PURE PRESENCE: Eye Gazing for Witnessing & Receiving

PURE PRESENCE: Eye Gazing for Witnessing & Receiving
Location: Rockford Road Library Meeting Room

Pure Presence is a sacred gathering where we slow down and eye gaze in short increments. We rediscover what it means to truly see and be seen.
This eye gazing practice begins with simple presence. As we stay with it, something shifts. We begin to see one another more clearly, without judgment or expectation.

From this place, we practice not only witnessing another person, but also receiving their presence and allowing ourselves to be seen.
To receive is to allow another person's attention, presence, and regard to reach us. It is the willingness to soften our defenses, suspend self-judgment, and experience what it feels like to simply be seen without needing to perform, explain, or become anything different.

We gather to:

• Practice the art of sacred witnessing
• Awaken awareness through intentional presence
• Experience connection beyond words
• Heal disconnection through attention and stillness
• Practice both witnessing and receiving through conscious presence

We do this not as a novelty, but as a rhythm for our community to anchor presence, connection, and shared humanity.

WHAT WE ARE PRACTICING

Sacred Witnessing
The simple act of being fully with someone. Not to fix, advise, or interpret, but to remain present and aware.

Receiving
A deepening of presence. As we soften judgment and self-protection, we practice allowing ourselves to be seen, acknowledged, and impacted by another person's presence. Receiving invites openness, trust, and a willingness to let connection reach us.

Stillness as Love
Letting go of words and entering a quieter space where connection is felt rather than spoken.

Awareness of the Field
As we practice together, we begin to notice the shared experience we are creating through our presence and attention.

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Mission of Tribe of One Love
We are a community devoted to expanding our capacity to practice love for all—cherishing the sacredness of every human, nurturing meaningful connection, and living the wisdom of love in action. In doing so, we cultivate joy and awaken a higher consciousness that inspires more connected lives for ourselves, our families, and the world around us.

Purpose of Sessions
Transformation. Our gatherings are spaces for authentic connection and shared growth, with transformation at the heart of why we come together. We come together not to debate or persuade, but to listen, reflect, and expand in love and curiosity. At the end of each discussion, we invite each participant to share a takeaway—what they’ve learned, how their views have shifted, or what they might do differently because of the conversation.

Tribe of One Love Community Guidelines
We are perfectly imperfect humans, practicing love together. These guidelines are not standards of perfection, but invitations to practice with intention and care.

We are rooted in love, curiosity, and growth.
We’re here to reflect, share, and expand our awareness together—rather than debate, persuade, or convert. We prioritize presence and experiential learning.

We are here to practice unity through shared humanity.
We aim for connection, not correction. We choose language and ways of relating that support understanding, and we avoid us-vs-them framing or language that dehumanizes, morally sorts, or pressures others into positions.

We are a nonpartisan, non-denominational space.
People from all walks of life are welcome. Personal lived experiences may include religion or politics, but no ideology—religious, political, partisan, or otherwise—should be promoted or belittled. These topics are outside the scope of our space, as we prioritize shared humanity over division.

We show up as both teachers and students.
We look forward to hearing a diversity of reflections, reactions, and perspectives. Take in what resonates and release what doesn’t. We value spaciousness—pausing, listening, and allowing insight to unfold organically.

Speak from personal experience.
Use “I” language. Share what’s true for you without trying to fix, assume, advise, or preach—unless invited. Frame your perspective as your lived experience rather than presenting opinions as universal truth. This leaves room for others to share theirs.

Avoid assumptions.
Don’t assume others share your background, values, or beliefs. Our diversity is a strength. Speaking as if we all think alike can make others feel excluded or unsafe.

Honor the complexity of healing.
Healing is nuanced, layered, and deeply personal. With a trauma-informed lens, we recognize it unfolds across emotional, relational, and biological dimensions. We avoid one-size-fits-all paths or formulaic solutions. Go at your own pace, guided by your inner compass.

You are welcome to bring your real experiences—with purpose.
If you’ve ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or worn down by life and the state of the world, you are not alone. Bring what’s real in the spirit of healing and learning. We name pain not to vent or complain without direction, but to seek clarity, understanding, and transformation.

Practice equity of voice.
Be mindful of how much space you’re holding. If you speak often, consider stepping back. If you’re usually quiet, know your voice matters—we’d love to hear from you.

Welcome disagreements as part of growth.
When conflict or misunderstanding arises, we pause and acknowledge what others are sharing. We respond with curiosity rather than certainty, take responsibility for our own reactions and feelings, and practice repair.

Let our space ripple outward.
What’s learned here, we hope transforms not only ourselves, but our families, communities, and beyond. Our space is sacred—not because it is perfect, but because we hold it together.

Thank you for visiting!
To learn more, visit www.tribeofonelove.com.
To support our mission, visit https://tribeofonelove.com/donate.