A heart circle practice is a form of group communication and sharing that aims to foster deep connection, empathy, and nonjudgemental presence among participants.
Since it is a form of a sharing circle, people often confuse it for a space of mainly expressing and might think that the focus is on deep sharing. It is that too, but it is even more a practise of deep listening. In a heart circle we always spend more time listening than talking.
From one side, it provides a safe and sacred space for individuals to express their feelings, experiences, and vulnerabilities, while being heard and seen by others. What takes main stage though, is actually practising the art of listening without judgement, without needing to answer and fix, without needing to add our own ideas. It is a practise of being fully present with what is.
In a heart circle, participants sit in a circle, creating an egalitarian and inclusive environment where everyone’s presence is valued equally. There are many ways to do the practise and in the beginning the facilitator might establish guidelines to ensure a respectful and confidential space, which may include principles such as confidentiality, introducing a talking stick, giving a time frame, and how to practise maintaining a non-judgmental attitude.
The practice typically involves a structured format where each participant takes turns speaking while others actively listen. The person speaking shares their thoughts, emotions, or personal stories, allowing themselves to be vulnerable and authentic. There is no cross-talk or interruption during someone’s speaking time, allowing them to fully express themselves without interruption.
I’d say the main benefits of a heart circle practice are:
- fostering a sense of connection and empathy
- emotional healing and personal transformation
- learning to really hear others, and self
- creating feelings of validation and safety
- becoming free to express without fear
- discovering our own and other peoples lovability
A lot of practises in the healing field are aimed at figuring out what doesn’t work and how to create a change to make it work. And that is great, cause that’s an important part of healing.
Heart circle, on the other hand, aims at showing us that everything is what it is, and it doesn’t need to be anything other than what it is. Heart circle teaches us that whatever arises in us and others, deserves to be seen exactly as it is. And that is powerfully healing.
