Guidelines for mindful dialogue

• Invite the presence that can arise in formal meditation practice to intentionally create a space of mindfulness, care, and safety for talking with one another. This is an opportunity to practice mindfulness in the context of a group interaction.

• Allow for a brief pause between sharings. By slowing down the process, we give ourselves the opportunity to become aware of what arises within us at each moment. Try to avoid planning what you are going to say while listening to others.

· Talk about what is alive for you in the moment. Avoid getting into long intellectual or philosophical discussions, or telling long stories.

· Try to talk about your own experience and make sure your questions are about your own practice or the situation of your life.

· Listen deeply, notice what appears when you are listening, and also try to be aware of what is present when you are about to speak.

Be concise in your expression, meaning, keep your attention focused on the topic at hand instead of going off on tangents. This is helpful for those listening and allows time for all voices to be heard.

· If you have already spoken, before sharing again give others the opportunity to share for their first time.

Please refrain from offering advice unless explicitly requested. This ensures safety when sharing.

· Try to make your words truthful, timely, helpful, and express them kindly.

· We look to apply mindfulness to our social and cultural conditioning, creating a space with awareness of the privilege, racism and sexism of white European culture, where people of all genders, ages, social classes, sexual orientations and identities, ethnic origin, religious beliefs and disabilities are welcome.

• The forms of reference chosen by the participants and any other form of inclusive language will be promoted and respected. Anyone who believes that an intervention does not respect these basic principles is encouraged to bring it to our attention so that the situation can be corrected immediately.

To create a safe and trusting environment, it is very important to honor the commitment to confidentiality within the group. If you need to share something with others outside this circle, share things from your own experience and not from other people in this group.