Community Agreements
As a diverse group of spiritual activists, organizers, and justice-oriented meditation and Buddhist practitioners, we are dedicated to co-creating a space of spiritual-political growth and learning. We believe in the power of shared agreements to facilitate meaningful discussion and transformation. Please take a moment to review our community view, practice, and ethics.
OUR VIEW
Basic Goodness
We work from a foundational trust in each other’s inherent wholeness and awakened heart-mind.
Learning & Curiosity
We acknowledge that we are a community that is continually learning and growing. We believe in the power of making mistakes and taking risks. We call people in, not out. We give the benefit of the doubt and ask questions. We understand the collective path toward liberation can be messy, painful, and joyful.
Diversity & Respect
We honor diversity across racial, sexual, gender, economic, political, national, religious, cultural, social, mental, emotional, physical, language, and other backgrounds. We work towards being a community free from racism, white supremacy, harassment, violence, discrimination, or mistreatment. We are committed to making our spaces as accessible, equitable, and welcoming as possible.
Solidarity
We are strengthened by the unique range of perspectives and experiences within our group. We work toward standing in love, support, and care for one another across our differences.
OUR PRACTICE
Full Attention & Presence
We work towards creating an atmosphere of loving presence and attention for each other. We listen fully and allow space for silence. We respect that only one person speaks at a time; not interrupting one another verbally, non-verbally, or via the Chat. Honoring different modes of sharing, we create opportunities for both spoken and written communication.
Move At The Speed of Trust
We practice together only at the speed and foundation in which trust and love has been cultivated. We respect each other’s boundaries.
Care for Yourself and Each Other
We take care of ourselves and each other. We respect each other’s physical, spiritual, and emotional energy and make sure to take time to rest, stretch, eat, drink, use the restroom, or leave meetings (among other forms of care) when needed.
Sometimes You Have To Sit With Things
We acknowledge that not everything can be addressed or resolved within our shared time together, and that we may need to sit with feelings that have arisen.
OUR ETHICS
Language Matters
We work towards using inclusive and non-gendered language. We respectfully use each person’s chosen pronouns.
Center Personal Experience
We speak from the “I” perspective and center our personal heartfelt experience; not generalizing for others in the room or groups at large.
Take Space, Make Space
We are mindful of the amount of space we take up or don’t take up in discussion and aim to create an environment where everyone has the chance to be heard. If you are a person who normally does not speak in groups, please encourage yourself to do so. If you are a person who tends to speak a lot, challenge yourself to listen more and create the silence it takes for a quieter, less represented person to speak.
Intention vs Impact
We create space for clarity, mistakes, and understanding. We acknowledge that if we accidentally say something hurtful, we are encouraged to take responsibility. If we are hurt by something that is said, there is room to share how that has impacted us with the group, individual, and/or facilitator. With this in mind, we work towards not producing shame for one another and understand that moments of hurt are an opportunity for mutual healing and learning.
Confidentiality
We respect the confidentiality of what is spoken in group meetings. We do not share identifying details or attach names to details when speaking about our group experience. In other words, what is learned here leaves here. What is said here stays here.
There may be instances when authors attend the Book Club sessions and the discussion is recorded and shared with other members of the Engaged Dharma Book Club. If you prefer for your shares or image to not be included in the recording, you can let the facilitator or Adriana know at the end of the session verbally or via email ad@adrianadifazio.com.
In honor of these above community agreements, we acknowledge the limits of our group spaces. We reserve the right and responsibility to ask you to leave if you choose not to abide by the above guidelines.
*These agreements are living, breathing guidelines that can adapt and change. If you feel like there is an agreement that you would like to propose that would help the group grow into a more loving community, please let us know.