|
Where are your circles held?
Most Women's Well circles are held at our center in West Concord,
Massachusetts. We are located near the West Concord commuter rail
stop. A few programs are held at other locations. When this is the
case, it is generally noted in the course description.
Directions to 120 Commonwealth
Avenue, West Concord, MA:
Take Route 2 to the intersection with Route
62 and turn toward West Concord (going west out of Boston, this
is a left). Go through two stoplights and a blinking light.
At the second stoplight, bear right, which will put you on Commonwealth
Avenue. As you approach the train tracks (near Concord Teacakes
on the left and an ATM booth on the right), bear right again to
cross the tracks. Go about one and a half blocks to the building
with Starz Beauty Salon and Jones Upholstery. You can park on the
street, or in any space behind the building where there is no individual
name.
There are also trains out of North Station and
Porter Square, Cambridge, that stop just a block from The Women’s
Well space. Check the MBTA Fitchburg Line schedule.
FINDING US: We
are on the second floor, and our entrance is at the back.
As you come in the driveway, our building will be on your left,
with Lawless Upholstery on the ground floor. Drive straight to the
back of the lot and park. Walk towards Lawless Upholstery and look
for our door behind it, in the
corner formed between our building and a small apartment
building attached to it. We have two signs on the sides of the building
and a sign on the door.
How can I register for a class?
You can register online using a credit card by clicking on the links
on the Courses page. You can print out the form on the Registration
page, fill it in by hand, and mail it to us with your check. You
can reserve a space by calling us at 978-371-0469, but to get our
"early bird" discount your payment must be received
a week before the class begins.
NOTE: If a class that you're interested
in is imminent, it is best to call and speak with the Registrar
about whether there are any spaces available.
When should I sign up?
If space is available, registrations are taken until the first day
of the class. However, most of our classes have a maximum enrollment
and fill up in advance. We encourage you to sign up early.
How can I talk to someone in your office?
When you leave a message at our automated voice mail number (978-371-0469),
you will soon hear from our Registrar. You can also email her at
info@womenswell.org
Are your classes handicapped-accessible?
Unfortunately, our classroom space is on the second floor of a building
with no elevators. We very much regret that this makes it inaccessible
for some people.
What happens in case of inclement weather?
If a class must be cancelled for any reason, our Registrar will
try to reach enrollees by phone (first) and email. For weather-related
cancellations, we will also leave a message on our phone voice mail.
Is the Women's Well affiliated with any particular spiritual organization
or tradition?
We are not affiliated with any particular spiritual tradition. We
welcome women from all religious and spiritual traditions.
What is the focus of the Women's Well?
While classes at the Women's Well explore different topics, at our
core is a way of being together - the circle. The circle is our
tool for fulfilling and expanding the Women's Well mission.
We see the circle as a practice, a technique,
a ritual, based on the principles of power-from-within and power-with,
not power over others. A circle creates sacred space; this is the
base of its power. As ritual, it acknowledges the availability of
wisdom and help from something beyond our human personalities. It
is a way of consciously asking grace to enter. For this to happen,
sacred space needs to be clearly established in each circle. This
can be done in many different ways – using ritual, creating
altars, offering blessings or readings, guided or silent meditation,
chanting and singing, sacred play, movement or dancing. There is
no one way to do it. At the Women’s Well, we welcome each
woman’s unique way of acknowledging the sacredness of our
endeavors.
We see the circle as a safe and strong
container for empowerment. Sitting in circle, each place is equidistant
from the center; energy is distributed equally. Council format,
an ancient tool used by native peoples and others, acknowledges
this principle. In council, a talking object is passed, giving each
woman a space in which to speak without interruption. Each person
and voice is invited, given attention and respect.
THE
TWELVE PRINCIPLES OF
"HOLDING THE CIRCLE"
Patience
with the Unfolding • No Blame
Enjoy the Process • Deep Listening • Go Slow
Include (Celebrate) Differences
Hold the Intensity • Present Moment
Breathe • Welcome the Unknown • Allow Silence
Truth of Your Experience
Council practice involves learning to
be present to ourselves and others, not planning what to say, but
letting speech come out of the truth of the moment. It also involves
deep listening, cultivating an ability to truly hear, to acknowledge
without judgment, and to resist offering quick fixes. Council values
silence as well, and acknowledges each person's right to pass without
speaking.
We hold confidential what is said within
the sacred circle. This commitment to confidentiality supports deep
and honest sharing. As women and girls begin to feel safe enough
to tell their stories, they begin to know and trust each other.
As the truth of their lives is spoken, women learn that their narratives
are valuable and come to trust their own inner wisdom.
Finally, we see a circle as a held space.
Although each member contributes to the group's character, mood
and direction, one or more women take the responsibility for establishing
the parameters, monitoring the energy, inviting the deep speaking
and deep listening, encouraging trust, honesty, and authenticity
to grow. These women are leaders, but not in the hierarchical sense.
Power-with is a movement, a relationship, a fluid and changing balance,
and responsive leadership wields power-with in ways that foster
growth for all. The goal is to help each woman in the circle, including
the facilitator(s), rest in her own balanced power.
Women's Well programs are not intended to be separative or exclusive.
We seek to contribute to the healing and empowerment of women and
the re-honoring of the feminine in a world out of balance.
What is the history of The Women's Well?
The Women's Well originated in the Women's Spirituality Program
of the Interface Foundation, a center for holistic education in
the Boston area. Between the fall of 1994 and the spring of 1998,
four nine-month-long Women's Spirituality Programs ran at Interface.
When Interface closed, the Women’s Well came into being at
its present location in West Concord. Two further nine-month circles
were offered.
In 1999, we also began holding the Circle
of Circles, a monthly gathering open to all women; pre-registration
is not required to attend the monthly open circle - you can just
show up. This circle provides us a welcome retreat from the
day-to-day demands of our busy lives, as well as offering nourishment
and inspiration for all who attend.
Beginning in the fall of 2000, the organization's
focus shifted somewhat and we began to offer a variety of shorter
course offerings, ranging from one evening or one day to multiple
sessions. Soon after, the Women's Well moved into its present space,
a home base for all our classes to gather. In 2005 we expanded to
offer circles for girls and for mothers and daughters.
In 2004, a new and slightly different nine-month
program, the Mystery School Program, was launched by one of our
faculty, Heather Ensworth. This program is held in South Hamilton,
MA.
Is the Women's Well a nonprofit organization?
Yes, we are a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization. Our financial support
comes mainly from donations. Our administration is by a volunteer
council of women.
How can I support The Women's Well?
We welcome all donations, including matching grants from employers.
Click here to donate online.
Checks should be made out to The Women's Well and mailed to us at
P.O. Box 1410, Concord, MA 01742.
If you are interested in volunteering or
have a suggestion, please call our voice mail number at 978-371-0469.
The call will be returned promptly by our Registrar or another appropriate
person.
Return to top
|
