Guidelines for a Development Circle

DEFINITION
          The Circle is a closed group of individuals meeting regularly, following an established regimen of activity to promote the exploration and advancement of the higher potentials and spiritual gifts, and to achieve a practical awareness of the cooperative activity of the Spirit World.

PURPOSE
          Representing the single most dynamic vehicle for personal development, the Circle provides an intensive, disciplined, on-going opportunity for spiritual, healing and psychic development in a protected and encouraging environment.   This allows like-minded individuals a place, time and format in which to explore their spiritual gifts harmoniously in a classic development environment.

FORM AND STRUCTURE

A)  The group must strictly adhere to meeting on a regular basis —- same time, same place, same people.

B)  At the appointed time, the members assemble in a softly lit room. The door is closed (“sealed”) as the members seat themselves in a circle.  Once you have established your location, maintain that place at each meeting.  If a member is absent, their place is set and honored as if they were there.

C)  If you are absent from circle, at the time the circle is meeting quietly sit by yourself, invoke the energies of the circle and meditate.

D)  Once the “circle” has been established, it cannot be broken without terminating the meeting.   There are no rest breaks.  The circle — once started — is maintained; no one leaves or enters until the circle is closed.

E)  Before — sit quietly in the room to compose your energies.   If you wish to socialize, do so outside of the Circle room.  The energies in the room have been forming long before you arrive, and your presence in the room must be attuned to the purpose soon to commence in the area.

F)  Suggested Format

• Assembly/ Constituting the Circle
• Opening Prayer
  Lord’s Prayer
  Prayer of Protection
• Quiet Meditation
• Practice: Giving/ Receiving
• Closing Prayer
• After

  Discussion

  Group Business

  Socializing

G)   It is suggested that Circle members alternate conducting the Circle.  The moderator for the session prepares and delivers the opening and closing prayers,and act as moderator for that week.

H)  Length of Circle: Considering the energies involved, the Circle should last no longer than one and a half hours.

COMPOSITION AND MEMBERS

A)  A viable Circle generally can be sustained by as few as three and as many as seven committed members.  What is vital is not the number, but the interplay of individual energies.  Not only must personalities mesh, but the guiding forces which are brought into play must also harmonize.

B)  Membership in a Circle is a privileged opportunity open to anyone dedicated to the development of their spiritual gifts and abilities.  Anyone joining a group must be able to make participation in the Circle an absolute and inviolate priority.   It is available not to the mildly curious, but to those serious about development and inner growth.

C)  To provide an outlet and balance for the rapid growth fostered by the Circle, the activity of the Circle must be augmented by active participation in classes, Sunday Services, Message Circle, Psychic Fairs, ISD Activities.

D)  The addition of new members to the group must be with the approval of the entire group, and should be contingent on a probationary period of two months.

E)   One of the most important elements of the circle is the balance of energies between the sitters.  It is for this reason that a Circle functions best when it is closed.  An occasional visitor may be admitted , but only rarely and then with advanced preparation, discussion, and the consent of the entire group.  The presence of a visitor should be a rare episode, and deemed a special privilege to the visitor.

ATTENDANCE

A)  A commitment to regular attendance is a must.   This is a spiritual commitment to yourself, your fellow sitters, and a promise to the Spirit World.   In joining a Circle, you are accepting an ongoing appointment with the higher realms of self and other —-both seen and unseen — all of whom will be in waiting for that dedicated time.

B)  If a member is going to be absent, it must be for good cause, and courtesy dictates that the group be informed beforehand.

C)  A member who is repeatedly absent must reconsider their membership in the Circle, and the members of the circle must consider the individuals seriousness of purpose.

INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

A)  The Institute welcomes the opportunity to foster the innate spiritual abilities of its membership.  To promote this end, the Institute offers the use of the building for development groups.  Use of the building is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Groups are required to sign in advance for the use of the facility, and availability is restricted by the prior needs of the Institute.   It is emphasized that groups must reserve the space they wish to use in advance (do not presume that the space is yours), and that other considerations may necessitate pre-empting the time and space.

B)  Traditionally, the Institute has never levied a fee or charge for the formation of Circles or the use of the Institute building in which to conduct a Development Circle.

C)  It is hoped that a Circle and its members, receiving the gratuity of the Institute, will feel motivated to contribute their time and energies to Institute needs in lieu of any charges.  One of the first lessons learned in proper development is, “What you give out, you receive back ten fold.”