For scholarship information please go to: http://ttscholars.eventbrite.com/

"Teen Talking Circles belong in the category of what we call the intangibles. You can't see or measure intangibles like you can see a building or a monument. The intangibles live inside us and are at the root of what is most important of all."Eric Liu, author, founder Guiding Lights Network, fellow at the New America Foundation, former speechwriter for the husband of Hillary Clinton, and member of the advisory board of Teen Talking Circles

One of the greatest gifts we can give another is the gift of ourselves; quietly, simply, being present and honoring another's humanity. Through our nonjudgmental presence, open mind and open heart we create a spaciousness within which another can hear themselves. When we're not tied to an outcome, trying to control or pressing someone to take our advice, this kind of witnessing and acceptance is one of the most healing experiences possible both for the person sharing, as well as the person listening. Out of this exchange new insights and wisdom are possible; realizations and answers come naturally from the inside out, which is the root of real and lasting transformation.

Eckhart Tolle talks about the value of being able to sit alone quietly with oneself and listen into consciousness as it awakens us to our purpose and potential. In the best of circle experience, we find that this same quality of consciousness is amplified through the compassion and focused attention of each member of the circle stimulating the emergence of collective wisdom and new ideas. This same experience happens at our trainings.

Imagine you had a safe place, a confidential, intimate space where you felt free to be yourself with people who accept you for who you really are and are willing to work out relationship issues as they come up – a space where you were free of unnecessary fear of judgment, criticism or rejection. Where you didn’t need to hide behind a false front or mask what you are going through or how you were feeling. Now imagine you are sixteen years old and have a space like this. How would it have change your life? How might it change the world?

Teen Talking Circles started in 1993 with a 10-week focus group of teen girls that turned into a two-year circle and included several day-long GenderTalks with teen guys as well as a young men’s talking circle. Seventeen years later, we have produced three highly valued books, dozens of important interviews with world leaders and consciousness shapers, and hundreds of workshops, trainings, retreats and circles around the world for others to replicate what we've done. Today, Teen Talking Circles, and talking/listening circles in general, are recognized worldwide as one of the most important social technologies available for people of any age.

In this training you will learn the art of circle facilitation from the people who have been in and leading circle for nearly two decades. You’ll learn by experience, the best way of all, how it feels to be part of a circle -- how to create safe space, sacred space, set intentions, lead check-in, and teach others essential listening and conflict resolution skills. You'll learn how to lead exercises and processes that open the heart, free up energy, and create better relationships, and healthier lives.

"The circle is not a solution to our problems nor is it a magic wand that makes all our problems instantly better. It is more like a missing piece of social technology, which enables us to tap into a capacity for wisdom, collective support, and insight that lays dormant and unused in all of us... it is an intentional process which creates a sacred space that helps to lift barriers between people and open up fresh possibilities for connection, collaboration, and mutual understanding." Roca

Co-Facilitating this training are Linda Wolf, co-founder and director of Daughters Sisters Project and founder/executive director of Teen Talking Circles, and Genevieve Wolf Smeeth, who was herself a youth member of a Girl’s Circle through middle and high school, and is now a co-facilitator of the Bainbridge Island Girl's Talking Circle and co-leader of Women’s Sacred Circle Retreats with her mother, Linda.

Also assisting at this workshop are teens from our local circles who will be on hand one day to share their personal experience, demonstrate specific processes and exercises, and answer questions. We also have scheduled a special guest speaker, Fredrick Matteson, suicidologist and founder of Contextual-Conceptual Therapy with over 23 years experience being in dialogue with over 15,000 suicidal clients in 1:1 and group therapy. For more information about Fredric, see: http://www.ContextualConceptualTherapy.com

After the training and for as long as you are a member of TTC, you will have access to those of us in the home office, as well as facilitators around the world through our interactive website, blogs, facilitator gatherings, and conference calls. We are here to help you be as successful as possible in starting and running your own Teen Talking Circle, and/or using our model in your programs.

TTC Trainings are held in a private home on Bainbridge Island, Washington, a ferry ride from Seattle. They are limited to 13 people max including the two facilitators. So early bird sign up is recommended to assure your space. This comfortable setting, in a rural environment, near the state park and beach, allows for plenty of walking and ruminating in nature. Bring your tennis shoes, Tevas, or flip flops depending upon the time of year!

Whether you are paying Full Fee or have received a scholarship your fee covers yummy, healthy meals (as organic, locally grown, homemade as possible, with vegan/vegetarian options), and all materials including our new Handbook, Speaking and Listening from the Heart, and documentary DVD.

The above fees do not cover lodging. We recommend people find their own lodging on Bainbridge Island, with friends, or at local bed & breakfasts or hotels. Contact us for assistance.

In some scholarship cases or special circumstances we will do our best to help you lodge close by with friendly neighbors who will be glad to offer you a guest room at no charge, or at last option we'll find a space in our home for you to stay.

Linda Wolf is a photographer as well as the founder of Teen Talking Circles. TTC grew out of the Daughters Sisters Project which was born in 1993 as part of research for the book Daughters of the Moon, Sisters of the Sun, a book for teen girls, which was inspired by her daughters. She is also the co-author of Global Uprising: Stories from a New Generation of Activists, a book about youth activism world wide. Linda is also a certified facilitator of Compassionate Listening. For more information about Linda Wolf, see her bio on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Wolf

Compassionate Listening is a service mark of the Compassionate Listening Project. For more information about Compassionate Listening, contact compassionatelistening.org.

If you would like to order copies of our books go to: http://ttcpbooks.mollyguard.com

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TeenTalking Circles is a 501C-3 nonprofit organization. Today, there are circles inspired by TTC worldwide, and branch representatives in Boulder, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Lopez Island, Washington; Yelapa,Mexico; Culver, Indiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Lagos, Nigeria; and Mumbai, India to name a few --with more starting each year.

We are deeply grateful to the ancestors of many indigenous cultures and women's sacred traditions for their parts in the birthing of circles as a healing process.

For more information please use the contact link below, or call 206-842-3000