Mindful Warriors – The Power of CIRCLES for Teens

During last winter’s long purple-tier COVID quarantine, though GMC’s operations were severely reduced, a group of young people were so committed to each other and to their own wellbeing that they continued to circle up at our 4Roots Wellness Center in spite of the challenging conditions.

Gratefully huddling around fire pits donated by Mountain Hardware and Sports, we re-discovered how our deep, shared humanity emerges when we gather in circles. Speaking from the heart, and, more importantly, listening from the heart is a way through darkness and into powerful connection and joy. It’s a way to intentionally hold space for the light that wants to emerge and shine through us all.

The gifts of the winter circles flowed into spring and summer and into explorations of youth leadership and voice, and everyone drafted Core Gift Statements—our personal vision / mission about the unique contributions each of us makes to our communities…

Our experience was so powerful that this fall we jumped at the chance to begin holding Mindful Warrior Circles in the broader community, when TTUSD invited us to hold six of them simultaneously, in (8 to 10 week programs) across 5 campuses. In keeping with Root #4, Helping Others, we are especially proud that every circle is co-facilitated or supported by young people who, from their lived experience, are able to create comfort, connection and safety for their peers.

Mindful Warrior Circles serve the individual needs of each participant, offering opportunities to give and receive peer support and to develop tools for dealing with the challenges of their lives. As teens better understand why they make the choices they do, they are able to make the changes they want. Self-knowledge is the power of Mindful Warriors!