A Weekend of Circling: Stemless

Relating Our Worlds

‘Stemless’ is a relational presence practice where we connect via direct transmission of our rich inner experience without explanation. We aim to glimpse and own not just our arising feelings but our overall perceptions.

As a group or in pairs, we share what’s happening between us here and now, free of violence (meaning: deeply owned).

To start, we practice using overt sentence stems, being careful to use language that doesn’t crowd anyone else’s experience (eg. “This is just my story, but I think you might be angry?”).

Then comes ‘stemless’, where we open toward the more mysterious space where all projections can be recognized as inherently toothless. Without overt management, even an expression like “You’re the devil!” can be, paradoxically, conflict-free. It becomes just another beautiful opportunity to meet in connection.

We find intimacy in truth by foregrounding the often-unsayable stories we’re constantly inventing about ourselves and each other. Our notion of connection is not in achieving a shared understanding of who or what we are. Rather, we attempt to lucid dream in our waking lives: to catch ourselves in the act of inventing the characters we see (and imagine ourselves to be).

We’re offering a weekend retreat of truth in connection. It will include group practice, paired practice, drills, and theory.

Feelings of connection might come, but they are not the goal, and this might feel awkward or weird at times. You will likely feel dropped or unacknowledged, at times or often. You will hopefully also experience a kaleidoscopic tilting of your world’s dream logic; laughter; insight; and a taste of our passion for this practice. A meditative practice of surrendering to reality expressing itself through each of us in every moment.

Testimonials

“Stemless gave me a taste of how it feels to turn my world completely subjective. Consensus reality dissolved, and I didn’t need anyone else’s witnessing.” -Aditya

"Being able to express my perceptual experience unfiltered feels liberating. It’s a practice of dropping into pure awareness, and recognising that that mode is always available - even in the midst of a charged social interaction. That’s really precious for me." -Elisa

"Practicing Stemless is a surefire way to play and understand in a serious way the silliness and joyful experience that is being right now." -Carolina

Practicalities

• Saturday 14th, 10am-6pm
• Sunday 15th, 10am-6pm

Food and accommodation are not included. If you’d like to pack food, feel free to do so. There are also many restaurants nearby.

We will offer structure to help you at any level of relational ability. It will help to have some comfort with:

• Identifying emotions as they arise in the body
• Recognition of reactions as self-originated and noticing projections on others
• Being present to what’s happening in the moment rather than being lost in thought

Like in any interpersonal practice, difficult emotional material may arise. We trust your self-responsibility in the decision to participate. Although we will hold each other with care, we cannot guess what emotional safety means to you, and we do not guarantee it.

About the Facilitators

Sahil and Harmony are facilitators and interpersonal practitioners with a combined 12 years of experience in circling and 15 years of experience in meditation. Their particular foci of curiosity are group coherence, freedom in connection, and deep ownership.

Learn more about Stemless here!

Vancouver Circling is a community dedicated to the practice of Circling — a form of relational meditation where people come together to explore their authentic, present-moment experience. We create warm, grounded spaces where individuals can show up honestly, be deeply seen, and connect through curiosity and shared presence. Through this practice, members strengthen their self-awareness, grow their capacity to express themselves, and build meaningful, nourishing relationships. It’s a place to slow down, listen closely, and experience connection in a way that feels real and alive.

www.vancouvercircling.com

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