Understanding the Four Intentions of Council


The Four Intentions of Council

From The Way of Council by Jack Zimmerman

Speaking From the Heart

  •   Take this literally. Imagine your words emerging from a mid-chest region, rather than from the mouth.

  •   This creates a tangible feeling of expansion and a sense of greater connectedness to others in the circle

  •   You are more likely to feel non-attached to personal positions, non-defensive, and committed to recognizing the truth of the circle as a whole.

  •   Be as honest as your feeling of safety in the circle permits.

  •   Saying something that really matters: you have the circle’s undivided attention. Use it wisely.

  •   Simplicity and passion are two attributes that support heartfelt expression.

    Listening from the Heart

  •   The success of council is largely determined by the quality of listening in the circle.

  •   Listening from the heart invariably helps the listener feel more connected to the speaker, even if

    there is strong disagreement.

  •   Train the whole body to listen more consciously through persistent self-witnessing.

  •   Imagine that the speaker’s words are entering your mid-chest area rather than your ears, and take a

    few deep breaths wile holding the image.

  •   Listening from the heart is energizing. If you find yourself growing restless or bored, you’re

    probably not listening devoutly.

  •   One of the few acceptable interruptions is “Can you please speak up?”

    Being of Lean Expression

  •   Be brief.

  •   Council is an excellent arena to improve one’s ability to be concise and to find words and images

    that enliven our stories and statements.

  •   The underlying challenge is to find a means of expression that serves both the teller and the circle.

  •   Leader must make the theme of the council “crystal clear” from the beginning. Restate the theme

    as a question with people adjacent to you before beginning.

  •   Is there a willingness to give honest reflection to those who ramble?

  •   Sometimes long stories will induce a shared surrender that may produce a new understanding of

    the story’s meaning or bring about a new ending for the teller.

    Spontaneity

  •   Set the intention to not rehearse what is to be said.

  •   Preparing an agenda while others are speaking limits the ability to listen attentively and to speak

    from the heart.

  •   Spontaneity allows one’s more intuitive voice to speak.

  •   Hold the stick silently for a short while and let the presence of the circle and the moment evoke

    what needs to be said.

  •   This dissolves habitual reactions and attachment to long-held positions.

  •   Trust that you will say exactly and uniquely what the circle needs to hear from you in that

    moment.

  •   Perseverance leads to the realization that everything that feels important at the time does not have

    to be spoken.

  •   Question to ask self: Will speaking this serve me, serve the circle, or serve the greater good?

Joni Stone