Assisting/Guardianship Program
The Role of Guardian can be hard to put into words but it is truly an art form once mastered. We continue to refine the process of becoming a circle guardian and our hope is to help those of you called into holding space at this level to become artful masters of guardianship.
What are the important qualities of a Guardian:
Hold Space + Clean + Surrender
Holding Space – For Open Path, Holding space is the paradox of being completely present and completely invisible all at the same time. What this means is that you check your self at the door leaving behind all of your thoughts, worries, judgments and desires. You enter the circle as the empty shell of your higher Self. You are not there to be a healer, musician, dancer…You are not there to be seen or witnessed. Although you may do some of those things at some point, your first and primary duty is to hold the space clean and empty for the medicine, the participants and for Norberto and Milli to do what they all came to do.
Surrender – Never get in front of the medicine. Let her show you the way.
We lead through example by surrendering to the process of the circle with complete trust that the medicine and this work will happen exactly as it is supposed to without our interference. We have only to surrender and witness. Participants will feel your surrender in their own soma and the wisdom of their bodies will follow your example.
Clean – The medicine will continuously call the darkness into the light. Therefore we must diligently clean on several levels.
Self – this can be the hardest. What are the hidden parts of yourself that need to be cleaned? Where are those hidden intentions, motivations, beliefs that do not serve you or the circle. Be ready for those to come to the surface to be cleaned.
Interactions – when interacting with anyone in the circle remember to come into your heart space scan your inner space and resolve anything that needs to be resolved before approaching. Move slowly, with intention and ask for permission. We all have mirror neurons, so just as you may feel where someone is at and what it is that they need in the moment, they also can feel you and what you bring into the space.
Circle – When the circle begins to move and shift as one living breathing organism then it is time to dive in and clean on a global scale. The simple act if tidying up (emptying buckets, picking up tissues, cups, clutter, keeping candles lit) may seem simple and mundane but it can completely shift the energy with in the circle. In a sense we are aiding with the digestion of energies. Like the large intestine, we get rid of the waste leaving the whole circle feeling lighter and clean as well as making you available as you move around the circle for those struggling to ask for help.
As we empty, clean and surrender to the space a vacuum is created that pulls us in as individuals in a bigger way than you can imagine. It is only from this place that spirit will invite you in to work and guide you as to what to do. I can not explain how different and freeing it feels to be called into service in the circle rather than putting yourself into the circle in the attempt to serve. This is the art form I wish for each guardian and assistant to learn.
Please read through the requirements and meditate on if you feel ready to step into guardianship/assisting in this moment. There is a lot of interest in these positions so please understand that this may be a process and can take time.
What are the steps?
There is an old native saying ‘The honor to serve is one that is earned’.
Be in service… there are many roles in Open Path such as assisting, night guard, interviewer, that give you the opportunity to get learn and practice. You get the chance to sit in on guardian meetings and ask questions.
Do your own work… For some being in service is a way to avoid doing their own personal work. There is nothing wrong with this and it is VERY common…However, we will wait until you are done with that before we invite you into guardianship.
How are guardians and assistants chosen?
We have more qualified interest than spots available. In a typical workshop we will choose 2 strong guardians with experience and 1 that may still be working on learning guardianship.
We look at who has been in service and shown natural abilities towards the qualities listed above.
Often we are up against some tough scheduling challenges and try to get everyone the workshop they want to work so in the end if we are considering several people for one spot we make the choice through prayer. Please know that whether you are chosen or not, it is not personal. You are very loved and wanted but spirit has its own way of working. Trust that if/when the time is right, spirit will make a way for you.
Guardian – Service from circle open to circle close – total workshop contribution is waved
Assistant – Service before and after circle open and close – 50% of workshop contribution is waved
Night Guardian, Greeters and Interviewers – volunteer only with pre-registration perks.