How Groups Started

Now that many groups are forming in different parts of the U.S. and in many other countries, it appears to be urgent to clarify the basic differences between participation in a group and individual sessions.

Originally, I was of the opinion that this method could not be effective or safe if undertaken in a group. Then I began to give seminars to teach the work and discovered, to my surprise, that the combined energy of the multiple Hi C available in a group compensated for some of the problems or weaknesses of group participation.

One reason I had been so reluctant to initiate group work stemmed from observing the extensive variety of workshops, seminars and various other group activities that have proliferated in the U.S. for many years. The leaders have been part of what is jokingly referred to as the New Age circuit or bandwagon. Each one's popularity rose, only to fade as other newer and faster methods moved to the forefront.

In time, their place, too, was soon usurped when some participants wanted ever newer and faster methods or had suffered the ill effects of unfortunate traumatic experiences with the previous groups, which was not an uncommon occurrence.

For many years people have come to me for help, often with very serious problems resulting from their participation in group work. I observed that the most common cause was pressure to move ahead too fast into experiences that they were not ready or able to digest or process.

So, I vowed never to be a part of the group scene and continued quietly to bring forth this method. From the very beginning of its emergence, one of the strongest warnings has been to avoid undue speed or forced growth. Each person must be left free to move at his or her own rate. That insures natural growth that is strong and lasting, as opposed to the hothouse variety that cannot sustain the stress or tension of daily living.

Groups vs. Individual Sessions

Only when the work is voluntarily undertaken is it valid or effective. For only then will those who use it be willing to practice the exercises regularly instead of expecting someone else to wave a magic wand and solve all their problems or practice the exercises for them. Individuals should be free to work alone or in pairs, if they prefer, either with or without attending a group.

However, many people are finding it easier to work in a small group rather than alone or with a partner due to the increased energy of the multiple Hi C available in a group. Also, it helps to receive feedback from others who are also using the work.

A group is composed of more than two individuals who are at different stages of development and have a variety of personal problems, often serious ones. Therefore, a general method needs to be used that has proved to be safe, yet effective for all the participants.

In individual sessions, two people work together on the triangle with one acting as a facilitator. In this case, problems or blocks can be discussed and each one can ask the Hi C for guidance as soon as they arise. They can then be resolved at the appropriate pace and sequence of steps for the person involved. This, obviously, is not practical in a group setting.

It is extremely important to attempt to avoid some of the problems that have occurred in some groups using other methods. With this in mind, I am setting forth some guidelines.

Guidelines for a Group Meeting

1. Everyone should have read the first book, Cutting the Ties That Bind before attending a group session, otherwise questions can slow the pace for others.
   
   
2. The meetings should not be locked into only one location. Small groups in various localities are preferable. These locations should be easily accessible to those who wish to attend to avoid waste of money, time and energy in travel to and from the meetings.
   
   
3. When groups meet is determined by the lifestyle of the majority of participants. Most groups meet once a month, either in the evening or on a Saturday morning for approximately an hour and a half. Others prefer meeting twice a month.
   
   
4. A meeting should be treated, not as a social gathering, but to help those who attend to practice the work together.
   
   
5. In some groups in which the participants have had a long trip to reach the location, cookies and tea or juices are offered. In this case, it is preferable to have them laid out before the meeting when people are arriving.
   
   
6. A group should not be under the control of any one person. One way to circumvent that possibility is for a different person to be willing to facilitate at each meeting.
   
   
7. Ego trips can become a common problem. This can take the form of superiority from having more experience with the work, or a need to be in control. The Hi C is the Guide, not the facilitator. One way to avoid this problem is to have a different person as facilitator at each meeting. This also gives everyone the opportunity to lead a meeting instead of forcing one willing person to take that role every time.
   
   
8. Another problem that can occur in a group is when one or a few people want to work faster. This method is carefully designed to help people achieve natural growth by unfolding to the guidance of the Hi C and not by using the will to force progress, their own or anyone else's.

Meetings

Start with the Maypole

1. A meeting should always start with the Maypole to give the meeting over to the direction of the multiple Hi C instead of anyone's ego, will, or control.
   
   
2. A tape can be played on which I lead a group through the Maypole, or the directions can be read aloud from the workbook, to link all those present to the Hi C.
   
   
3. The Maypole can also provide an opportunity, for anyone who wishes, to direct the healing energy and love available from the Hi C to anyone known to need help with physical, mental, emotional or other problems.
   
   
4. In addition, it can allow the group to send help to any part of the world where war, hunger or illness is prevalent. This service is very powerful when undertaken in a group.

Body of Meeting

1. A discussion can follow the Maypole to share experiences or insights that may be helpful to others. This activity should be kept as short as possible and confined only to helpful sharing and not complaints or problems. It is important to stress the ways the work has helped.
   
   
2. A tie cutting or one of the other symbols or techniques should form the main part of the meeting. The directions can be given from one of my tapes or read aloud from the workbook.
   
   
3. In either case, the Maypole or Tree should be used to precede it in order to allow everyone to ask the Hi C for help with that exercise.
   
   
4. If a symbol or technique other than a cutting will be used, it is often helpful to introduce it by having the facilitator read the directions and explanation from either of the two Cutting books.
   
   
5. If a tie cutting is performed, participants should be reminded to write the letter to the person from whom they cut and not to talk about the session for at least three days.

End with Maypole

1. The meeting should end with the Maypole or Tree, again to allow everyone to leave the meeting filled with whatever the Hi C is ready to give to each one.
   
   
2. A tape is available that contains two Maypoles, the longer version is usually used at the beginning of a meeting and the shorter version is usually used at the end of a meeting.
   
   
3. At the end, those attending should leave quietly without conversation. This helps them to retain the experience intact and avoid loss of the energy that was released for their own use. It also prevents the temptation to discuss the experience, which is inadvisable before the required three days of silence about it have passed.