Basic Facilitation Process

This process describes the basic phases that the Social Meditation Facilitator goes through while hosting a practice in the Buddhist Geeks Network.

Please follow these phases as you facilitate a social meditation practice in the Buddhist Geeks Network...

1. The Setup Phase

2. The Practice Phase

3. The Debrief Phase

1. The Setup Phase

Silence

Please spend the first couple of minutes being in Silence, giving a bit of time for folks to arrive & settle. It's fine to be polite and say hello if you see someone who may be new–or to wave, or bow in welcome–just to know that the general intention is of this opening phase is toward settling and stillness.

Quick Check-In

Next, do a Quick Check-In Round, asking everyone to share their 1) Name, 2) Location, & 3) How they're doing in a word or two (ex. "There is anxiety & curiosity" or "There is calm."). The quick check-in round will also give you a chance to do a Tech Check. If there are any tech problems, particularly with people's microphones, let them know, so they can troubleshoot as you move on. If they can't get it fixed before the practice period begins, please invite them to take the role of The Witness. Don't spend a bunch of time trying to troubleshoot, just highlight the issue and move on.

Share the Session Details

Quickly review the plan is for the session. Ex: "We'll begin with some basic instructions on the practice, and then will spend the remaining time doing the practice, leaving a minute or two at the end for a quick debrief."

Review the Instructions

Next, briefly review the basic instructions that you're practicing in this session. If you aren't sure of what they are, or want a refresher, check out this Social Meditation Guide. Let people know what size the practice groups will be, and if there are multiple rounds to the practice, let folks know what those will be, and how long each round will last.

Introduce The Witness & Safety Release Valve

In every session please introduce the option of participating as a Witness. The easiest way for folks to identify themselves as a Witness is to invite them to turn off their video screens if they wish to witness. This way they can choose to enter and the exit the Witness role as they like.

Also remind folks, if you're doing a practice where it makes sense to have a Safety Release Valve–which includes every practice unless otherwise noted in the instructions–and review what words or phrases work to indicate that one is passing.

Ask if there are any Questions

Before beginning the practice phase check to see if there are any remaining questions about how to do the practice (i.e. the instructions). Once all remaining questions have been answered you can begin.

NOTE: Our aim is for the whole process, up to this point, to take 5-10 minutes or so, leaving around 20 minutes of time to practice, and a minute or two at the end for a quick debrief.

2. The Practice Phase

Ring the Bell at the End

At the end of the practice period ring the bell to mark the end of the practice period.

3. The Debrief Phase

Quick Debrief

Ask everyone, as they feel moved, to end with a Quick Debrief, in the form of "There was..." + a note or two on what they experienced during the session. (ex. "There was joy & tension." or "There was sleepiness" or "There was unity, awe, & love.")

Goodbye

After debrief phase–either option–feel free to Say Goodbye however you like!