How well did the facilitator lead the group and create a safe space? Please explain and give examples.
Overall, calm, pleasant and welcoming demeanor, which goes a long way to creating a safe space. Also, going to the group for first input communicates that participant input is important and welcome. Good going to the group with Michael's question, again communicating that participants' thoughts/input is welcome and valuable.
How well did the facilitator explain this Skill using the PowerPoint presentation? Please give examples.
Good intro for the interrelated nature of the three components of compassion, and good amplification by going to group with the question about a time when someone could have been suffering, in need of compassion, but it didn't show. Good going to group when the Eight Worldly Concern slide came up, then summarizing their relationship with attachment/avoidance. Good description of the relevance of compassionate action in slide of Germans hiding fellow Germans who were Jewish during Nazi extermination campaign. Good going to group and good explanation of owl/two wings/compassion/discernment slide.
How well did the facilitator explain and lead the activities in this Skill? Please explain and give specific examples.
NA
How well did the facilitator lead the Mindful Dialogues and Reflective Writing Exercises in this Skill? Please explain and give specific examples.
Very good set-up of RW, including accountability partner reminder.
What aspects of this Skill did you think the facilitator did exceptionally well? Please give examples.
Overall demeanor/presence is excellent (calm, welcoming, accepting, kind). Telegraphing upcoming skills (had a little lapse with one of the names but conceptually a nice touch). Very good noticing who hadn't contributed and then calling on them as an invitation that included an "opt-out clause." Perfect way to engage participants who may be shy or hesitant to respond and can use the boost the gentle singling out can provide, especially when also giving them advance permission (henceforth to be known as "premission" ;0) to pass. Wonderfully resonant, strong voice for leading Contemplative Practice.
How well did the facilitator lead the Contemplative Practice in this Skill? Please explain and give specific examples.
Very well indeed, enhanced by natural strong, resonant voice.
What aspects of this Skill could the facilitator improve? Please give examples.
Linking eight worldly concerns back to self-compassion (which is where they first appear) would have reinforced that connection. More summary emphasis on the interrelated nature of the three components of compassion. A bit more emphasis on what kept so many Germans (most of them) from taking compassionate action to protect/save Jews, in addition to the fear/obedience aspect, in a way that emphasize agency (i.e., the problem seemed far too big for their small actions to have an impact). For owl/two wings metaphor slide, perhaps ask participants why a bird metaphor and/or why the two wings are labeled compassion and discernment, or what's significant about those labels/that interaction. Include page numbers in manual for exercises. When leading Contemplative Practices, would suggest reducing voice volume when first coming back in after silences; a little jarring otherwise.
From Michael: More attention to making questions open-ended (most were, so exceptions were more notable by comparison). Example: Do you know someone who...? vs. What's an example of a time when someone was suffering but it didn't show? Participants were defining empathy when they were being asked to define empathic concern. Would have been better to note that and ensure the correct definition and understanding were shared. Avoid use of "good" and "bad" in favor of "beneficial" and "harmful." Tracking typically not used alone, so better paired with grounding or resourcing. Perhaps better to do a bit more back and forth between co-facilitator, rather than doing lengthy stretches of individual presentation.