Tips for Group Discussion
Here are suggestions for facilitating a fruitful, comfortable group discussion after viewing a Seeds of Compassion event.
- Move into a circle to promote a sense of community. If the group is large, create circles of 4 to 8 people.
- Distribute copies of questions ahead of time so other participants can help lead the discussion.
- Ask people to briefly introduce themselves—for example, they might say their name, where they are from, and what brought them to the viewing party.
- Encourage everyone to share in the conversation with an understanding that all comments are valid and valued. Also mention that it is fine for a person to “pass.”
- Emphasize that silence is a vital part of the process and that a comfortable silence might occur between individual comments.
- Emphasize the importance of confidentiality in fostering open dialogue and that participants should ask permission if they want to share another person’s story outside of the group.
- Ask participants to allow each other to speak without interruption.
- Make sure that everyone is heard before anyone speaks a second time.
- What struck you the most about the event you just saw? What impact will it have on your role in your community and how you engage with others?
- How did the event deepen your understanding of compassion?
- In what ways do you currently extend compassion to yourself and others? In what ways could you improve?
- When is it most difficult to be compassionate? How can this be addressed using what you just learned?
- Share one way in which you intend to put these lessons into action in your home, school, workplace, or community in the coming week.
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