of the circle, using “I” statements, trusting people to do their own sifting, and winnowing.
No fixing, no saving, no advising, and no setting each other straight – This is one of the hardest guidelines for those of us who like to help others or who have a specific agenda. But it is the most important rule when we wish to make a space that welcomes the soul.
Learn to (or try to) respond to others with honest, open questions – Using honest, open questions helps us “hear each other into deeper speech.”
When the going gets rough, turn to wonder – If you feel confused, judgemental or defensive about something that is going on in the circle, ask yourself, “I wonder, what might have brought her to this belief?” or “What does my reaction teach me about myself?” or even “What does my actions in the circle teach me?” Take your time to listen to yourself.
Attend to your own inner teacher – We learn from others, of course. But as we explore poems, stories, questions, and silence in a circle of trust, we have a special opportunity to learn from within. So, pay close attention to your own reactions and responses, to your most important teacher.
Trust and learn from the silence – Silence is a gift in our noisy world, and a way of knowing in itself. Treat silence as a member of the group. After someone has spoken, perhaps take time to reflect without immediately filling the space with words.
Observe deep confidentiality – Trust comes from knowing that members of the circle keep what happened in the circle to themselves. Word, behaviors, and stories are not to be repeated or commented on to others outside the circle.
Know that it’s possible to leave the circle with whatever it was that you needed when you arrived, and that the seeds planted here can keep growing in the days ahead.”
“Circle of trust touchstones”, pages 217 and 218 of “A Hidden Wholeness”, Parker Palmer – with minor alterations”
Benefits
– More peace of mind
– Experience a conversation without fear, so you can contribute to these kinds of conversations where you are
– Experience the shift in focus and pace so you know that you can shift gears
– Experience listening and being listened to so you know that you can listen and what happens when you do
– Experience being seen and recognized as who you are
– Laugh, listen, ask, think, and marvel in the company of others
– Experience diversity and accept it
Retreats
At a retreat, we maintain the safe framework and we strive to create the space for you to be you and also create the space for you to develop as a person. We work with both being and striving. Our retreats combine presence in nature, group processes and exercises, soul circles and striving workshops. Where the soul circles are very calm, in our retreats you will find both the calm and the more challenging ways of working. And as always, every contribution you make is voluntary.
! Due to Covid 19 we are not doing any retreats at the moment.
Retreats
At a retreat, we maintain the safe framework and we strive to create the space for you to be you and also create the space for you to develop as a person. We work with both being and striving. Our retreats combine presence in nature, group processes and exercises, soul circles and striving workshops. Where the soul circles are very calm, in our retreats you will find both the calm and the more challenging ways of working. And as always, every contribution you make is voluntary.
! Due to Covid 19 we are not doing any retreats at the moment.
“Here I got a prism to experience both others and myself from other and maybe new sides. It gave me the opportunity to slow down and ‘stroll’ a bit – on a topic that put my brain in a different gear and with others who were in on the idea and the challenge. For me, that’s exactly the point of such a circle.”
“The soul circle worked brilliantly remote: I enjoyed the virtual space – and was in a good mood, and with new inspiration afterwards. I got some real insight into how differently we experience being. Through this, I learned about my own prejudices as well as misunderstandings of what it is like to be someone other than myself. “
“In Jesper’s soul circle, I experienced an exciting ‘space’ for big and small thoughts about important things in my life. It gave thought and a desire to develop my close relationships in the same direction – i.e. more depth and less idle communication. Thanks for the insight to Jesper.”
“The soul circle was a great experience of high-quality presence and reflections in the conversations. I always left the circle recharged with mental energy and new perspectives. I especially enjoyed how the conversations developed and how I found the time spent with the circle once a week had great synergy effects with unattached processes of personal development. The circle gave me a safe space to be curious about others’ experience of being and my own way of perceiving the world.”
“The soul circle is an innovation that I was happy to be part of. There was a truly clear structure and at the same time infinite freedom to go all kinds of ways. I especially enjoyed our dialogue about generations, here we had become accustomed to the shape and went deep.”
“In the soul circle I experienced space to be curious, wondering, listening, and investigating different ways of being human, different ways of understanding life and soul. We invited the soul to dance – sometimes a quiet dance, sometimes an intense tango and sometimes a trial in new steps. The experience both lifted and provided tranquility and energy at the same time. “
“Here I got a prism to experience both others and myself from other and maybe new sides. It gave me the opportunity to slow down and ‘stroll’ a bit – on a topic that put my brain in a different gear and with others who were in on the idea and the challenge. For me, that’s exactly the point of such a circle.”
“The soul circle worked brilliantly remote: I enjoyed the virtual space – and was in a good mood, and with new inspiration afterwards. I got some real insight into how differently we experience being. Through this, I learned about my own prejudices as well as misunderstandings of what it is like to be someone other than myself. “
“In Jesper’s soul circle, I experienced an exciting ‘space’ for big and small thoughts about important things in my life. It gave thought and a desire to develop my close relationships in the same direction – i.e. more depth and less idle communication. Thanks for the insight to Jesper.”
“The soul circle is an innovation that I was happy to be part of. There was a truly clear structure and at the same time infinite freedom to go all kinds of ways. I especially enjoyed our dialogue about generations, here we had become accustomed to the shape and went deep.”
Behind Choir of souls
Who is behind Choir of souls?
Soul circles and retreats available
Up coming events, retreats and soul circles
