Presence Is How We Love in Community
At Awaken, presence is more than a skill, it’s the way we meet one another. These Standards of Presence express our shared commitment to creating brave, loving spaces where every voice belongs and growth unfolds naturally. When we show up with curiosity, courage, and care, we become part of something larger than ourselves: a community rooted in trust and transformation.
Awaken Coach Institute Standards of Presence
These Standards of Presence form the essence of our commitment to one another in the classroom, and community, setting. We invite course participants to read them before our first meeting and come prepared to discuss them.
If there are principles of working together that you feel are missing for the group to be a safe space for you, you'll want to come prepared to add your modifications. These standards will help us to build and maintain the trust in the group that will enable us to share openly and experience the greatest amount of growth possible during our time together.
All groups that come together for the purpose of learning, creating, communicating, living, or celebrating are served when the creation and maintenance of a brave space is established. A truly brave group environment provides the basis for powerful transformation, empowering exploration, inspired collaboration, and vibrant living. The use of the Standards of Presence, a clearly articulated and easy-to-understand set of guidelines, provides a proven container of safety in any group.
The primary underlying principle of the Standards of Presence is acceptance. We are all in the same boat. It is important to recognize and affirm that everyone in the group is doing their best to learn, grow, respect, and follow these Standards.
It is also important to recognize that self-acceptance is particularly beneficial to experiencing a safe, empowering environment where it becomes possible to learn, create, communicate, and celebrate.
Committing to our Standards - the Practice
My intention is to:
1. Honor Confidentiality
What is shared here stays here. When I share someone else's story, I will do so in a way that respects and celebrates them—without names or identifying details.
2. Embrace a Beginner’s Mind
I release the urge to compare or evaluate. Instead, I will stay open and “try on” new ideas with curiosity.
3. Focus on Growth
I will embrace both my strengths and areas for growth. Even when learning feels challenging, I recognize that growth is happening—and that is exciting! I will also celebrate the strengths I see in others and nurture them within myself.
4. Connect Deeply
I will be fully present and listen with an open heart. I will welcome new insights with curiosity, releasing judgment and limiting beliefs.
5. Own My Experience
I take responsibility for my learning and growth. I will speak from my own perspective using “I” statements and refrain from advising others on what they should do, feel, or believe.
6. Listen with Respect and Presence
When someone is speaking, I will be fully engaged, without distractions, side conversations, use of the chat, or other interruptions. I will listen with curiosity, honor their courage, and look for the wisdom they share.
7. Offer Authentic Acknowledgment
I will give genuine, strength-based feedback that speaks to the heart of what I experience. I will resist the urge to give unsolicited advice or criticism and instead hold space for others with warmth and presence.
8. Receive Support with Gratitude
I will welcome acknowledgment as the gift that it is. I will remain present, make eye or heart contact, and simply say, “Thank you,” without deflecting or diminishing the moment.
9. Practice Self-Care and Personal Responsibility
I will share only what feels comfortable and honor my own needs for emotional safety. I trust others to take care of themselves and release any urge to rescue or fix. If judgment arises, I will acknowledge it and choose a more compassionate focus.
10. Be Fully Present
I will uphold these agreements inside and outside our brave space. I will arrive on time, attend all sessions, and catch up on missed discussions. I will trust my intuition and allow all forms of intelligence to guide me.
By committing to these practices, I help create a space of trust, growth, and deep connection—for myself and for the group.
Adapted from the Standards of Presence from the Inspired Learning Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.inspiredlearning.org.
Testimonials
Sira
The Awaken Coach Institute's program created something I didn't expect: a community of the most incredible humans I've ever encountered. The staff's commitment to deep, transpersonal work attracted participants who were equally committed to authentic growth.
The transpersonal focus doesn't just create coaches—it creates leaders who can facilitate lasting change because they've experienced it themselves. This isn't just coach training. It's a homecoming to who you're meant to be.
Barbara
The Awaken All-In-One program in Spain was a turning point for me, both personally and professionally. After years of coaching, I wanted more than theory—I wanted a growth experience that would challenge me, expand my skills, and reset my mindset. The immersive format, the community of peers, and the intensive learning environment in such a beautiful setting gave me exactly that. I returned with greater clarity, confidence, and the ability to go deeper in my coaching, as well as a renewed sense of what’s possible for me as a leader and human being.
Katherine
I recommend this course if you are ready to deepen your loving engagement others and with yourself.
The course covered all the basics of coaching competencies while fostering deeply meaningful personal development. The self-study program and the group practices contribute to well-being in wholistic ways – body, mind, spirit and community. Supportive partners are becoming dear friends.
Making the world a braver, more loving place.
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