Sangha Council
At the Zen Center of Denver, Council Circle practice is one of the ways we bring the spirit of the Zen Peacemakers International into our community life. In 2022, the Zen Center of Denver became an affiliate of Zen Peacemakers, connecting our volunteer and social justice activities to the Peacemaker tradition’s Three Tenets: Not Knowing, Bearing Witness, and Taking Action. These principles guide our service in the wider community, including prison dharma visits to the Federal Correctional Institution Englewood, the Aurora ICE Processing Center, and volunteer work at Metro Caring Food Bank. Council practice helps us engage this work with humility and presence – supporting others who are suffering without imposing our own expectations or agendas.
In Council Circle we gather to create a shared space of attentive listening and authentic speech. Drawing from Indigenous traditions, the Way of Council invites participants to listen from the heart and speak from immediate experience. A simple central altar and a talking piece help focus the conversation so that one person speaks at a time while others listen deeply. Participants are encouraged to be concise, spontaneous, and respectful of confidentiality, allowing silence when words are not needed.
We practice the Way of Council in all of the above settings, and we also hold regular Council Circles on Sunday mornings at the temple. Many have found the supportive atmosphere of the circle where we bear witness to one another’s experience and listen deeply can be truly transformative. Over time, this practice has helped cultivate a deeper sense of connection within our sangha. We invite anyone to participate in these meaningful exchanges. All are welcome in the Circle!