The gathering intially formed five groups. First, each group's responses are noted. Then, the Common Themes from the whole group are noted at the end.

Group 1

Connected - center; without barriers / warm; honored & loved; warm & funny; peaceful & serene

Connectedness; commonality/equal & open; welcoming/open-minded & caring; their reality/with honesty; body language/recognition of spirit

Honesty - openly; freely-spontaneously-naughty; open-freely-warm; clearly-without judgment-honest; visually-physically-kindly

Most are positive; energizing, completion of individual and group communal gathering; SAILING (communal effort)

Kids, basement of family party; 'the playing field was level'; came in, right in mix; rough & tumble, fun; non-verbal communication, physical

Physical; questions asked, info gathered (women's circle); completely accepted for 'who I was'; 'I relaxed & allowed it to happen'

My attention was brought to the act of inclusion by way of an outsider/observer

The way that people made eye contact (of acknowledgement)

To support growth - support growth

Peace - calm

To love

To make people feel at home - to be at love

Create space - grow strong

The heart - the heart

Spirit - meditation

Breath - meditation

Intention - acknowledgement

Requirement of love - more love

Insight

Dealing w/ difference by meditation

Presence of non-verbal

Home

Playfulness, spirited

Commonality - heart/recognition of spirit to transcend difference

Group 2

Friends unfamiliar. Kindness surrounding on the side of a mountain. Everyone works toward one goal, as a team. Differences dissolved.

Goofy, smiley, individual journey through darkness and a journey together that led to freedom and individuality.

Non-competitive. Embarrassment, shedding the layers, trust and faith in one's self.

Holiday, family, sing songs together. Everyone agrees upon a song and a key.

Feeling comfortable with showing a dark side

Authentic

Save

Shed the layers

Open

Friendly

Empowering

Acceptance

Protection

Trust

Non-judgmental

Receptive

Safe to share

Expression of individuality

Unconditional love

Like-minded

No worry about perception

Objective

Understanding

From the heart

Intentions of support

Evolution

Seva

Loyalty is making a personal sacrifice to deepen a relationship

Group 3

Experiences that felt inclusive

Wedding - how do we want our guest to feel there? Knees fell out beneath me! Feeling of inclusion - yoga, commitment, heartfelt. Surrounded by people who love me but more that they know I love them. I know my experience, my guests are also experiencing it. Paths were laid down.

Collective group of friends - came together - art event - everyone enjoyed similar music, arts, etc. Helped plan it. Everyone there wanted to manifest their vision. Support of community

Teaching yoga at Vital - smiling, openness; Open - kula practice - when others committed to it, felt included. Congregation - co-participation. Coming together to celebrate and share. Playful.

Surrounded by people who are invested in you. Feeling that you are being 'listened to'

Features of ideally inclusive community:

• How does inclusive community feel: warm welcomed, heard, accepting
• Perception - how do you perceive others? More free/less restrictive, equal, authentic enthusiastic, vibrant, safe, less fearful
• Communicate: considerate, respectful, playful, welcoming, honesty, non-judgmental, listening, soulful, compassionate, humility, connection to core values/ with integrity.
• Intentions - create community, broaden, healing, support, receive support/receptive, contribution, expansive, to teach and be taught.
• What do you have in common? Shared vision. Practice. Dedication to practice.

Differences in society?

See it as an asset. With respect, array of economic means - that person's gift/ no disdain, no jealousy in the community

Honoring each other's individuality.

They dealt with our practice.

Equanimity

Holding space

Support

Healing/health/wholeness - so much can be healed when we feel included/feel a part of the whole

Playfulness/lightheartedness

Authenticity

Expansive!

Group 4

Family

Food

Management / caretake / trying to fix something

Warm / safe / smells good

Play / other kids

Brother - best friend - we talked about it

Home - honoring - scooped up and buoyant, supported

Same poignant vision - deep sadness - stories

Women - pregnant - frightened - support - gave clothes - vulnerable - felt nurtured

Felt like family - working towards a common goal - shared every day things - laughing / having fun / afraid - had each other to support

Yoga class - alive and vibrant

Every Sunday ski w/ son / daughter

Common thing. Fun. Heaven on earth.

Family - community. Surround yourself with successful people, older friends

Fed off energy, elevated energy. Respecting each others ideas, not judging.

Ideally Inclusive - feelings:

Nurture

Caring

Directed

Safe

Secure

Fuzzy

Loving

Inspired

Liberating

Snuggled

Spooned

Hugged

Touched

Sensitivity

Present

Seen

Acknowledged

Ideally inclusive - perceptions:

Non-threatening

Like mindedness

Protective

Respect

Blind

Buffy

Non-assuming

Intentions

How do you deal w/ people's differences?

Cause is bigger than the differences

Communication

Nonverbal questions

Action

Smiles

How do you include people comfort?

Family safe common goal / need

Connection

Group 5

Features of an Inclusive Community

• Unique. Different backgrounds, welcomed, praised, 'into the fact of being different', acceptance, it was a 'we' thing; open to communicate; nurturing
• Celebration of love; welcome & comfortable; warm, eye contact; visually beautiful; audio wonderful; beset behavior; sincere; special time; great place to revisit; memorable
• Trainings; common goals; retreat; good time, relaxed setting, easy of just 'being; acceptance; laughter; hugging, relating to people on a deeper level
• All worked so hard to be there; mutual respect of abilities; same page; time together; trust; open; teasing as a way of expression; I belong here, I know I do, Everyone else feels I do too.
• Taken care of; no worries about what's going to happen; fearless

Ideas of Inclusive Community

• Vulnerability; softening of the individual; acceptance; non-judgmental, celebrating each other's gifts
• Feels- safe, whole, comfortable, good, easy, peaceful, full
• Perception - non-judging, perceive their beauty, welcoming, inviting openness, curiosity, willingness, seeing the good
• Communicate - we, clear communication, gentleness, being nice, receptive - open to feedback, willing to listen, not petty.
• Intentions - big picture, power of togetherness, strength in numbers, cuddle time, focus, collective goal, equally valued, celebrate the uniqueness and each other's triumphs.
• Commonalities - something bigger than ourselves, acceptance, tolerance, freedom, healing, better health, improve the quality of life, make the world a better place

Common Themes as a full group  - Deep Inclusion

Individual journey through darkness

Journey together -> freedom and individuality

Empowering

Loyalty is making a personal sacrifice to deepen a relationship

Family

Safe

Connection

Common goal or need

Sharing heart, sharing spirit

Unconditional love

Transcending differences via recognition of spirit

Looking deeply into others eyes & recognize

Expansive

Honesty

Authentic

Equanimity

Support

Healing

Vulnerability

Softening of individual self

Celebrating each others gifts & uniqueness

Non-judgment & tolerance

Playfulness, humor, laughter, positivity

Communication - open and a lot and clear

Trust

Love

Forgiveness

Creating support system to feel safe to evolve

Celebrating our unique gifts and contributions

Acceptance

Celebrating, even places where you're challenged; where we are today

Commitment to work through it together, including hard times

Inviting people who are aren't already apart

Letting go of 'shoulds', open to grace

Welcoming people home

Creating, ensuring safe space to step outside of comfort zone

Commitment to show up, leave our stuff at the door

Welcome new people from second they step through the door

Genuine listening

Nurturing initial experience:  How can they feel at home?  They could be terrified.

Create a soft place to fall

Breathing, presence - creates connection

Light, laughter, have fun

Willingness to be more helpful; meet them where they're at

Seek out the one who is not yet included