Having a discussion group on Zoom can be a powerful way to foster connection, deepen understanding, and create a sense of community among participants. Here’s how these discussion groups will run smoothly and meaningfully:

We Will Set Clear Intentions for Each Discussion

  - Why it's important: Just like any spiritual practice, setting an intention creates focus and purpose for the discussion. This helps participants know what to expect and keeps the conversation aligned with the boot camp’s themes.

  - How we’ll do it* At the beginning of each session, I’ll share the intention of that week’s discussion. It will always be in alignment with the past week’s lessons, homework, and Seva challenges. We’ll take a moment to reflect on the intention before the meeting. For example, “Today, we’re discussing how we can integrate more mindfulness into our daily lives, and our intention for this discussion is to discover how we can be more mindful more of the time”.

This is a Safe and Supportive Space

  - Why it's important: Participants need to feel safe to share openly without fear of judgment. Building trust is crucial for deep, transformative discussions.

  - How to do it: I’ll start every meeting by reminding everyone about the simple ground rules of every meeting we have: we will listen to each other respectfully without interrupting, we will focus on loving kindness when we speak, and of course - what we share in this space, stays in this space.

  - The goal for everyone not speaking, is to actively listen to without jumping in to solve or give advice unless asked.

We Will Focus On Open-Ended Questions

  - Why it's important: Open-ended questions stimulate deeper thinking and will allow you to reflect on your experiences and insights. They invite more meaningful and varied responses.

  - You will be asked questions like: “How did your spiritual practice shift your daily life this past week?” or “What insights have you gained through the past week’s boot camp homework?” or “What challenges are you facing in living intentionally?”

  I Encourage Everyone to Participate

  - Why it's important: When everyone contributes, the group benefits from diverse perspectives, which deepens the collective learning experience.

  - How to do it: We will be mindful of the balance between talkative and quieter members. If someone is quiet, please feel free to gently invite them to share. We will never force participation. We may break into smaller breakout rooms for more intimate discussions if needed.

We May Use Icebreakers or Fun Activities

  - Why it's important: Icebreakers loosen up the group, making everyone feel more comfortable to share. Fun activities also keep the energy light and joyful, in line with the boot camp’s spirit of community and learning.

  - How to do it: We might start with an easy, engaging activity, such as: “Share one word that describes how you’re feeling today.” or “Tell us one thing you’re grateful for this week.” or “Tell us a miracle that occurred for you this past week.”

We Will Stay on Topic, AND Allow the Meetings to Flow

  - Why it's important: While it’s good to have structure, discussions should also flow naturally. Sometimes the most valuable insights come from an unexpected direction.

  - How to do it: We will have a clear theme or topic for each meeting but remain open to where the conversation goes. If the discussion strays too far, I may gently guide it back.

We Will Always Foster Peer-to-Peer Connection, Sharing, and Learning

  - Why it's important: The group is filled with people who have different experiences and insights, and peer-to-peer learning allows participants to help and inspire one another.

  - How to do it: We will encourage participants to ask questions and share advice with each other. For example, after someone shares a challenge, someone could ask the group, “Has anyone else experienced this? How did you approach it?” This helps the group grow as a collective.

Facilitate Breakout Rooms

  - Why it's important: Smaller group discussions create more intimate, in-depth conversations where participants may feel more comfortable opening up.

  - How to do it: You’ll be assigned to a small group and given a clear question or prompt to discuss for 5-10 minutes, and then bring everyone back to the main room to share insights.

We’ll Use Silence Intentionally  

- Why it's important: Silence gives participants space to reflect, and it can lead to more thoughtful and deeper responses.

  - How to do it: We will be mindful to not rush to fill silence. After asking a question, I may ask you to let others sit with it for a few moments before answering.

We’ll End with a Reflection or Takeaway

  - Why it's important: Ending with a moment of reflection helps participants integrate what they’ve learned and apply it to their lives.

  - How to do it: I may ask participants to share one key takeaway from the discussion or one action they’re committed to taking in the coming week. This helps reinforce the material and encourages practical application of what was discussed.

Don’t Be Afraid to Have Fun!

  - Why it's important: Fun energizes the group and keeps the experience light and enjoyable, even when discussing deep topics.

  - How to do it: We may sometimes incorporate playful elements into your discussion group, such as a quick manifestation game or gratitude round. Keeping the mood light will foster greater connection and create a positive, uplifting environment.