« back to facilitation

THE PRACTICE OF MINDFULNESS IN REPORTING

In reporting back to the group, there is often a wish from the reporter to please everybody in the group by referring to most things in a very general way to what was said. This has a value. But the reporter has an opportunity to draw upon one, two or three insights that he or she finds important. The reporter can expand briefly on the truth of these insights in the three minutes allotted to the reporter.

In a newspaper, the reporter gives the essence of the whole story in the opening sentence. It grabs the reader’s attention. The reporter might consider the same or a similar approach rather than giving various generalisations or treating lightly what was said.

The reporter has an opportunity to make her or his report a short dharma teaching, based on what was listened to. It may be to act as a pure mirror for the insights shared in the small group or a mixture of what was listened to and what the reporter felt was important and deserves further expansion upon. (Obviously, this latter approach may not be suitable in other kinds of small group meetings where the reporter only mirrors back to the general assembly).

Short sentences to the point have a quiet power to them but it is not easy to communicate in such a way. It takes practice to be clear and effective as a reporter. The purpose with these reporting sessions is for all the assembly to come to some insights on the theme that was discussed in the small group meeting - rather than just be offered vague perceptions.

It is worthwhile listening carefully to each person’s report. It is an important function. It is part of the training of the mind to mirror accurately a point or two and comment on it, if necessary. It is not easy for some people to report factual points that were expressed so that others have a clear sense of the content of the meeting as well as the atmosphere.

In essence, the Buddha says: “Let us hear the Dharma. Just as though there was someone pressing out pure honey and a large number of people were poised in expectancy, so it is when giving the Dharma to a large assembly.” (Middle Length Discourses 77).

It is the task of the reporter to squeeze out the pure honey from the small group meeting and offer it to the assembly.

« back to facilitation