Prepare the Venue
Remember to buy fruit and tea to serve to the attendees. Take a picture of the receipt and send it to Samaj (48400182) to get reimbursed via Vipps. You can also request the exact amount in advance.
Arrive Early (1 Hour Before)
Unlock the venue, set up the sidewalk sign (if available) outside to make it easy to find. Hang the Vipps sign at the entrance.
Light some candles and create a calming atmosphere with music. If you're unsure what to play, you can use this playlist. We use soft, dim lighting when holding the circle.
Arrange comfortable pillows and blankets for seating and create a circle.
We always start with a main circle and then break into smaller groups after the introduction. Each circle should have about 8 people.
Create a simple altar with candles in the middle of each circle and ensure there's an object for speaking. Have tissues available, as emotions may come up.
Registration at the Door. Use a tablet or mobile device to set up the registration form in WIX.
If you're a member of Humanistene (where membership is free), there’s no charge. If you're not, it's donation-based, with a suggested donation of 50,-. This goes directly towards venue rental or volunteer events. HeartCircles for students are always free.
If you're unsure where to find any of these items or how to play the music, call your city coordinator or project manager Anna at 97919064.
Delegate to co-hosts and guests
We always delegate three tasks if possible: someone to arrange snacks, someone to greet attendees, and someone to help set up the room with the participants. Participants are encouraged to contribute, as this creates a sense of community and co-creation. The circle facilitator should not do everything alone.
Attendees may feel nervous or reserved, especially if it's their first time. Warmly welcome everyone to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Starting the circle
We usually wait 10-15 minutes before starting the circle to accommodate late arrivals. Use this manual strictly, keeping it in front of you during the introduction. Ensure you do not take on a role but remain yourself to maintain the authenticity principle.
Below are the points to present:
Introduction
-
Start by introducing yourself.
-
Share a bit about why you're here and why you believe the Humanist Heart Circle is needed in society.
Talk About Authenticity and Vulnerability
This is the core of the Heart Circle. Authenticity is about removing our masks and being transparent—honest and showing who we are. Vulnerability is about putting down our shields and daring to share what’s deep inside us. By practicing these two principles, we create the space for deep and nourishing connections with others.
Practical Information
Give a brief overview of what will happen:
-
We’ll go through the guidelines explaining how the circle works.
-
We’ll cover the rules to ensure the space is safe for sharing.
-
We’ll have a group meditation to center ourselves, moving from our heads to our hearts.
-
After that, we’ll split into smaller groups, with each group consisting of about 8 people.
How the Circle Works
A heart circle is a sharing circle where we sincerely express how we feel in our lives right now. We speak from our emotions.
-
We have a “talking object” that we pass around clockwise.
-
Sharing is not mandatory. When the talking object comes to you, you can choose to remain silent or pass it along.
-
Whoever holds the object can speak, while the rest listen attentively.
Active listening means giving our full attention with respect and empathy. We do not judge the speaker or our own feelings that arise; we simply hold space. We don't comment on what the person says or try to fix anything. If something resonates, we can either place a hand on our heart to show solidarity or hum “mmm” to let the person know you relate.
-
After each sharing, we take a collective deep breath and sigh.
-
If you're used to taking a lot of time when speaking, be mindful of how long you talk. If you find it challenging to take up space, take more time. The maximum time per participant is 10 minutes.
-
After sharing, try to sit with the silence for a while. This helps you feel that others are with you in what you are experiencing.
Rules
Explain that we have two types of rules: soft rules, which offer flexibility, and hard rules, which must be followed to ensure everyone feels safe.
Soft Rules:
-
Speak from the heart: We encourage sharing from the heart and avoiding intellectualization. This means focusing on how you feel rather than analyzing, rationalizing, or discussing concepts that distract from your personal experience.
-
Try to speak in the "I" form rather than "you" or "one."
-
Physical Support: If you feel overwhelmed, it’s okay to ask for support from others, either by someone sitting near you or offering physical contact (like placing a hand on your back). Either the circle facilitator will ask if you need support, or you can request it.
Hard Rules:
-
No phones or distractions: To ensure presence, phones and other distractions should be put away for the entire circle.
-
Don’t comment on others' sharing: Be a good listener. Show presence by focusing on the speaker. After the circle, you can ask someone if it’s okay to discuss what they shared, but respect their wishes if they decline. Always ask and say thanks if the answer is no.
-
Confidentiality: What is shared in the circle stays in the circle. This is crucial for participants to feel safe.
-
Bathroom breaks: You can go to the bathroom between sharings. Leave quietly without disturbing others.
-
This is not a therapy room: Read this sentence clearly: “This is a non-therapeutic space. We share our feelings here and now but do not go into detailed stories about severe traumas like suicide, abuse, or violence.” This is important to protect both the participants and volunteers, who are not trained to handle serious mental health issues.
-
Mental Health: If you are severely mentally ill (psychosis, suicidal, schizophrenia, or similar), this is not the right forum. We are a low-threshold offer and cannot handle severe mental health conditions. We recommend seeking professional help if needed.
We all make mistakes, and if something goes beyond the boundaries, we will give you gentle feedback. If the rules aren’t followed after feedback, you may be asked to leave. By respecting the rules, you help us create a safe space where the magic between participants can happen.
FOR EMERGENCY RESPONS PLAN (BEREDSKAPSPLAN) PRESS HERE
Conclusion
End on a positive note: “We, the facilitators, are here to guide, but the magic happens between you. Together, we create a safe and loving space for sharing and presence. Thank you for being here.”
Meditation
We begin the circle with a meditation to create presence and focus. After the meditation, remain silent until the circle starts.
If we need to split into multiple circles, assign each participant a number from 1 to 3. After the meditation, go to your group in silence. The facilitator in each group will start the sharing by introducing themselves and repeating after the circle:
-
Everything is confidential.
-
If you’re curious about what someone shared, ask for permission first.
You can find the meditations in both English and Norwegian here:
