What we’re about
“It’s like an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting for deep, alive conversations.”
The format is more of an homage to the consistent, reliable, and powerful effects of the protocols that make AA such a persistent force for healthy life and personal growth. By participating in this small group format, it’s a recognition that one cannot do it alone, and that one cannot do it passively.
The spirit of Estuary is sustained by curiosity and confidentiality. This is not a place to debate differences, but a place to have those differences explored and examined deeply. It's more of a "tell me more about..." than "here's why I disagree with you" kind of conversation. With confidentiality, "What happens in Estuary, stays in Estuary."
In groups no larger than 8, and no smaller than 3, four rounds of conversation are observed.
First, a round of short introductions. If all of the members of the table already know each other, this round can be skipped.
Second, what is “alive” for you is invited to be placed on the table (metaphorically speaking), and there are 4 categories for prompts:
Intellectually
Contextually
Personally
Estuarily
Intellectually is straightforward enough, typically something external to you that “landed” with you recently. Think books, articles, videos, podcasts, etc.
Contextually is more along the lines of what’s “around” you that affects you. It could be your workplace, your neighborhood, your community, another group or association that you’re a part of, etc.
Personally is something much closer to home (possibly literally). This could be a change with family, health, beliefs, doubts, etc.
Estuarily is specifically related to participation in Estuary. If something needs to be addressed, this is an appropriate time to address it.
In this second round, it is acceptable to pass if there isn’t something alive to "put on the table" for potential discussion.
The third round of conversation is based on what was placed on the table, and each person must speak to what is NOW most alive for them, based on the sharings of others. Each person will go around the table, indicating what topic of conversation he or she is most interested in starting with on the fourth round. It's a best practice to not choose one's own topic, though it may end up being the consensus of the group to begin with that nonetheless.
The fourth round takes what was selected in the third round, and opens up a free-flowing conversation beginning with that consensus group selection until the ending of the session altogether.
The entire meeting lasts +/- 90 minutes.
And that’s an Estuary meeting!
