What If
At the end of every meeting, we hand out a questionnaire for feedback about the meeting experience. Everyone fills it out and then we go around and share. We ask,
I Like...
I Wish...
What if..
This is a compilation of participants: What if..
Everyone could learn and do this
Everyone could learn this! Even short sessions like this feel liberating.
everyone in the world could experience this.
the whole world would get on board
everyone could do this?
This reflection was more common in everyday life
How might we spread Empathy Circles everyone in the world could learn and experience this?
we didn't' need these meetings cuz the world did it naturally
this was taught to kids in the schools
the whole world would get on board
everyone could do this?
NVC was thought in schools?
the circles became totally widespread.
more people took the time to learn to be better listeners. the world would be a kinder place.
Process
"mix it up at least once in a while
regroupings
redo the rules - variation
try things and see what works
after a specific time we switch teams
or met somewhere with comfortable couches / rugs
we experimented with different types of communication
random reassignment in a circle regrouping
assign groups before show up and a group moderator
we do more formats than just reflection and have some diversity because I felt it was getting a little reparative, losing some people's interest and energy and the 3rd person can be more included.
people and we rotate group members
A period of silence after a speaker finishes - be integrated into reflection
Go Deeper
we could loosen up about how to give feedback and or to go a bit deeper
we could go into more depth about topic
Different tables for different needs
we had different tables that met different needs
Do Pared Empathy
we did paired empathic listening
we try to add feelings of speaker to our reflections
Do Feelings and Needs
Instead of reflecting exactly what the person said (which I found a bit annoying) kinda like instead of truly listening, the listeners just paraphrasing what was said how about I'm hearing that... "you feel_____ "because "you need_________" OFNR
we had a way to check in and evaluate the feelings behind the narrative
Do Role Play - Physical
we also did the physicalizations of what was said.
we could practice additional skills involving role-playing conflict or difficult emotions re: scenarios in our lives
there was a space adjacent for cathartic expressive practice, so we could get some stuff triggered. then dance it like a shaman.
is needs for feedback/role play/support
Dialog at End
conversed normally at the end
I try singing empathy? ask for a song as reflection.
Do Empathic Design
did the design crash course [ on how to redesign the Empathy Circles]
some people from today join the empathic design team at the HUB.
we got around to some different forms such as Edwin always mentions'
next time we do half empathic listen and half design
Do Food - Potluck
we did this over a meal?
we could do this in someone's home: it be a potluck event. yes to weekends.!!
meet on the weekend like a Sunday. a Friday night potluck
we create an empathy buddy feature for connecting people together.
we had a party
we met over a potluck at different attendees houses
Have Empathy Buddies
we create an empathy buddy system
I got better at it
I could do this to the point where if just lows a little bit better, not to the point of being a natural but to a point where I can function almost naturally?
More Empathy
we could find empathy easily in the rest of or lives
Small steps that allow people to slowly incorporate empathy into their lives
there was a focus on empathy in addition to reflective listening
Explore Self Empathy
we worked on self empathy
Quieter
find a quieter space
Longer-shorter meeting
we went a little longer when there are more (till 8:45 or 9:00pm)
we set the time to 2 hours
we added 30 minutes to the time?
Other Location
someone could suggest another Oakland meeting place close to Bart and wit reasonable parking
we could find a better place (though the food was good)
we could meet in someone's home
someone could suggest another Oakland meeting place close to Bart and with reasonable parking
we were in the back room\
HUB
the HUB allowed more though empathic listening and design
we meet at Oakland HUB.
people came to the empathy team at the HUB
Outdoors, In Nature:
we meet in nature, so that our discussion wouldn't be disturbed by the noise of the café.
Michael organize an outside circle
there could be a expansive dialogue created from empathy practice
had this practice about forests - outdoors
we met in a nice weather outdoors in a community garden or my back patio.
Location Online
we meet online
we start a Facebook blog on this?
meet at my work/home
Different Days
we try this for an empathy day? how about a Sunday.
maybe meet during the day. Like a Sunday or Saturday
we have the meeting weekly. It would be great
we had these meetings more regular
Time Limits
think about a time limit of 10 minutes per round? not sure
there's a method/protocol where each person get's equal amount of time for being heard.
Keep meeting, expanding and building community
we keep meeting and growing the empathy community.
we keep developing and deepening the community
find a regular quite space. talk about how to expand the empathy cafe.
Quieter environment
Quieter environment
there was a quieter space w/ less distraction
we had a slightly quieter place
Parking
I feel to new to the group to ask for anything. - someplace with easier parking
Facilitation
we took turns facilitating. we share our vision for the group.
other people facilitate
Have Topics/Themes
we have a section where we talk about a bunch of predetermined topics
we always have a discussion topic there on meet up event even if we don't use it
do a theme next week
Support Resources
If I brought this to my communities, how could I get material and knowledge to share.
There were clear and outlined steps that follow the practice of empathic listening.
I create a empathic listening training video
Classes
someone offered NVC classes on campus.
Speak louder
everyone spoke loud enough for us all to hear.
Next Steps after empathy
What practice of empathy follow directly from empathic listening.
Miscellaneous
could do this to the point where if just flows a little bit better, not to the point of being a natural but to a point where I can function almost naturally?
enough people came early enough to really keep things moving.
more connection is less time? how
we keep working on making the wishes happen
I will think more about it.
we could readily appreciate radically different life experiences '
I could get my steamed milk to go
I had brought a cushion to sit on
we catalyzed evolution in the world creating a more respectful order