The Presence Practice: A Gateway to Connection, Healing, and Legacy
A few months before the Covid lockdown, I was talking to my friend Nancy about how hard it was for me to talk to people. I didn’t feel comfortable sharing my stories or commenting back during a conversation, I would just listen. But I felt I had so much to express. I had a deep desire, almost an ache, to be heard and understood. Often when I was talking I would be interrupted and lose my thoughts, it would really disregulate me, pushing me further into a shell. Rooted in a childhood discouragement, “ Don’t speak until spoken to,” I made all that mean that people just weren’t interested enough in me to be curious. But it was more than that. I was disconnected from myself and my identity. I felt people didn’t know me but it was because I wasn’t able to first connect within myself to find what I wanted to express, and then compose my words quickly enough to share it while I had their attention. Anyway, Nancy suggested I find a Toastmaster’s group to practice public speaking. It wasn’t a priority, until I was bored in lockdown and when I did search for one nearby they were all closed because: lockdown. They hadn’t figured out online meetings yet. So I searched for other ways to improve my communication skills, and I came upon Circling. As defined by AI: “A transformational communication practice that helps participants become more self-aware, connect with others, and learn how to meet their needs.” So I signed up for a few meetings. At first I felt welcomed and found myself opening and feeling seen and heard. But I had a couple moments where I didn’t feel safe. One moment I felt villianized because I was defending a participant who had come to tears due to the presence of another participant who had left her feeling abused in a prior interaction. I called him a coward for not coming forward and neutralizing the issue through the very act of Circling. I was new to the practice, and perhaps shouldn’t have spoken up but I was triggered. I myself had recently felt disrespected and kind of abused offline by, not only a participant, but a facilitator who messaged me thru Facebook after getting my screen name from the Zoom meeting. Needless to say, I was quick to defend her, and was disappointed that the facilitator didn’t intervene. I immediately lost respect for the forum. But I had gotten a lot out of it before all this, and I searched for alternative Circles.
Well one found me. Circling Space. This forum was different. First, it was created by a woman, Vicki Howie. I had been following her YouTube channel on chakras for years. In her newsletter she introduced a new service, Cirlcling. She had been practicing this communication style with many of the other platforms and forums, and found them lacking. So she created her own, and I ‘m so deeply grateful that she did. Secondly, there was a one on one onboarding to familiarize me with the culture of this practice, not just a series of videos. She perfected it in my opinion. After a couple of the online meetings, she told me I was a natural and I believed her. She hosted a retreat in her home in FL and several of us attended. It was pure magic, alchemy. I experienced transformation. After meeting each other in person our practice grew deeper and I felt belonging. For a year and a half I circled with her and the eclectic group of facilitators and participants from all over the world. Sadly, she closed the platform because it wasn’t making profits. That was a sad day for us all. It was a lot to organize and demanded commitment. Other priorities came first and we all forgave her. But I found myself still needing it. We had a couple pop up meetings that were fun, but I wanted more. I asked her permission to use her template to create something of my own and she agreed.
The Presence Practice is my creation from her template. It is my desire to provide space where the people courageous enough to explore embodying authenticity can show up and feel safe to do it. Because, deep down, we all crave the same things: to be truly seen, heard, and understood.
The Presence Practice is a simple yet transformative approach to cultivating connection and authenticity in every area of life. Whether you’re navigating relationships with family, striving to be a conscious leader, or seeking self-love and healing, the power of presence holds the key to deeper fulfillment.
But The Presence Practice is more than just a personal journey—it’s a movement. It has the potential to ripple outward, creating stronger families, thriving communities, and a world rooted in harmony and understanding.
What is The Presence Practice?
At its core, The Presence Practice is about alignment: with yourself, with a higher truth, and with others. It’s a way of living that fosters deep listening, self-awareness, and authentic communication. Through three key movements—inward, upward, and outward—it equips you to navigate life’s complexities with clarity and grace:
Go Inward: Listen to Yourself
Cultivate self-awareness by tuning into your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.
Approach your inner world with curiosity, compassion, and honesty, allowing you to align with your true self.
Go Upward: Align with Truth
Connect with a higher purpose, divine guidance, or core values that ground and inspire you.
Seek alignment with what feels authentic and true, providing clarity and strength in your interactions.
Go Outward: Build Authentic Connections
Extend presence to others by listening deeply and creating space for genuine dialogue.
Approach relationships with empathy and openness, fostering trust and understanding.
These principles form the foundation of a life lived with intention and connection, creating a ripple effect that transforms your relationships, workplace and community.
Principles of Presence
Confidentiality
In The Presence Practice, each participant is held within the safety of confidentiality. What’s shared in this space remains protected, honoring vulnerability and trust as the foundation of authentic connection. This principle ensures that everyone can explore freely, knowing their expressions are respected and safeguarded. Of course we can always share our personal experiences, any A-HA moments of witnessing what is created during the practice, and any takeaways. from having participatedIntegrity
Integrity within Presence calls for congruence between one’s intentions, words, and actions. As we practice we get better at noticing when we censor ourselves and as we commit to honesty and transparency, participants build a collective container where truth can emerge naturally, allowing each person’s experience to be met with honesty and depth. Integrity within this practice fosters reliability and presence.Curiosity
Curiosity invites us to explore without preconceived ideas, keeping an open mind about our own and others’ experiences. In Presence, curiosity is the guide to understanding what lies beneath the surface, and it nurtures a spaciousness where each unfolding moment becomes a meaningful discovery, without judgment or expectation.Clarity
The Presence Practice involves a commitment to clarity in communication. By being direct, honest, and clear, we avoid assumptions and open a direct channel for authentic understanding. This clarity promotes shared meaning and supports the collective wisdom of the group, enhancing each participant’s connection to themselves and each other.Reflection, Mirror, and Relating
Through gentle reflection and mirroring, Presence invites participants to witness aspects of themselves in others, recognizing shared humanity by saying “just like me” in moments of resonance. This practice builds bridges of empathy, connecting individual experiences to universal truths. Relating this way creates a foundation for self-awareness and compassion, enhancing the collective experience.100% Presence
Offering full presence to another is the cornerstone of Presence. By being fully with another, participants experience the depth of the moment together, free from distraction or judgment. When we slow down and allow for the space for the unfolding of another we embody the practice of truly seeing and “being seen, truly hearing and “being heard,” and finally feeling understood.Radical Acceptance
Presence asks participants to radically accept what arises, letting go of the need to change or fix anything. Embracing what is, without trying to ease your discomfort by offering advice, fixing, or consoling others. Allowing experiences to be as they are, without resistance or interference, participants find freedom in the present moment. Radical acceptance cultivates peace and a gentle honoring of each person’s unique process and faith in their capability.Courageous and Kind Expression
In Presence, we encourage each person to speak their truth courageously and kindly, without censoring or diminishing their experience. By sharing from the heart with kindness and honesty, participants bring their full selves to the space, creating a rich, multi-faceted tapestry of connection and authenticity.The 3P’s -Present,Personal Physical Sensation
Presence invites participants to ground themselves in the present by sharing their experiences through immediate physical sensations, using the first person, “I” and present tense. By tracking these sensations—“I notice a warmth in my chest,” “My breath feels shallow”—we stay connected to the here and now, deepening the immediacy of our experience and embodied authenticity.Avoiding Stories
To stay with the raw truth of the moment, Presence emphasizes the practice of letting go of stories. Rather than recounting past experiences or speculating about the future, participants focus on what is currently unfolding. This practice minimizes projection and maximizes presence, enhancing the depth and honesty of the interaction.
Each of these principles embodies the essence of The Presence Practice creating a sanctuary for true connection and self-discovery. This framework invites participants to encounter themselves and each other at the deepest level, grounded in openness, truth, and kindness.
The Ripple Effect: Why It Matters
When you embrace The Presence Practice, you not only transform your inner world but also create ripples of positive impact around you. Imagine grandparents modeling deep listening for their grandchildren, community leaders fostering cultures of collaboration in their workplaces, or families breaking cycles of miscommunication. These ripples can reshape relationships, organizations, and even entire communities.
The practice isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up intentionally and authentically. It’s about learning to quiet the noise, honor your truth, and create space for genuine connection.
A Glimpse Into the Journey Ahead
This blog marks the beginning of a series of books exploring the many facets of The Presence Practice and its applications in daily life. Here’s a taste of what’s to come:
Self-Love and Personal Growth: How The Presence Practice helps you build self-awareness, heal old wounds, and live authentically.
Parenting and Grandparenting: Foster meaningful intergenerational connections and leave a lasting legacy of love and wisdom.
Leadership and Team Dynamics: Transform workplaces with a culture of empathy, collaboration, and trust.
Community Building: Create spaces of belonging and shared growth through authentic presence.
Each book in the series will offer practical exercises, real-life stories, and actionable steps to integrate presence into every area of life.
Why Start Now?
The journey to deeper connection begins with a single step: presence. What would change if you started listening—truly listening—to yourself, your loved ones, and your community? What legacy could you create by embodying presence in your daily life?
As you begin practicing, remember this: every moment of presence you offer is a seed planted in the heart of someone else. Your small actions today can create ripples that echo through generations.
Join the Movement
You don’t have to do this alone. Join a growing community of individuals committed to creating a more connected and compassionate world through The Presence Practice.
Follow our journey on Instagram at @AlcheMeLove and @SacredSenses.
Stay tuned for our upcoming book series and workshops designed to deepen your practice and transform your relationships.
Start your presence journey today with our guided exercise: The Power of Listening, listed under the Meditations tab.
Together, let’s spark a movement of Presence that ripples through families, workplaces, and communities. Your journey starts now. Will you take the first step?
I’m offering my 100% presence to you. You may book your appointment now, Click Here Gift Certificates are also available Here.
