By Jessica Armour | project coordinator
We are in the eighth week of the awakening leadership training program. We have around 15 participants who are joining us for at least 2 months for an holistic learning experience. So far, together they have taken a learning journey that has encompassed a deep exploration in worldview, experiences of community building, self discovery through diverse modalities for self healing, art therapy, and non-violent communication. Reflections from the participants express their learning over the past 2 months:
BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF GOOD FRIENDS
The module 1 of ALT 2018 course was a powerful experience that exceeded all my expectations.
The location is an oasis situated only two hours from Bangkok. The lush nature, the ecological buildings and the delicious vegetarian food that is partially locally grow gave the perfect frame for our learnings. Everything there says: ¨here we walk our talk¨.
The way the teaching was given flowed so naturally that I felt like I was just enjoying my time with a group that I had just met. Yet, day by day I felt more connected with my new friends, the quality of our communication deepened and I felt my heart opening to embrace the people and the experiences around me.
During the week, we went through a big volume of contents and activities. Despite it, I didn´t feel overwhelmed or tired, instead I feel enriched by all the knowledge received that is now well absorbed and integrated inside me. This is due the participatory methodology that not only involves the mind and rational thinking but equally the heart and hands in a way that every theory is immediately put in practice, followed by a reflection on the experience. Like that, each lesson become alive and meaningful.
Now I feel myself awake and ready to embarque in this amazing journey of inner and outer discovery that is the ALT program, with the joy to see myself surrounded by empowered and aware people who share the same dream.
- Claudia (Brazil)
SELF HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION
If you could get rid
of yourself just once,
the secret of secrets
would open to you.
The face of the unknown,
Hidden beyond the universe
would appear on the
Mirror of your perception.
~Rumi
Our every day life is being threaten by tsunami of consumerism (promoting greed) and extremism of politic and religions. On the other hand we also try to find peace, balancing social- eco spiritual well being. Could it be possible without knowing ourselves?
We can say that this is the problem of the conscious world.
Actually we are living in another world too,subconscious and unconscious world.
We have to re-establish our conscious relationship to heal our self and other.
Internal family system (IFS) is one of the beautiful tool that can bring authentic life by healing trauma.
Social workers, spiritual activists, parents, teachers, leaders from various field and whoever should be practically use this.
It can built up your spirituality, mind and body stamina.
Then you can understand and work with yourself more.
It might be called as "Democracy of self".
-Thit Sar (Myanmar)
PARADIGM SHIFT - EMERGING CULTURAL VALUES
My overall feeling of this week is that I feel empowered. Even with current social issues and difficulties, with passion and good friendship, we can work on rebuilding sustainable communities together.
.
To really see and feel the “old paradigm”, we visited shopping center and red light district. In both areas, I had the feeling of emptiness and disconnection. I was even not able to think straight on Pat pong street after seeing women represented as commodities. Money has so much power in our current society which allow us to even sacrifice our body and spirit.
.
To see the “new paradigm” action, we visited Nong Sarai community which is one of the most successful sustainable and self-reliable communities in Thailand. They transformed their community after realizing sacrifice of happiness over money. I felt content seeing natural beauty and happy, confident villagers.
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We visited Sulak Sivaraksa and attended Colin Gonsalves’s talk, both of them working for people who are socially vulnerable. They use their power or privilege to support people who cannot defend themselves by risking their own safety. My learning from them is that it is important to associate with poor. If I stay with people who are in same middle class and just focus on earning more money, it might be comfortable, but it does not help people or change society and give more privilege and power to people who are already rich.
.
Through learning, I am no longer doubtful about “alternative” path. Because there are so many people working with new ideas towards a paradigm shift. With good friends and holistic worldview, I believe we can support each other to co-create something new - it might be small yet amazing. That is why we are here at ALT program. I am excited to learn more!
-Azusa (Japan)
THE EASTERN AESTHETIC: SLOW, SMALL, SIMPLE
Module 2 is a course which tries to show us a new way of looking at the world: from valuing bigger, faster, and more to experiencing the benefits of living slow, small, and simple.
Learning about the way of the sloth and the role modern society plays in climate change and different environmental crisis awakens the participant’s curiosity and makes them question their own mindset.
By giving attention to culture (also by rediscovering its practices) and understanding of the economic mindset, we can critically assess the downfalls of limitless growth and start thinking differently about progress. Specifically, this module encourages us to see a new vision of well-being - an important lesson for anyone aiming to live a full life.
Besides theory, these five days included experiences and practices of Japanese flower arrangement (Ikebana), Tea ceremony (Chado), Haiku writing and calligraphy with diverse and wonderful facilitators. According to Professor Keibo Oiwa “everyone can be an artist”. If art can be used in our daily life, it can lead to a more meaningful existence and enhance our mindfulness of it, manifesting a life that is slow, small and simple.
- Ei Ei (Myanmar)
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