Rooted Sangha – Session Three Summary

Theme: Fears that keep us alive, fears that keep us from living

As most of the conversations are sacred to the circle, I only ever offer a brief overview here.

This evening, our circle settled into that delicate space between protection and expansion.

We spoke of fears that serve us — the kind that keep us safe, grounded, alive — and the ones that whisper “stay small,” “don’t try,” “don’t belong.”

We noticed how protective fears, like suspicion of danger or dread of burnout, can be wise allies in our survival. These were fears that had once shielded us and, when honoured, might still guide us toward wise choices.

We also named the quieter, more insidious fears — the fear of judgment, of not belonging, of failure — those that dim our spark and keep us from living fully. Naming them was not a confession. It was an invitation to come home to ourselves.

To support this conversation further, here are three beautifully aligned resources:

1. Go In and In: Poems From the Heart of Yoga by Danna Faulds This tender and deeply felt collection of poetry offers soft entry points into courage, vulnerability, and the heart’s quiet knowing. A poem can be a meditation — and Faulds’ words often unfold like one.

2. Introduction to Internal Family Systems by Richard C. Schwartz IFS offers a courageous, compassionate framework for working with our inner parts — the protectors, the wounded, the thoughtful, the fearful. It aligns perfectly with our theme: meeting fear not by rejecting it, but listening to its voice, learning what it protects — and finding balance.

3.Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown A powerful book about belonging, courage, and staying true to yourself even when it’s uncomfortable. Brené reminds us that bravery isn’t loud — it’s deeply vulnerable, and fiercely honest.

And here are the resources I created for this evening's theme:

Sangha - AhimsaFear.pdf

Download PDF • 4.65MB

The journal prompts for this week:

Giving Back

It was decided that, after covering room and fuel costs, all proceeds from Rooted are being saved to support a local cause, to be chosen together later this year — as a small act of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion in action.

This week we put £15 aside again, making the total £50. Soon, we will need to agree on which charity or cause to send our first donation to.

Going Forward

This week's optional homework is to complete the resources in the PDF above. Next session, we will continue our exploration of Ahimsa.

Thank you, as always, for showing up. For listening inward. For walking this path with gentleness and grit.

May you befriend your fear.

May your courage be soft and steady.

May your centre hold.

With love, Vicki x