Healing Circles

Mission

"To increase the accessibility of alternative approaches to individual and community well-being in Houston and neighboring cities, utilizing a combination of virtual and in-person healing circles." We are changing the narrative about folks sucked into the system "and providing access to real paths of reconciliation."

We can call out wrong AND walk with people "towards restoration."

VISION

We envision a world where Healing Circles serve as a powerful means to address our fundamental human needs for safety, love, belonging, self-esteem, self-actualization, healing, and personal growth. Circles become the collective vehicle for navigating and healing from the deep wounds of racial and social trauma. While this journey requires a collaborative effort, it also necessitates individualized inner guidance nurtured within these healing circles.

Through this collective growth and introspection, we strive towards embodying the essence of "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" - the understanding that our humanity is intertwined, and each person's worth is derived from the interconnectedness with others. As we recognize and honor the humanity of one another, we come to embrace our own humanity fully. In this vision, Healing Circles become a transformative force that propels us towards a harmonious and interconnected world, where empathy, compassion, and understanding reign supreme.

Origin

Healing circles are recognized as a modern form of restorative practice. Restorative Practices encompass the science of relationships and community, forming a branch of Restorative Justice. Unlike punitive approaches, Restorative Justice focuses on restoring individuals, communities, and families following harm committed within the community. It acknowledges that we, as human beings, have a natural inclination to connect with others and have needs beyond basic necessities like food, water, and shelter – the need for meaningful and strong relationships with one another.

Healing circles serve as a valuable tool within restorative practices, creating an environment that fosters healing when harm is caused. While the modern understanding of healing circles has emerged, its origins can be traced back to Native cultures. Over time, this practice has been adapted and integrated into various forms, including within the framework of restorative practices and restorative justice.

Uses

Healing Circles, with their diverse and versatile applications, offer many benefits that can be harnessed across various settings. Whether in community or corporate environments, the power of Healing Circles lies in their adaptability to suit specific goals and objectives.

In educational settings, Healing Circles have proven invaluable in fostering conflict resolution and nurturing trust among students and faculty. By providing a safe and supportive space for open dialogue and understanding, these circles contribute to a harmonious and inclusive learning environment. Healing Circles have also found relevance within the legal sphere through the implementation of Sentencing Circles. In cases where a law is broken, rather than resorting to punitive measures, these circles enable the process of restorative justice. By engaging all affected parties, Sentencing Circles facilitate healing, accountability, and rehabilitation, ultimately leading to a more compassionate and just society. Healing Circles extend to family dynamics, offering an opportunity for both immediate and extended family members to come together. By encouraging open communication and emotional healing, these circles strengthen the familial bond and promote a sense of unity and understanding among relatives.

Throughout all these applications, the central focus of Healing Circles remains consistent: to foster communication and facilitate healing. As individuals connect on a deeper level, a powerful ripple effect is set in motion, creating a society where we genuinely look out for one another, akin to being each other's keepers. Embracing Healing Circles as a transformative tool in various settings propels us closer to the realization of a compassionate and empathetic society, where healing, growth, and mutual support thrive.

Purpose

We aim to ground individuals in a restorative practice to help heal generational trauma and produce generational healing. Healing Circles provide an inclusive platform where each individual's voice is granted equal significance in expressing their truths. While these truths may not necessarily align with others' identified perspectives, sharing them is pivotal in fostering a sense of community and establishing a solid foundation for effective communication.

By encouraging participants to speak their truths openly and without judgment, Healing Circles create an environment conducive to empathy, understanding, and mutual support. As diverse perspectives intertwine within the circle, a profound exchange of thoughts and emotions occurs, facilitating genuine connections among participants. Through this empathetic exchange, meaningful communication transcends differences and creates a space for shared experiences and insights. As hearts and minds engage in this transformative dialogue, individuals become receptive to new ideas and perspectives, leading to a potential shift in attitudes and beliefs.

In essence, Healing Circles serve as a catalyst for fostering authentic human connections and generating empathy-driven conversations. These circles become a potent force for driving positive change at the individual level and within the broader community, as hearts are touched, and bonds are strengthened through shared truths and open communication.

In The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace, Jack Kornfield describes an African forgiveness ritual: "In the Babemba tribe of South Africa, when a person acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he is placed in the center of the village, alone and unfettered. All work ceases, and every man, woman, and child in the village gathers in a large circle around the accused individual. Then each person in the tribe speaks to the accused, one at a time, each recalling the good things the person in the center of the circle has done in his lifetime. Every incident, every experience that can be recalled with any detail and accuracy, is recounted. All his positive attributes, good deeds, strengths, and kindnesses are recited carefully and at length. This tribal ceremony often lasts for several days. At the end, the tribal circle is broken, a joyous celebration takes place, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe." This work is about changing the narrative about folks sucked into the system. We can call out wrong AND walk with people to rebuild.