Council weaves ancient practices and wisdom traditions developed over thousands of years throughout many different cultures around the world. It draws from practices like Veche (Slavic), Satsand (Hindu), Ho’oponopono (Hawaiian), Daré (Zimbabwe), Fambul Tok (Sierra Leone), Ibitaramo (Rwanda), Diwan & Loya Jirga (Islam), Farbrengen (Hebrew), and Quaker Devout Listening Circles, to name a few.
In the early days of this country, Benjamin Franklin witnessed the Talking Circles of the Iroquois Nation and wrote about the inspiring collective wisdom practice that he dubbed “Council,” a word derived from Anglo-French cuncile, from Old North French concilie and from the Latin concilium. Incorporating strands from many dialogic traditions throughout North America and around the world, the practice was codified and popularized with the formation of The Ojai Foundation in 1979 and the publication of "The Way of Council," written by Jack Zimmerman and Virginia Coyle, in 1996.
Center for Council began as an initiative of The Ojai Foundation, which was host to decades of seminars, workshops, residencies and lectures by teachers and elders from a wide range of traditions and cultures. Council, as practiced within the programs and workshops offered by Center for Council, evolved from collaboration with these revered teachers and elders over the course of many years. We are deeply indebted to their generosity and insight and profoundly grateful for their care and partnership.
We also recognize that many communities and peoples have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of colonization, violence, and exploitation. Our programs do not condone the use of any language, symbols, objects, or rituals misappropriated from their cultural or spiritual context at the expense of the communities from which these elements originate. We honor the experiences of marginalized peoples, and work to hold space for all people to be empowered and connected in community.
Weaving strands of research and practice conducted throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Center for Council was founded in 2014 under the fiscal sponsorship of Community Partners, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that helps community leaders foster, launch, and grow creative solutions to community challenges. While our base of operations remains in the heart of Southern California, our expanding team of certified Council Trainers travel the world to support individuals, organizations and communities longing for compassion-based tools for developing more skillful communication, deeper connection, resilient relationships and flourishing communities.
In the early days of this country, Benjamin Franklin witnessed the Talking Circles of the Iroquois Nation and wrote about the inspiring collective wisdom practice that he dubbed “Council,” a word derived from Anglo-French cuncile, from Old North French concilie and from the Latin concilium. Incorporating strands from many dialogic traditions throughout North America and around the world, the practice was codified and popularized with the formation of The Ojai Foundation in 1979 and the publication of "The Way of Council," written by Jack Zimmerman and Virginia Coyle, in 1996.
Center for Council began as an initiative of The Ojai Foundation, which was host to decades of seminars, workshops, residencies and lectures by teachers and elders from a wide range of traditions and cultures. Council, as practiced within the programs and workshops offered by Center for Council, evolved from collaboration with these revered teachers and elders over the course of many years. We are deeply indebted to their generosity and insight and profoundly grateful for their care and partnership.
We also recognize that many communities and peoples have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of colonization, violence, and exploitation. Our programs do not condone the use of any language, symbols, objects, or rituals misappropriated from their cultural or spiritual context at the expense of the communities from which these elements originate. We honor the experiences of marginalized peoples, and work to hold space for all people to be empowered and connected in community.
Weaving strands of research and practice conducted throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Center for Council was founded in 2014 under the fiscal sponsorship of Community Partners, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that helps community leaders foster, launch, and grow creative solutions to community challenges. While our base of operations remains in the heart of Southern California, our expanding team of certified Council Trainers travel the world to support individuals, organizations and communities longing for compassion-based tools for developing more skillful communication, deeper connection, resilient relationships and flourishing communities.
