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This document is a provisional draft written before the formal establishment of the first circle.
It defines the initial structure for collective refinement.
Upon founding, the circle will review, amend, and formally adopt or reject each section.

How to Create a New Circle

Purpose

This guide provides practical steps for founding a new practice circle. It walks you through preparation, member gathering, first meeting, and ongoing establishment.

Whether starting an In-Person Fixed Circle, Online Ad Hoc Circle, or exploring Solo Practice, this document offers guidance aligned with our core principles.

Before You Begin

1. Clarify Your Intention

Ask yourself: - Why do I want to start a circle? - Am I seeking personal practice support, community, or both? - What format serves this intention? (Solo, Online Ad Hoc, or In-Person Fixed) - Am I willing to commit to the facilitator role initially?

Important: Starting a circle is not about being an expert or teacher. You're inviting people to practice together, not to follow you.

Phase 1: Preparation

Choose a Format

Decide which format you're starting: - In-Person Fixed Circle: Requires space, 6–10 committed members, weekly meetings - Online Ad Hoc Circle: Requires video call platform, flexible schedule

Secure a Space (for In-Person Circles)

Requirements: - Quiet, private, and accessible - Large enough for 6–10 people standing with arms' width clearance - Minimal distractions (no foot traffic, loud neighbors, etc.) - Available consistently at the same time weekly

Options: - Community centers - Yoga studios (off-hours) - Private homes (if space permits) - Religious/spiritual centers (if non-denominational use allowed) - Coworking spaces (after hours)

Cost: Aim for free or low-cost. If rental is needed, plan how costs will be shared transparently.

Set a Time

  • Fixed schedule: Same day, same time, every week
  • Duration: 60–90 minutes
  • Test for conflicts: Avoid major holidays, work schedules

Prepare Materials

  • Timer/phone with timer (for practice sessions)
  • Copy of Manifesto (printed or digital access)
  • Attendance sheet template
  • Contact list for members

Phase 2: Gathering Members

How Many People?

  • Minimum: 3 members (provides stability when people miss sessions)
  • Maximum: 10 members (when exceeding 10, split into two autonomous circles)
  • Starting point: Aim for 6–8 to allow room for growth

Finding People

Personal Networks: - Friends who've expressed interest in meditation, mindfulness, or personal development - Colleagues seeking practices outside work identity - Existing meditation or spiritual communities (if open to new formats)

Public Invitation (use carefully): - Community bulletin boards - Online local groups (Meetup, Facebook, neighborhood forums) - Yoga studios, wellness centers

What NOT to do: - Don't oversell or make promises about outcomes - Don't position yourself as a teacher or guru - Don't require shared beliefs or backgrounds

First Conversation (Individual or Small Group)

When someone expresses interest, have an honest conversation:

Explain clearly: - "This is a weekly commitment to practice attention together." - "We stand in silence for 40 minutes, then reflect briefly." - "There's no teacher, no dogma, no hierarchy." - "We share roles and decisions transparently."

Share the documents: - Send them the Manifesto and relevant how-to guides - Ask them to read before committing

Ask questions: - "What brings you to this?" - "Can you commit to weekly attendance?" - "Are you comfortable with shared governance?"

Be honest about what you don't know: - "This is new for me too." - "We'll learn together and adapt."

Forming the Initial Group

Once people have committed: 1. Send a calendar invite with first meeting date, time, location 2. Share all core documents via email or shared folder 3. Ask everyone to read the Manifesto and Practice Introduction before the first meeting 4. Set expectations: "First meeting is about starting, not perfection."

Phase 3: First Meeting

The first session sets the tone. Keep it simple, honest, and aligned with the structure.

Before People Arrive

  • Arrive early to set up the space
  • Test the timer
  • Have notebooks/pens ready
  • Display or print the session structure (if helpful)

Opening the First Session (15 minutes)

1. Welcome and Context (5 min)

Speak simply:

"Welcome. This is our first session as a practice circle. We're here to train attention, honesty, and compassion. We're all beginners at this specific format, including me. There's no teacher here. We'll learn together.

I've prepared based on the Manifesto, but after today, we'll decide together how to proceed. For now, let's follow the basic structure."

2. Brief Introductions (10 min)

Each person states (no discussion):

"My name is [name]. I'm here because [brief reason]."

Keep it short. No commentary or questions yet.

Practice Session (30-40 minutes)

1. Explain Standing Meditation (5 min)

Read or paraphrase from Foundation Practice: - Stand with feet shoulder-width apart - Arms relaxed at sides (or hands gently folded) - Eyes may be open (soft gaze downward) or closed - Attention on the body, breath, or simply being present - When attention wanders, notice and return (this is the practice) - Sitting is allowed if standing is not possible

2. Set the Timer (35 minutes suggested for first session)

"We'll practice for 35 minutes. I'll keep time. If you need to sit or adjust, do so quietly. Let's begin."

3. Practice in Silence

  • One person (facilitator for now) keeps time
  • No guidance, music, or speaking during practice
  • Just silence and presence

4. Close the Practice

When timer ends:

"The practice is complete. Take a moment, then we'll reflect."

Closing (15-20 minutes)

1. Written Reflection (5 min)

Online - What did I notice? - What challenged me? - What intention arises for next week?

Explain: "Sharing is optional. Writing is for you, but it helps to have a record."

2. Sharing (5-10 min, optional)

"If anyone wants to share something from their reflection, please do. No commentary or advice — just listening."

3. Practical Next Steps (5 min)

Address: - Next meeting: Confirm date, time, location - Roles: "We need a facilitator. These rotate. I'll do it next week, but we should rotate starting soon." - Documentation: "We'll track attendance and reflections simply. I'll set up a basic system and share." - Questions: Open for brief practical questions

4. Closing Gesture

"Let's close with a brief bow or moment of acknowledgment."

A simple bow or silent pause together.

Phase 4: Establishing the Circle (Weeks 2-12)

Week 2-4: Clarifying Structure

Second Session: - Follow the same structure - Begin discussing role rotation: Who will facilitate next? - Start attendance tracking: Simple log of who attended - Create a communication channel: Email list, Signal group, or similar

Third Session: - First role rotation: New person facilitates, someone else keeps time - Review the Manifesto together briefly (10 min before or after practice) - Discuss: "Is this structure working? What needs adjustment?"

Fourth Session: - Establish decision-making process: Read Decision Meeting Protocol together - Begin documentation: Decide how to store reflections and attendance (shared folder, notebook, etc.)

Week 5-8: Deepening Commitment

By now the circle should: - Have rotated facilitator role at least twice - Have established clear communication method - Have attendance tracking system - Have basic documentation structure

Check-in on: - Is everyone maintaining daily practice between sessions? - Are people comfortable with the silence and structure? - Are there any conflicts or unclear expectations?

Consider: - Introducing formal review of the Manifesto: Does this document reflect our intention? Should we propose any adaptations?

Week 9-12: Becoming Autonomous

By the third month: - All roles (facilitator, scribe, treasurer if applicable) have rotated at least once - Attendance patterns are clear (who's committed, who's uncertain) - First quarterly role rotation is planned - Circle has addressed any early conflicts or questions

Key milestone: Hold a formal review meeting: - "Has the circle served our intention?" - "Do we want to continue?" - "Should we adjust anything based on experience?" - "Are we ready to connect with the broader federation?"

Phase 5: Connecting and Contributing

Joining the Federation

Once your circle is stable (typically after 3 months):

1. Announce your circle (optional but recommended): - Open a GitHub issue on the repository: "New Circle Formed — [Location/Name]" - Share: - How long you've been meeting - Number of members - Format (in-person, online, etc.) - Any early learnings or adaptations - No obligation to share private details, just let others know you exist

2. Request repository access (if interested): - Circles are invited to participate in governance - See How We Change for process - One or more members from your circle can become reviewers/contributors

3. Share learnings: - What worked in your founding process? - What would you do differently? - What questions remain?

Supporting Future Circles

As your circle matures, consider: - Offering to mentor new circles in your area - Hosting an Open Ad Hoc Session for people to try the practice - Contributing to documentation improvements - Participating in peer review of proposed changes

Common Questions

"What if we can't find 6 people?"

  • Start with Solo Practice and invite people as you meet them
  • Try an Online Ad Hoc Circle with lower commitment threshold
  • Attend or start a drop-in group first to build relationships
  • 6 is ideal for stability, but 4-5 can work initially

"What if someone wants to leave after a few weeks?"

From the Conflict Resolution guide:

"Members may leave at any time without stigma or penalty. Leaving is part of growth — freedom is the safeguard of integrity."

  • Normalize leaving as acceptable
  • Ask if they'd share feedback (but don't pressure)
  • Adjust if membership drops below 6 (invite new people or merge with another circle)

"What if there's a conflict?"

Follow the Conflict Resolution guide: 1. Address within the circle through open dialogue 2. If unresolved, mediation by two members from other circles 3. Leaving is always an accepted outcome

Early on: Conflicts often arise from unclear expectations. Revisit the Manifesto together.

"What if we want to change the structure?"

From How We Change: - Small tweaks (timing, location): Decide internally - Structural changes: Test as an experiment, document results - Core principle changes: Requires testing, formal review, and federation input

Remember: One adaptation at a time, never compromising existing principles.

"Do we need to use GitHub or technology?"

Minimum: No. You can run a circle with just: - A space - A timer - A notebook - Email or phone for communication

Recommended: Basic documentation helps with: - Tracking attendance and patterns - Recording anonymized reflections - Sharing learnings with future circles

Full participation: Contributing to the federation and governance requires GitHub access, but many resources exist to help non-technical members learn.

"Can we start without reading everything?"

Minimum required: - Manifesto - Standing Meditation Introduction

Recommended within first month: - How We Change - Decision Meeting Protocol

Over time: - Practice stages (Foundation through Integration) - Appendices and traditions

You don't need to master everything before starting. Circles learn as they practice.

Checklist for Founding Members

Before First Meeting

  • [ ] Read Manifesto and Practice Introduction
  • [ ] Secure a space and set a time
  • [ ] Gather 6+ interested people
  • [ ] Share documents with all members
  • [ ] Prepare materials (timer, notebooks, attendance log)

After First Meeting

  • [ ] Confirm next meeting time/location
  • [ ] Set up communication channel
  • [ ] Begin attendance tracking
  • [ ] Plan first role rotation

First Month

  • [ ] Rotate facilitator role at least twice
  • [ ] Review Manifesto together as a group
  • [ ] Establish documentation system
  • [ ] Check-in on daily practice commitment

First Quarter (3 Months)

  • [ ] All roles have rotated at least once
  • [ ] Hold formal review meeting
  • [ ] Decide whether to continue
  • [ ] Consider connecting with federation

Ongoing

  • [ ] Quarterly role rotation
  • [ ] Regular check-ins on structure and intention
  • [ ] Address conflicts early and honestly
  • [ ] Share learnings with the broader practice circle community

Closing Thoughts

You don't need to get everything perfect. The practice is about learning through doing, not perfecting before starting.

You're not alone. If other circles exist, reach out. If not, you're pioneering — and others will follow.

The documents serve the practice, not the reverse. If something in this guide doesn't serve your circle's intention, propose a change. That's how we evolve together.

Welcome. Thank you for taking this step. May your circle support clarity, honesty, and compassion in ordinary life.

Additional Resources

This document is itself subject to revision. If you found this guide helpful or confusing, please propose improvements through the process described in How We Change.