How to be a Facilitator¶

Holds the frame so others can hold attention.

Purpose¶

The facilitator maintains structure and rhythm during sessions — starting and ending on time, guiding transitions, and protecting the atmosphere of shared attention.

The facilitator is not a teacher or leader.
Their function is to protect the integrity of the practice session: time, rhythm, safety, and respect.

Facilitation is a rotating duty, not a status.
Anyone with basic experience in the Circle's method can serve.

They do not teach or interpret. Their authority is procedural, not personal.

The facilitator holds the frame so others can hold attention.

Duties¶

Prepare the physical or digital space
Open and close with silence
Keep time and session flow
Maintain neutrality and presence
Support group safety and inclusion
Remind participants of documentation steps
Confirm next meeting time and location

Core Responsibilities¶

1. Prepare the space¶

Ensure the room is clean, quiet, and neutral (no symbolic objects or music).
Check lighting and temperature.
Arrange enough space for safe standing with arms extended.

2. Open the session¶

Start on time.
Invite each participant to say one line:
"My name is … Today I'm here for …"
Remind everyone of duration, silence, and right to rest if needed.

3. Keep time¶

Maintain 40 minutes of standing meditation (or agreed duration).
Use a neutral timer sound (no gong apps with "spiritual" branding).
Signal start and end with one calm tone or phrase: "We begin." / "We close."

4. Ensure safety¶

Observe participants discreetly.
If someone sways, trembles, or looks distressed, approach quietly:
Lightly guide them to sit or rest.
Offer water and grounding (simple conversation or walking).
Stop the whole session only if absolutely necessary.

5. Close the session¶

Invite everyone to sit or stand relaxed.
Offer 2–3 minutes of silent transition.
Read a short closing line or quote if desired.
Invite documentation: written reflection or digital log.

6. Record keeping¶

Note date, duration, attendance (first names only), and any incidents.
Upload to the shared ledger or group folder the same day.

Checklist¶

Before the Session¶

[ ] Prepare space or online link (quiet, neutral, stable)
[ ] Check timer and agenda
[ ] Confirm who will scribe and keep attendance
[ ] Clarify whether the session is practice, review, or discernment

During the Session¶

[ ] Begin with silence and check-in round
[ ] Announce practice duration and transitions
[ ] Keep time calmly and accurately
[ ] Maintain neutrality — no teaching or commentary
[ ] Support safety and accessibility

After the Session¶

[ ] End with silence and acknowledgment
[ ] Ensure documentation is completed
[ ] Upload attendance or notes to shared record
[ ] Reflect briefly: what worked, what to adjust

What the Facilitator Does Not Do¶

Interpret experiences ("That warmth means energy moving")
Correct posture unless someone risks injury
Offer therapy or spiritual advice
Dominate debrief discussions
Lead beyond agreed structure

Silence teaches; words can confuse.

Handling Difficult Situations¶

Physical distress¶

Ask quietly: "Would you like to sit or step outside?"
Never physically adjust without consent.
If fainting or strong dizziness occurs:
Support them to sit or lie flat.
Elevate legs slightly if safe.
Offer water, ventilation.
Call emergency services if unresponsive or unsure.
Document the incident immediately.

Emotional release¶

Treat crying, shaking, or tension as natural discharge — not a problem.
Maintain calm presence, avoid analysis.
After session, offer short grounding talk or suggest rest.

Conflict or disruption¶

If someone speaks or moves repeatedly:
Quietly remind: "Please return to silence."
If persistent, invite them to step out until ready.
Document any conflict for peer review.

Ethical Ground¶

Confidentiality
Personal stories shared in debrief stay private.
Only practical feedback is recorded publicly.
Neutrality
Facilitator's opinions, politics, and beliefs stay outside the session.
Rotation
Each Circle member should facilitate at least once per cycle.
If a person resists facilitation repeatedly, discuss in reflection meeting.
Humility
Facilitation is service, not mastery.
When unsure, return to basics: silence, posture, awareness.

Optional Variations¶

Co-facilitation: two people share duties (one times, one observes).
Remote sessions: host via Zoom with cameras optional; same structure.
Outdoor practice: adapt to weather and terrain, maintain quiet.

Reflection After Each Session¶

Facilitators should answer for themselves: - Did everyone feel safe and included?
- Was silence preserved?
- Did I intervene only when necessary?
- What could improve next time?

Upload short notes (2–3 sentences) to the session log.

In Case of Serious Incidents¶

If any event requires medical, psychological, or legal attention: 1. Contact emergency services if needed. 2. Notify two other circles for peer mediation. 3. File a confidential incident report (template provided in Appendix). 4. Review process, not person, in next meeting.

Transparency prevents escalation.
Compassion, not secrecy, maintains trust.

Rotation & Integrity¶

Facilitators rotate every 3–6 months.

Good facilitation disappears into the structure — when the circle forgets there was one, the session worked.

The facilitator's success is measured by absence —
when the group forgets there was a facilitator at all.

Standing meditation teaches self-regulation.
The facilitator's task is simply to make that possible, safely and consistently.