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Being Well Practice Group Agreements

Being Well Practice Groups are designed to complement the course material through reflection, practice, and shared learning. The agreements below are intended to support both your individual experience and the well-being of the group as a whole.

  1. This Is an Experiential Space
    Presence and practice matter more than analyzing, performing, or getting it right.
    • You don’t need to impress or have perfect insights.
    • We are here to explore through direct experience.
    • Curiosity, honesty, and presence matter more than intellectual understanding.
    • You are welcome to participate whether or not you’ve completed all course materials.
  2. Speak From Your Own Experience
    Using “I” statements helps keep sharing grounded, personal, and authentic.
    • Speak from your own direct experience whenever possible.
    • Share what you notice, feel, wonder about, or are learning.
    • Avoid speaking for others or presenting personal views as universal truths.
    • Personal sharing creates more connection and less debate.
  3. Listen With Curiosity
    We practice listening to understand rather than listening to respond.
    • Allow others to finish their thoughts.
    • Stay curious about experiences that differ from your own.
    • Notice any impulse to agree, disagree, fix, or advise.
    • Listening can be as valuable as speaking.
  4. Respect Different Perspectives
    This group brings together people from different backgrounds, experiences, identities, beliefs, and worldviews.
    • You may hear perspectives that are different from your own.
    • Practice curiosity before judgment.
    • Allow others to have their own experience without needing to convince, correct, or change them.
    • Speak with kindness, even when you see things differently.
    • We do not need to agree in order to learn together.
  5. Practice Kindness and Goodwill
    We are all human, and none of us will do this perfectly.
    • Assume positive intent whenever possible.
    • Extend grace to yourself and others.
    • If misunderstandings arise, approach them with openness and respect.
    • Help create an environment where people feel welcome and valued.
  6. Honor Confidentiality
    Trust helps us feel safe enough to be real.
    • Please keep personal sharing within the group.
    • Do not repeat someone else’s story outside this space.
    • What is shared in breakout rooms stays in breakout rooms.
    • You are always welcome to speak about your own experience and learning.
    All this said, please know that the teacher in your group, Rick Hanson, and anyone else associated with Being Well, Inc. can not control what someone in your group may say about you to others. This is a simple fact to take into account when you share personal information.
  7. Presence Over Advice
    We practice being with one another rather than fixing one another.
    • Please refrain from coaching, analyzing, diagnosing, or problem-solving for others.
    • Trust that each person has their own wisdom and pacing.
    • Often the most supportive thing we can offer is our attention and presence.
  8. Share the Space
    This is a shared community, and every voice matters.
    • Be mindful of airtime.
    • Share from the essence of your experience rather than every detail.
    • Notice if you tend to speak often or hold back.
    • Help create room for others to participate.
  9. Take Care of Yourself
    Your well-being matters more than participating perfectly.
    • Follow your own pace and capacity.
    • You are welcome to pause, stretch, move, ground yourself, or step away if needed.
    • You may choose not to answer a question or participate in a particular exercise.
    • Choice and agency are important parts of this work.
  10. When Discomfort Arises
    Moments of activation, discomfort, or strong emotion can be part of the learning process.
    • You are responsible for your own pacing and self-care.
    • You are welcome to pause, step away, turn off your camera, or use grounding practices as needed.
    • Remember that not every uncomfortable feeling needs to be fixed immediately.
    • Meaningful growth can involve staying connected to an experience without becoming overwhelmed by it.
    • If you find yourself becoming highly activated, please prioritize your wellbeing and seek additional support when needed.
  11. This Is Not Therapy
    These groups are designed for learning, reflection, connection, and practice.
    • This is not a therapy, coaching, or trauma-processing space.
    • Please avoid graphic or highly detailed trauma stories.
    • We encourage grounded, present-focused sharing.
    • Additional therapeutic support may be beneficial for deeper personal work.

Practical Participation Guidelines

Arriving

  • Please join the call a few minutes early whenever possible.
  • Arriving early helps us begin on time and creates a more settled atmosphere for everyone.
  • If you arrive late, please enter quietly and take a moment to orient yourself before joining the conversation.
    Cameras and Names
  • Cameras on when possible, as seeing one another supports connection and co-regulation.
  • If you cannot or prefer not to be on camera, please let the facilitator know.
  • Please use your actual name rather than “iPhone” or “Zoom User” when possible.

Breakout Rooms

  • Participation in breakout rooms is encouraged but optional.
  • Please honor your own comfort level and capacity.

Chat

  • We encourage live presence and attention.
  • Use the chat primarily for practical needs or brief support.

 Recording

  • Sessions are not recorded, and AI-based transcriptions are not allowed, in order to promote a more open, honest, and relational environment.

Closing Intention
These agreements are practices that help us create a space where people can feel safe enough to explore, learn, connect, and grow together.

Thank you for being part of this community.