From there, to here

Council is an age-old tribal practice of sitting around the fire and sharing within a circle. The Way of Council is a core practice of the Zen Peacemaker Order and has had significant impact on how many sanghas in the White Plum are organized and practice Zen. Council can be an integral aspect of Zen training and practice. Council hones our capacity to bear witness to our many selves, listen deeply, speak from the heart, and plunge into our shared experience of life. It can foster relationships, perspective-taking, and strengthen community.

This 2-day training can be in the form of a retreat. It is organized in three parts. Part 1 introduces and orients participants to spirit of Council. Part 2 explores the basics of Council, facilitation, and ways of keeping Council alive. Part 3 reviews how to practice in the shadows, with power and cultural dynamics, and the limitations of Council. There can be 5-15 participants per training. Each participant will receive a White Plum Council Handbook, an incentive to facilitate Council certificate, and Council’s Facilitator’s Quick Sheet as part of the curriculum. A draft of a schedule and outline of the training sessions is listed below.

Council Learnings:

• Understand the history, purpose, ritual aspects, spirit, and gathering of group wisdom.

• Explore the basics of Council (e.g. history, purpose, ritual, set-up, styles, guidelines, Three Tenets, facilitation, and aliveness.)

• Learn how to read the field, address shadows, work with power & cultural dynamics.

• See the limitations of Council (e.g. it’s not for direct communication, grievance processes, group therapy, decision-making, etc.)

Early Bird Special before June 19

Nonmembers Early Bird: $ 199, Members Early Bird: $179
After June 19 – Nonmembers: $225, Members: $199

Retreat is In-person Only

Facilitator: Sensei Jitsujo T. Gauthier

Participants receive: 1) White Plum Council Handbook, 2) Incentive to Facilitate Certificate, and 3) Facilitator’s Quick Sheet

Training Schedule:

Schedule: begins Friday, July 24 @ 7:00 PM; Ends Sun. July 26 @ 4 PM

FRIDAY
7-9 PM. Introduction to Council + Welcome

SATURDAY
7-7:50 AM. Morning Meditation
8:00 Breakfast
9-12 PM. Training Session 1
12:15. Lunch + Rest
2-5 Training Session 2
4-6 Exercise, Walk, Stretch, Rest
6:00 Dinner
7:30-9 Evening Council
10 Sleep

SUNDAY
7-7:50 AM Morning Meditation
8:00 Breakfast
9-12 PM Training Session 3
12:15 Lunch + Rest
1:30-3:30 Training Session 4
3:30-4 Clean-up & End

Training Session Outline (curriculum will be adjusted to suit your Zen Center’s needs)

Introduction to Council:

• History & Purpose of Council

• Council as Ritual

• Spirit of Council

• Allowing the Wisdom of the Group

Training Session 1: The Basics

• Council Set-up, Guidelines, and Styles

• Council Facilitation

• Keeping Council Alive

Training Session 2: Intimacy and Playfulness

• Council Games

• The Three Tenet in Council

• Deepening in Council

Training Session 3: Working with Shadows

• Reading the Field

• Addressing the Shadow and Turning into the Skid

• Working with Power & Cultural Dynamics

Training Session 4: Limitations

• Limitations of Council (e.g., NOT direct communication, grievance process, group therapy, an effective

form of decision making, etc.)

• Other Effective modes of Decision-making, Nonviolent & Cross-cultural Communication