Guide to participate in meetings

Welcome

If you are reading this guide, you are probably about to participate in one of our meetings, or are thinking about it. Either way, we're glad you're here.

This is a brief guide, designed for those who participate. There is no need to study it: it only serves to give you an idea of ​​what to expect, so that you arrive calmly and experience the meeting without any pending doubts.

The most important thing you should know already is this: you don't have to prepare, you don't have to be "good", you don't have to know anything beforehand. You just have to come.

1 · What is a meeting (and what it is not)

Our meetings are monthly afternoons of shared practice: a space where we meet, in person, to dedicate a little time to ourselves and our own inner growth, in the company of other people seeking the same thing.

They are free, open to all, and guided by people in the community who do it out of passion, not work.

To be clear from the beginning, this is what a meetingNois:

• It is not a therapynor a substitute for a psychological process. It is a space for practice and exchange between equals, not a place for treatment.
• It is not a traditional course, with a permanent teacher and a program to follow. The heart of the meetings remains shared practice, exchange and participation among equals. On some occasions we may invite speakers or experts on specific topics to offer a presentation, share knowledge or propose useful tools for personal growth.
• It is not religiousnor is it linked to a specific spiritual school. We welcome people of any faith and no faith.
• It is not a commitment.Come whenever you want, when you can. Nobody keeps track of attendance.
• No experience required.Whether you have meditated for twenty years or have never done so, you are in the right place.

What an encounter is, however, is simple: a moment of pause and presence, in which to slow down, breathe, listen to yourself and listen, in a welcoming space without judgment.

2 · How a meeting goes

Each meeting is a little different, because each city and each organizer have their style, and each month has its theme. But the background structure is almost always this, and lasts in total about an hour and a half/two hours:

Reception.You arrive, you greet, you settle in. There are a few minutes to get settled, without rushing. If it's your first time, tell your host: they will make you feel comfortable.

Theme of the month.Each month a different theme is explored: silence, relationships, letting go, gratitude, meditation and many others. Depending on the topic, the meeting may include brief reflections, practices, readings, exercises, presentations or small workshops. If you talk about meditation, for example, a guided practice or an exchange of experiences on the topic may be proposed.

The exchange between the participants.During the meeting there is space to share what one knows, has experienced or has discovered about the topic of the afternoon: personal experiences, practices, books, reflections, questions or useful tools. It is not necessarily a structured sharing circle and no one is obliged to intervene: you can talk, ask questions or simply listen.

The infusion.It closes with something hot to drink and an informal chat. It is the moment when the group gets to know each other, without structure, calmly. You can stay or go, as you prefer.

3 · The first time: some things that help

If this is your first encounter, here's what's helpful to know:

Come as you are.There is no correct clothing, you don't need to bring anything. At most, dress comfortably, because you will be sitting, sometimes on the floor on a cushion (but usually there are chairs too).

You can come alone.Most people come alone the first time. We are all in the same situation, and it is easier than you think.

Arrive a few minutes early, if you can.It gives you time to calmly settle in instead of rushing in. If you arrive late, enter with discretion: better to be late than not to come.

You don't have to talk if you don't want to.You can live the entire meeting listening, without saying a word. It's perfectly fine like this.

turn off the phone, or put it silently and to the side. It's a small gesture that helps everyone be truly present.

Don't expect anything specific.Sometimes an encounter leaves you with something great, sometimes just an hour of calm. Both things are fine. It is not a performance test, there is no result to achieve.

4 · The exchange circle

It is the most characteristic moment of our meetings, and for some the most intense. It is worth explaining it well.

In the circle, whoever wants can share with the group what they have felt, thought or experienced during the meeting. It is not a debate, it is not a conversation: it is a space in which everyone can say their thing, and others listen.

The rules of the circle are few and important:

• Speaking is a possibility, not an obligation.You can share or stay silent. Passing the turn is fully accepted and no one will ask you why. Many people, the first few times, just listen, and it's perfect that way.
• You listen without judging and without responding.When someone speaks, there is no comment, no advice is given, no correction is made. It is welcomed. Everyone is free to feel what they feel, without anyone telling them if it is right or wrong.
• What is said in the circle, stays in the circle.Confidentiality is sacred. What people share is not told outside, it is not commented on later, it is not taken somewhere else. It is this trust that makes the circle a safe space.
• You talk about yourself, not about others.One shares one's own experience, one does not talk about the life of those who are present or absent.

If in a circle you feel emotion, even strong, that's okay. It happens, and it's human. Whoever drives knows how to welcome it with delicacy. And if you prefer not to expose yourself, we repeat: listening is already participating fully.

5 · How we live together well

Our meetings work because they are based on mutual respect. You don't need many rules, a few are enough, and they apply to everyone:

• Respect and kindness towards anyone, always.People different by age, origin, ideas and trajectories meet in the same circle: it is a wealth, and we treat it as such.
• Listen without judgment.We are not here to convince anyone or to be convinced. We are here to listen and listen to each other.
• Confidentiality, as has been said regarding the circle: what is shared stays in the group.
• No proselytizing or selling.The meeting is not a place to promote products, services, therapies or personal convictions. Whoever drives will not sell you anything, and we ask the same of whoever participates.
• Respectful presence.Telephones on silence, attention to who is speaking, care of the space that welcomes us.

If during a meeting something makes you uncomfortable, you can talk about it with the driver at any time, even in private. We care that the space remains welcoming and safe for everyone.

6 · Frequently asked questions

Should I have experience in meditation or personal growth?

No, none. The meetings are designed to welcome both those who are just starting out and those who have been practicing for years.

How much does it cost?

The meetings are free. In some cases there could be a free and voluntary contribution to cover the infusions or the room, but it is never required or obligatory.

Should I sign up?

Normally yes, because places are limited (often around twenty) and registration helps the organizer prepare. You will find the link on the pageyour meeting.

Can I come even if I am going through a difficult time?

Yes, you are welcome. Keep in mind, however, that the meeting is a space for shared practice, not therapeutic support. If you are experiencing serious difficulty, a meeting can keep you company, but it does not replace the help of a professional. If you feel that need, looking for it is an act of self-care, and whoever is driving can help guide you.

What if I don't feel like talking?

Don't talk. Listening is already participating. Nobody will put you on the spot.

Can I bring a friend?

Of course, if there are places. Just make sure he signs up too, so the organizer knows how many people to expect.

What happens if I'm late?

Enter discreetly and join the group. Better to arrive a little late than not to come at all.

Are the meetings always the same?

No. The background structure is similar, but the theme changes every month and each organizer has its own style. It is worth returning several times to discover the different nuances.

7 · After the meeting

If you liked the meeting and want to continue, there are several ways:

Come back to the next one.The simplest way. The meetings are monthly: you will find the dates on the pageyour city.

Join theonline community.In addition to the face-to-face meetings, there is an online space where the community meets between one meeting and another, shares, and keeps each other company. Whoever is driving can tell you how to access it.

Explore theresources.The community makes available content and practices to continue your path also at home.

If one day you want to do more, you should know that this community is made up of people like you, who at a certain point decidedlend a hand. There is no rush or obligation, but the door, whenever and if you want, is open.

Whatever you choose, it's fine. Whether you come just once or become a regular face, you are part of this space the moment you walk through the door.

A note to close

Don't expect an encounter to change your life in a single afternoon. It doesn't work that way, and anyone who promises otherwise is selling you something.

What the meetings offer is simpler and truer: an hour and a half of presence, of listening, of pause in the midst of the hustle and bustle. Repeated over time, with consistency and without pretensions, this simple practice has its own way of working in depth.

Come as you are. That's enough.

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