On our last day of the weekend, we started out with some warm-ups.
We did an activity involving passing an imaginary ball around the circle. The ball could grow or shrink, move, gain weight or transform in any way possible. The catch was that the ball always had to be in someone's hands. This activity made us pay attention to each other's actions in a fun way.
Then, we led each other around the room. In partners, one person closed their eyes and the other led that blinded person around the room by touching hands. The blinded person's hand rested on top of the guide's hand. This was an exercise of trust and coordination, as to not bump into the other pairs around the room! As with all of our experienced activities, the Experiential Learning Cycle applied. We discussed this after each exercise.
Then we made our second attempt at getting to the park. This time was very successful, as the weather was fantastic.
Once at the park, we gathered in a circle under an old tree. Specifically, the species of the tree is the oldest in Ireland. Danny read us the 1854 speech made by Chief Seattle of the Duwamish people of the Lushootseed Native American tribe. The speech was supposedly made by Chief Seattle as a letter to the white government after they proposed to purchase the land from the Native tribe. The speech mentions the differences the Native people expressed in honoring the earth, and the awareness they had for the white people's lack of respect for the earth. Chief Seattle's speech sounded noble and his speech gave the group a lot to think about as we became aware of the beautiful nature in which our workshop was taking place.
Danny brought the group's attention to the importance of connecting with nature, as we each attempted to do so, on our own. We were each to pick a spot in the park that particularly called to us, and to take 15 minutes to consciously reflect and take inventory of the spot. We were to think about the history of the spot--the animals and people that might have passed there, the weather the spot might have experienced, how much the trees in the area might have grown, etc. We were asked to try connecting to the spot, and to be considerate of anything that popped into our minds or seemed to speak to us in the 15 minutes in those spots.
After we each spent time in different spots of the park, we reconvened under a magnificent tree. The tree, pictured below, had huge, hearty branches that could support a human. Some of the group members took to the tree in their private sessions, and some even climbed into the trees branches and laid back.
We joined in conversation to share our experiences from our different spots in the park. We each discussed why we were drawn to our spots.
Then, we each shared what we heard, felt, saw, and experienced in each of our spots.
Lastly, we each shared what we wished we could communicate to the nature in our spots. These three main points were important for each of us to share in realizing our connections that came from the active and reflective time. We were practicing consciousness and awareness in nature.
After a great experience in nature, we all headed back to our building.
Naturally, we all came together for a great lunch, arranged by the group!
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