Circle Training And The Kool-Aid Effect

Overall, I enjoyed the Circle Training - on both a practical level in regards to facilitating trainings and on a more personal level. I both appreciate and have some challenging thoughts regarding the basics of circle practices: the talking piece and the circle. I can wholeheartedly appreciate both and believe that they can help to facilitate more substantial conversations, peace making, etc. However, I also wonder how much of the belief that talking pieces and circles are essential is more of a drinking the Kool-Aid effect. Generally, I believe both are great and should be used, but I am not sure about them being completely 100% necessary at all times. For example, in the driftwood activity - before I fully understood the importance of the talking piece or circle - the talking piece went around numerous times before we could finally agree on something. …show more content…
And even if the talking piece does go around again until everyone passes, there is still a chance that someone will not say something for fear of being the person to make circle start all over again with passing. I skipped my turn at least once while doing the driftwood exercise when I actually wanted to do something because people in the circle before me had passed and I did not want to be the one to hold up the group. Furthermore, in regards to the circle, while it is more vulnerable to not be sitting behind a table or desk, I believe people should have the choice on how they want to present themselves to the group. I think this is especially important in a society where body image is so important and such a struggle for many