A Safe Arena

The PAX Circle experience will have little effect on us if we leave our egos outside the room while we access Self. (Ego refers to anything carried within us which is not the Self.) It is important that we bring to the group all our thoughts, all our feelings, all those things we believe are us. This is the place to discover, in the atmosphere of unconditional love and support, what is truly part of us and what is not. And, with that knowledge, all things are possible. The PAX Circle becomes the safe arena where we can release our fears and defenses and become comfortable in acknowledging and expressing our highest.

How to Start a PAX Circle
Take the time now to be still and listen to the inner answers to these questions. Write down the thoughts and feelings that come up in response to these questions

• My vision of myself and my purpose is. . .?
• My purpose for participating in a PAX Circle is . . . . ?
• The people with whom I feel the most resonance are. . .?
• The groups to which I already belong that might be interested in participating in the PAX Circle are. . .?

Making the Commitment
You can begin sharing your interest in forming a PAX Circle with the groups or individuals who have come to mind from the above exercise. It is important not to convince someone to join the group if he or she has reservations about such a commitment. Everyone choosing to participate in the group must do so for himself, not as a favor to, or on the advice of someone else.

The ideal number for a PAX Circle is difficult to prescribe. It becomes a question of trust to know that those who are to be a part of each group will find their way to that group. Four to twelve people are most typical; eight to ten is probably ideal. Many more than that makes it difficult for the deeper sharing and bonding that is the intended goal.

Assuring Success
Once the Circle has come together, there are certain basic components that support its success:

To begin the process, it's important that one person take the initial responsibility. The person with the most enthusiasm and experience in facilitating circles may want to focalize the first few meetings until the group feels confident in rotating the leadership.

In this process, everyone takes full responsibility for the success of the circle. Each person speaks up when something is not working for him personally or for the circle. Individuals tell the truth to serve the larger whole. Each member has an opportunity to learn to be as honest as possible in the moment with himself and each other. Thus the PAX Circle fosters full self-expression.