Consent and Care
Why this matters
Simple agreements help the body relax so presence can do the work.
Our Agreements
Ask First
Before advice, analysis, or personal questions, check in and wait for the answer.
Example: “Are you open to a thought?”
Honor the answer
Yes, no, and not now are complete. No reason needed.
Example: “Thanks for letting me know.”
Silence counts
Presence is participation. You can pass at any time and stay with the group.
Example: “Pass, I’m just going to listen.”
Stories stay here
Treat personal shares as confidential. Only share outside with clear permission.
Example: “Is it okay if I mention this later?”
Reflections by invitation
Offer ideas or practices only when asked; let the person choose support.
Example: “Would you like ideas, or just listening?”
Check touch
Any contact needs a clear yes each time. No touch is the default.
Example: “Are you open to a hug?”
How to ask for consent
- “Are you open to a thought, or would you prefer I just listen?”
- “Can I ask a personal question?”
- “Would feedback help right now?”
- “Do you want to go deeper, or keep it light?”
- If yes: share briefly, then re-check.
If no / not now: say “thanks for telling me” and continue listening.
Not sure what helps?
Listen. Reflect back what you heard. Ask what would be helpful. You do not need to fix anything.
If something feels off
Step back. Take a breath. Ask for support. Care comes first.
Consent is ongoing and reversible
Consent can change. You can say yes, no, or change your mind at any time.
No photos or recordings
We protect presence and privacy.
Names and pronouns
Use the name and pronouns someone gives. If you slip, correct and move on.
Privacy in the circle
Stories stay in the circle unless safety is at risk. If someone may harm themselves or others, we seek support.
Host care and timing
Hosts may pause or redirect to protect time, safety, or consent for the group.
Step out, rejoin anytime
You can step out for quiet, water, or breath. Return when ready.
If a boundary is crossed
Pause. Name it. Reset
Say one line:
Let’s pause.
I’m not looking for advice right now.
Please ask before touching me.
Then one check:
Is it okay if I ___?
A simple repair
“Thank you for naming that.”
“I hear you. I will stop.”
If needed:
Hosts may take a short break, change topic, or seek support.
Consent is a rhythm of respect. So we keep it gentle and clear so presence can do the work.
Read: Why Consent Matters
Why Consent Matters
Real meeting begins with safety.
When the body knows it’s safe to open, trust appears.
Through that trust, care flows naturally, not as a rule but as something alive between us.
Consent isn’t just permission; it’s the shared understanding that we move at the pace of comfort. It allows honesty without pressure, closeness without demand. When each of us feels free to say yes, no, or not now, presence deepens.
Consent also means paying attention, noticing tone, posture, and the small signals that show how someone’s doing. It’s how we learn to move gently in each other’s space, to pause when something shifts, and to meet one another with curiosity instead of assumption. In this way, consent becomes a living practice of awareness and care.
These guidelines are here to protect that space of trust so everyone can relax and be real together.
They remind us that care isn’t enforced from the outside; it grows from attention, respect, and a willingness to listen.