I am a huge believer in the power of group work. I have spent years and years facilitating groups and learning all that I can about creating spaces where people can experience deep connection and transformation. In the fall of 2018, I had the opportunity to attend a magical training with Jalaja Bonheim, PhD, the creator of a group experience called Circlework. In this 6-day facilitator training, participants experience the transformative power of Circlework. Circlework is a group process that supports people in experiencing their unity and interconnectedness in life-changing ways. In the training, we not only learn the tools to create a healing circle, but we also experience them first hand. It is profound, in fact, my experience was so powerful, I just had to come back the following year. This group work was truly nourishing and healing on a very deep level.
Patterns that have kept me stuck personally for years rose to the surface and were transformed. I experienced a sensation of “coming home” to myself. As I moved out of my incessant “thinking” and into my heart, I felt more alive, at ease, and connected to my inner knowing. I also felt deeply connected to the other women in the training, who were able to share their joys, pain and “aha’s” in a space of absolute acceptance and presence. In each of these women, I saw an aspect of myself, and as I felt the love for each of them bubble up, I could also feel the love for those same parts of me.
In the circle, I witnessed each woman move into greater authenticity and connection with herself. As we began to liberate and reclaim parts of ourselves that had been denied, ignored or abandoned, we could all feel our own wholeness and connection to something greater. Finally, we had fun! In the circle, there was space for belly laughter, play, and creativity. I learned that transformation doesn’t have to be so serious.
The experiences I had in these trainings have had a profound effect on so many aspects of my life. I am diligent each day to apply all of the learning from those circles into my work, my relationships, my parenting, etc. Perhaps the biggest shift has been what Jalaja calls shifting from “head thinking to heart thinking”. When we are aligned with our heart, life seems to flow. I have more access to feeling centered, balanced, open and connected. And instead of these qualities being ideas in my mind, they are experiences that my whole being knows and remembers from my time in the circle.
If you are interested in learning more about Jalaja Bonheim or Circlework: www.jalajabonheim.com.
If you are interested in participating in a circle that is informed by the training I received from Jalaja: http://www.carriehaynessharp.com/group-therapy/
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