Traditionally, spiritual exploration has been a self-focused endeavor, whether done alone or with a community, to inquire into who one is and how they can experience more profound meaning in life, find their life purpose, and, for some, grow closer to God. In the current moment, however, there appears to be a growing movement toward spiritual exploration in small groups of people engaged in a type of circle practice called sacred circles. Access to sacred circles, particularly virtual ones, became commonplace during the pandemic. Research on small groups conducted virtually revealed that through an intentional process, group members can indeed feel connected to one another and a larger reality. The findings from my research indicate that participation in virtual sacred circles may be a growing venue for seekers who wish to awaken in community while also combating the increasing tide of loneliness we are encountering in the West. This chapter applies the study of small groups and its findings to the increasingly popular form of spiritual exploration I call virtual sacred circles and posits the importance of this type of group phenomenon in spiritual exploration and development and in expanding how we conceive of sacred spaces.

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Virtual Sacred Circles: The Rise of Spiritual Exploration in Small Groups

  • Stacey K. Guenther

摘要

Traditionally, spiritual exploration has been a self-focused endeavor, whether done alone or with a community, to inquire into who one is and how they can experience more profound meaning in life, find their life purpose, and, for some, grow closer to God. In the current moment, however, there appears to be a growing movement toward spiritual exploration in small groups of people engaged in a type of circle practice called sacred circles. Access to sacred circles, particularly virtual ones, became commonplace during the pandemic. Research on small groups conducted virtually revealed that through an intentional process, group members can indeed feel connected to one another and a larger reality. The findings from my research indicate that participation in virtual sacred circles may be a growing venue for seekers who wish to awaken in community while also combating the increasing tide of loneliness we are encountering in the West. This chapter applies the study of small groups and its findings to the increasingly popular form of spiritual exploration I call virtual sacred circles and posits the importance of this type of group phenomenon in spiritual exploration and development and in expanding how we conceive of sacred spaces.