Around HIV is a safe space of mutual respect where the participants – persons living with HIV and their loved ones – gather to express their experience, be heard and noticed. This is moreover a chance to learn new forms of listening to one another and of expressing one’s thoughts and emotions.

The mechanism of the meeting is inspired by various forms of contemplative circles, such as: Women's Circles, Speaking Circles Directly from the Heart, the practice of Social Meditation. Bartek Arobal Kociemba, a visual artist and Shambala Buddhist teacher, has since 2008 been lecturing on meditation and conducting workshops, programs and retreats within the framework of the Buddhist path and secular Shambala teachings.

moderator: Bartek Arobal Kociemba

photo A. Zawada