Listening Circle
An event on Thursday 19th June. The event starts at 18:30.
⭐ TOPIC: Honesty and White Lies ⭐
The Listening Circle is intended as a small-scale antidote to the echo chambers and ‘us vs them’ narratives dividing society.
It is a container to discuss a relatable topic, collectively practising active listening and compassionate understanding, especially where there is disagreement: polarity doesn't need to be toxic!
This means simply listening closely without thinking of a response and speaking without attempting to convince others, appreciating the varied perspectives and experiences of those of us living here together in the same city.
It is not a debate: the point is not to 'win', to reach a superficial consensus, or to fall into wishy-washy relativism. Instead, it is to appreciate and practice the healthy tensions of difference, and to leave with seeds of thought that we didn't bring into the space.
⭐ WHAT TO EXPECT ⭐
- A maximum group of 10 people
- A different topic for each week: deliberately open-ended, they are intended to prompt different responses from everyone so that we can expand each other
- A ‘brave space’ for intentional and compassionate discussion, informed by modalities such as Non-Violent Communication, Authentic Relating and Mindfulness
- A semi-structured format that provides space (but not pressure) for everyone to share and feel heard
- Lightness and levity: because good conversations are easier (and more fun!) when we don't take ourselves too seriously and embrace experiment and play
- A final round to reflect on a contribution made by someone else: a seed of thought you are taking with you, whether or not you agree
- Tea, biscuits and watermelon covered by donations
- Time before and after to talk, integrate or awkwardly stare
DATES AND PROVISIONAL TOPICS
- Thursday 19th June: Honesty and white lies
https://hdfst.uk/e131742
- Monday 30th June: Excess and abstinence
https://hdfst.uk/e131785
- Wednesday 9th July: What does progress look like?
https://hdfst.uk/e131786
- Tuesday 5th August: Us and them
https://hdfst.uk/e131787
- Wednesday 20th August: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable...”
https://hdfst.uk/e131788
For more information please visit https://bristollisteningcircle.blogspot.com/2025/06/bristol-listening-circle.html
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
The Listening Circle is intended as a small-scale antidote to the echo chambers and ‘us vs them’ narratives dividing society.
It is a container to discuss a relatable topic, collectively practising active listening and compassionate understanding, especially where there is disagreement: polarity doesn't need to be toxic!
This means simply listening closely without thinking of a response and speaking without attempting to convince others, appreciating the varied perspectives and experiences of those of us living here together in the same city.
It is not a debate: the point is not to 'win', to reach a superficial consensus, or to fall into wishy-washy relativism. Instead, it is to appreciate and practice the healthy tensions of difference, and to leave with seeds of thought that we didn't bring into the space.
⭐ WHAT TO EXPECT ⭐
- A maximum group of 10 people
- A different topic for each week: deliberately open-ended, they are intended to prompt different responses from everyone so that we can expand each other
- A ‘brave space’ for intentional and compassionate discussion, informed by modalities such as Non-Violent Communication, Authentic Relating and Mindfulness
- A semi-structured format that provides space (but not pressure) for everyone to share and feel heard
- Lightness and levity: because good conversations are easier (and more fun!) when we don't take ourselves too seriously and embrace experiment and play
- A final round to reflect on a contribution made by someone else: a seed of thought you are taking with you, whether or not you agree
- Tea, biscuits and watermelon covered by donations
- Time before and after to talk, integrate or awkwardly stare
DATES AND PROVISIONAL TOPICS
- Thursday 19th June: Honesty and white lies
https://hdfst.uk/e131742
- Monday 30th June: Excess and abstinence
https://hdfst.uk/e131785
- Wednesday 9th July: What does progress look like?
https://hdfst.uk/e131786
- Tuesday 5th August: Us and them
https://hdfst.uk/e131787
- Wednesday 20th August: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable...”
https://hdfst.uk/e131788
For more information please visit https://bristollisteningcircle.blogspot.com/2025/06/bristol-listening-circle.html
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
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