Dopis o dokončení trenérské cesty, Eva Dittingerová, červen 2024
Am I ready to be a Trainer of Council in the tradition of the Ojai-Foundation?
I´ve been wondering where and when the Trainer´s Path ends for some time already. What does it look like? How will I know it when I get there? Will I ever get there?
From time to time I heard the question I was asking myself “Where are you on the Path?” I know I've walked it, but how do I know what is left?
I started to look around, to see the place where I am at the moment. And as this is about becoming a Council trainer, meaning there will always be me in the circle with others, there is part of the evaluation I can´t do on my own. Everyone in the circle sees a different part of it, right? I started to ask others how they see me. It was not easy to say it out loud for the first time: “I want to see how far I got on the Trainer´s Path and what is left to complete it.”
Among the lessons I learned on my Path I was reminded to be brave and take a risk. Even as a trainer I may still make mistakes so there is no reason to stay in shallow waters. Especially when life is taking us on the open sea.
And thanks to Council I have great ways to navigate myself and others while in unknown or wild water. Listen. Open space for other voices. Stay true to my heart. Witness. Remain silent. Ask. Be not alone.
I learned to give up expectations and aim for perfection. Learned a lot about intentions, hope and mysterious ways.
“You might never feel completely prepared, but you must consent to the journey when ready enough,” resonates with me. I feel ready enough to walk the journey as a Council trainer. What do you see?
What was my intention to step on the Trainers Path in 2019?
I wanted to learn more about Council (esp. its ceremonial aspects and connection with Nature) and learn more about myself. I wanted to explore the connection between Council and drama/theater.
While being on my Path with Council, I´ve been experiencing moments, when my boldest dreams and visions were coming through. Like when I was asked to co-design and co-facilitate happenings as part of events “House of Culture and Hope” (2022) and “House of Culture and Endings”(2023). While creating a circle about moments of living meaningful life, where words of participants were spoken out loud on stage, and participatory debate and ritual in a former shopping mall, I had a good chance to explore what I already know about creating the space for sharing, listening and ritual.
Or guiding a group of young people on their two-day nature walk as a part of their year long learning programme.
Or being invited to collaborate on establishing a brand new course for teachers-to-be at the Faculty of Education (something I noted down as “teaching course based on Council” during mentoring day with Han in 2017).
Council took me to new places and communities and I was supported by the Council during the hardships. Only thanks to what I learned in Council I was able to keep teaching drama class online during pandemic lockdowns. Meeting students on the screen, isolated in their homes and experiencing fear and losses. Starting with sharing in a virtual circle how they are doing allowed us to go on, week after week, sharing at the moment the very precious space of the commune. And then again, when we were back at the school, with a new group of students, after months of isolation, getting used to new faces, new setup. Asking again and again how we are doing, what do we need at the moment, that helped. Would I have the courage to ask these questions, listen to the answers and be ready to adjust my plans without having all my Council experience? I don't think so.
Finding the ways to be a role model of a Council carrier for my community.
With more and more people encountering the Council in the Czech Republic, the meaning of “community” is changing, widening. I wanted to be able to connect people in our circles with the international community of ECN and the lineage of Council in the tradition of Ojai. To be able to introduce them to the circle way I fell in love with. Doing our best to avoid hierarchy, “rules” and manipulation. Remain inclusive and not give up our standards. Be in service. This is an ongoing task.
And the community circle got bigger and there were and are new challenges. Bringing Council to the university classroom, facing suspicious glances of the students and asking myself if Council magic really happens this time again. Staying with the heart qualities while wearing a hat of a university teacher.
Do I know enough? Am I good enough?
I know I know enough to introduce Council to new people, to explore it again and again with them.
I hope I know enough to recognize when it is time to ask for help and guidance.
When I asked if I am ready, what qualities do others see in me and what I am missing, this is what I learned:
“I remember more the feelings about you: peace, wholeness, deliberation. Respect, humanity and empathy. The ability to gently lead and give space. The ability to listen and make it feel like you really understand. Excellent communication. You've certainly moved on over the years. I don't remember anything you missed. For me, the answer is yes - you are ready and you can do enough. I still benefit from that one meeting to this day.”
“You are ready. You can ´read the field´ of the circle very well, you are very sensitive to the group you work with.
You have a large supply of activities that you use flexibly, because preparation is one thing, but the situation and context is another...
What I enjoy is that you manage very well to explain what you want from the participants and what you want to convey to them, in two languages… “
“I already perceived you as ready during the training with Joe. You have great sensitivity for the energy of the circle, humility and the desire to work on yourself, authenticity, and you also have personal charisma.”
“I have experienced you online and in person. It's been a few years, but you managed it calmly, paying attention to what was happening. Present. You explained everything clearly. It was always a very nice experience for me!”
“The strongest things that I remember and that I have vividly connected with you - for me it is like an imprint of the circles in which I sat with you - I would describe with the words/connections authenticity, trust, or the possibility of trust and at the same time the ability of organization. You have always given me the impression that I can trust you - in the sense that it is possible to share with you in a safe space (and I am quite sensitive about this topic), that what you do, you really mean what you do and from the depth of yourself, when I'll say that (that it's really you, not just some role of yours) and at the same time, in my eyes, you were able to grasp it and organize it in such a way that it had the necessary structure/requisites and it worked”
“You were an anchor for me on the courses. The way in which you adapt - to the space, to the participants, to the co-facilitator (simply how you and Helena complemented each other)
It was inspiring to see how you can ask questions, how you reflect on what is happening without putting too much of your own interpretation into it.
I also perceived your sense of humor and the ability to make light of things that needed lightening as an integral part of you.
I also appreciated the lightness of holding the intention, and I always felt honored to be present because it was 'not only' about sharing in the circle, but about connecting with that which transcends us. The way this connection happened in the circles suited me in its naturalness, simple sanctity. Thank you”
“You seemed to have a very good knowledge of how to hold the space of that circle. You offered freedom but highlighted the steps or rules of the circle flow. You seemed to be warm, open and non judgmental towards people's stories.”
“Council belongs to you. When you are in a circle, even just as a participant or a translator, I feel safe because you perceive what is happening in the group, you are like a rock, but accepting.
I found it amazing what I think you feel, but it's like you don't need to share it so much. I don't know, that's my feeling. The feeling of such an inner space, almost a mystery. I like the impression that you don't mind being serious. Serious and real I think can be the same thing.”
Council - Record of Eva Dittingerová
Participating in:
“Living the Circle” with Katrin Lüth and Yvan Rytz, 2014, Czechia
“Heartcore - Council in family and community” with Galit and Shay Hanien, 2015, Slovakia
“Council in Education and Institutions” with Joe Provisor, 2016, Hungary
“Flesh & Spirit. The Mystery of Intimate Relationship” workshop with Galit and Shay Hanien, 2017, Hungary
“The Art of Witnessing” with Rob Dreaming and Yvan Rytz, 2017, Belgium
“A Way of Council Deepening training” with Rob Dreaming and Linda Elias, 2018, Austria
“Living in the Spirit of Council. An Advanced Training” with Gigi Coylee, 2019, Germany
“The Natural Edge” with Rob Dreaming, Krisztina Pastor, Gyula Szabo and Rebecca Card, 2019, Hungary
“Communication: Agent of Change”, 80 hours training in NVC, 2019, Czechia
“Introduction to Circle Ways” with Joe Provisor, 2021, online
“Gestalt theatre in therapy for therapists and educators” with Diego Marín, 2022, Czechia
“Beyond Circle: Advanced Seminar” with Itaf Awad and Jaroslava Vatay, 2024, online /+interpreting/
“Online Introduction to Soulcraft” with Brian Stafford, 2024, online
Organizing, Assisting and Participating in:
“Living the Council” with Han Delissen and Linda Elias, 2017, Czechia
Mentoring Day with Han Delissen, 2017, Czechia
“Council in Education” with Joe Provisor, 2017, Czechia /+interpreting/
Mentoring Day with Joe Provisor, 2017, Czechia
“Deepening training” with Han Delissen and Linda Elias, 2018, Czechia
“Introduction to Restorative Practice” with Joe Provisor, 2019, Czechia
“Council in Education” with Joe Provisor, 2019, Czechia
Mentoring:
I was and I still am learning from the trainers, facilitators, co-facilitators and participants of the circles I am sitting in, receiving a lot from elders and experienced ones as well as from newcomers and students in faculty who do not have an idea what they signed up for and whose curiosity and courage is something I am very much grateful for.
Peer mentoring with Helena Kosková, Jaroslava Vatay, Martina Kurowski and Petra Banďouchová.
Stepping onto the Facilitators Path with Shay Hanien in November 2016, confirmed as Council facilitator in April 2019
Mentored by Joe Provisor in bringing Council to teachers and schools since 2016
Stepping onto the Trainers Path with Linda Elias in November 2019
Quarterly meeting Mentoring circle initiated by Linda Elias, since November 2022
Organizing and Facilitating / Co-Leading:
“Council v Šišce”: open Councils for public in yurt of forest kindergarten, 2014-2019 monthly, since then occasionally with support of co-facilitators Petra Banďouchová, Martin Zahradník, Helena Kosková and Jana Nováková Stará
Council workshop for educators with Helena Kosková, 2016
Council workshop with Helena Kosková, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Learning /in/ circles workshop for teachers with Petra Banďouchová, 2017
Wellness Councils with Jana Stará, 2018, Jana´s article in English
“Council in Forest” retreat with Helena Kosková, 2019
Council workshop for facilitators with Helena Kosková, 2019, 2022, 2023
“Listening in/to Nature” workshop with Jaroslava Vatay and Filip Kňažek, 2019
“Council in mountains” retreat with Helena Kosková, 2020
“Introduction to Council” for Department of Education staff (Faculty of Education, Masaryk University) with Helena Kosková, series of online workshops, 2020
“Council Online” with Helena Kosková, series of online workshops, 2020-2021
“Council in Tipi” retreat with Helena Kosková, 2021
“Council in school” webinars for Slovak teachers, with Hana Růžičková, 2021-2022
“Learning (in) circles” course for teachers to be (Faculty of Education, Masaryk University) with Martina Kurowski, since 2021 (see the article for ECN Newsletter to learn more about bringing Council to faculty)
“Learning (in) circles” workshop (Faculty of Education, Masaryk University) with Linda Elias, 2022 and 2024
“Living the Circle” introduction training with Linda Elias, 2022, Czechia
Council Introductory workshop for Montessori school staff with Martina Nosková, 2023
“A Way of Council Deepening Training” with Rob Dreaming, 2024
Guided pilgrimage with Council for young people for Generace Symbiocén. Academy for change with team of NaZemi, 2024
European Council Network
Media/Newsletter Working group (2017-2019, 2021 - now)
Supporting the online ECN Gathering 2020 as member of organizing “weavers team”
Taking part in Gatherers team for ECN Gathering (2021, 2022)
Supporting the Facilitators on Path in organizing and holding online Councils during initial two years (2020-2022)
Supporting ECN Gathering 2023 in Czechia as part of organizing team
Supporting Czech Council field
Co-administering the Poradní kruh CZ/SK - Way of Council FB Page
Advocating for Council in education (e.g. writing articles for periodical, co-editing the interview with Joe Provisor, co-editing the handout published by Masaryk University)
Supporting forest kindergartens, schools and volunteer organizations in implementing Council and/or facilitating their team meetings (Šiška, Na Větvi, Slunovrat, Brontosaurus, Přeslička…)
Facilitating Councils and workshops in conferences and festivals (Zubštejn času 2018 and 2019, Noc vzdělávání 2022, Edufestival 2022, Hope for Earth Conference 2024…)
Supporting Kateřina Černá in facilitating and holding the women’s circle, meeting monthly (2018-2019)
Mentoring “Mirror of Sport” youth initiative bringing Council into sport clubs (2019-2020)
Taking part in organizational team of online gathering of Czech Council carriers (2020)
Co-facilitating with Rob Dreaming the Facilitators confirmation ceremony for Hana Bernardová and Helena Kosková (2020)
Translating ECN Facilitators Path description into Czech together with Hana Bernardová
Other groups / communities / projects I was / am part of:
participation in Local Exchange Trading System “Rozleť se” in my hometown, supporting connection, gatherings and socially and environmentally friendly exchange of goods and energy, since 2013
Participatory events for public, co-created and co-facilitated with Adam Čajka:
“House of Culture and Hope”. Circle-happening about moments of living meaningful life, Hadivadlo theater, 2022, video
“House of Culture and Endings”. Participatory debate and ritual in former shopping mall, 2023, video
