If you’ve sat in council circles – online or in person – and wondered why the facilitation seems so “easy” … if you think you hear, and suspect there’s more to learn about listening … if you’re frustrated when conversation is dominated by one or two people … if you’re looking for a more active form of meditation and mind focus … if you’re sick of polarization and hungry for understanding … this training is for you.

Join a like-minded group to embrace the art and learn the science of a circle-based practice of deep listening and heartfelt expression. Yes – even on Zoom and in two countries! Acknowledging and paying respect to the roots of council in Indigenous cultures worldwide, we’ll learn of its current applications in families, social profit organizations, schools, prisons and businesses, its varied forms and settings, the importance of a strong “container”, the purpose of a centerpiece, the potent nature of the talking/listening piece, and how to sit in an intentional circle online. There’s opportunity for break-outs so you can practice with your colleagues, and time well-spent learning how to form a prompt open enough to welcome responses from the most diverse circle. You’ll gain an understanding of the basic tenets of council and finish with the skills to begin bravely practicing what you’ve learned with family, friends, work colleagues and your chosen community, in-person and virtually.

Facilitated by Sherre Vernon – poet, educator and Council trainer with over 15 years experience facilitating council in schools and Kate Lipkis – a practitioner of council in schools, prisons and her own living room for 25 years – this highly functional 16-hour training (divided into four 4-hour sessions) is taught in the tradition of The Ojai Foundation – now Topa Institute – and offered online at times suitable for Australia and the American west coast. Full attendance is required for completion, and participation is limited to 15 registrants.
For more details and to register, visit

https://www.councilheart.com/offerings