Empathy Breakout Sessions
Hosted by Teju Ravilochan
Talking about gender can bring up a lot. That’s why we have Empathy Breakouts! They are sacred small-group spaces to speak from the heart and listen deeply to one another, inspired by the group-sharing practice of the Plum Village Zen Buddhist tradition.
They are not recorded and are kept confidential.
We'll start the session with a 5-minute meditation and then invite you to join a breakout room of 5 people. You'll have 35-40 minutes together:
In your 5-person breakout, you’ll introduce yourselves and share an "internal weather report." That's a way of previewing how you're doing without going into details (e.g. "The sun is peeking through the clouds" or "It's dark and stormy.”).
After this, the space is open for anyone to share. The prompt is: "what feels present for you in this moment?"
If you wish to speak, start by folding your palms together and bowing in on camera. Everyone else, seeing you are ready to speak, will bow back to you acknowledging that you have the floor. If you'd prefer to keep your camera off, you can use the prayer hands emoji (or another emoji that feels good to you). Those joining by phone can unmute and say, "I'm bowing in.”
When you speak, speak from your heart. Avoid the abstract or intellectual. Please do not offer advice or reactions to what others have shared. This is a space for us simply to listen deeply.
We ask you to be mindful of the others in the room who may also wish to share (their weather reports may be a clue into their need to share). When you feel complete, bow out and the rest of the group will bow, acknowledging what you shared with gratitude.
Between shares, leave a space of three breaths in honor of what has been shared.
Each of our experiences matter and this space is about honoring that. By participating, you are giving a gift to yourself and to others who join with your truth and your deep listening.
View the schedule to see Empathy Breakout times.