Section 13 Discussions Do Not Have to Be Tidy - Life Is Often Not!

When there are tense or intense discussions which continue right up to the last advertised moment, it is important that the group, and not only the facilitator, faces the decision, “How do we handle the conclusion of this experience together?”

When the boundaries around time are held to be important, the meeting stops and people are asked to accept together, and learn from, living with the emotions that have been expressed and leaving them for the next meeting.

The need to have things tidy from a learning point of view is not important at this point. The need to learn and experience how to find agreement and cohesion, even when meetings have to be ended by leaving themes in the air, is more important.

In a tense atmosphere it is important that the facilitator is free and open on this.

Drawing on the supportive materials in Nurturing Hope, as you see fit, your central task is to create and sustain a learning space in which people learn and re-learn that getting free of rivalry and conflict is a challenge yet can be a delight and life affirming.

SO FACILITATE HOPEFULLY!