sitting in a circle of women

I have been in a women's group for eight months now and it has been such an amazing experience that I wanted to share it here. My women's group is lead by Julie, who has been studying with Jalaja Bonheim http://www.jalajabonheim.com/ . Julie has created a very effective structure for our group that establishes a sacred space, trust, open, respectful communication and builds closeness in way that I have never experienced before in my life. There is something very special in getting to know women deeply that I would never have known outside of this group. There are profound lessons to be learned from a space where liking someone seems insignificant, because you deeply get to know, respect and therefore love everyone.
It is very affirming to be part of a group where every individual woman's experience is respected. Where there is no attempt to fix anyone or their challenges. But rather a space to be with what we are at any given moment. I have learned deep lessons from my group that impact the way I live my life profoundly. I love that these lessons are not points of knowledge that have been told to me, but rather what I have experienced in my woman's circle. I have focused so much in my life on finding knowledge that helps me change my life and support others, that now I have come to love lessons without words. A friend once said to me: "why do you worry so much about growing when you are going to grow anyways? Just enjoy where you are now, you will grow no matter what." I have stayed in unhealthy relationships for way too long in the past, because I thought it was a challenge to grow. Now, I deeply appreciate growing through positive experiences. I think they challenge us to grow as well. It is sacred to sit in a circle with women.