33 Intakes in 8 Days - Heat and Intensity

Wow, ten-hour days in this heat is intense! We’re deep into the intake meetings, and I am feeling both inspired and tired.

I feel very lucky to witness the heartfelt commitment and the individual stories of each participant. Each person comes to this leadership training with such unique vision and passion for change in their country, which is facing massive challenges. While I am not out seeing the country in a traditional way, I am getting an intimate feel for the lives of the people here.

I am present for each meeting, holding space, doing my best to connect my breath and heart with each person, and keep myself energized and aware of what’s going on all around us so I can attend to anything that might cause distraction.

As we are moving through one after another session, I am awed by James’ dedication to truly serve each person. He is fully present in his whole being, openly listening and tracking each person’s unique way of being in the world, offering clarity that allows each person to see his or herself in a new light. Usually our way of being and seeing in our world is invisible to us, which is why it can be so hard to make the changes we yearn for. So when our way is clearly and compassionately pointed out to us, it can be quite a powerful insight! This isn’t just a new idea for someone – it’s a real acceptance of where they are at, an expanded view on what they are growing into, and clear direction how to get there. It’s quite touching to watch this happen, as participants are often visibly moved, and there is a visceral sense of relaxation or greater energy in them and in the room. At times I have felt like I’m watching a soccer game, on edge for that moment to arise!

In order to sit with five people each day for an hour and half in dripping wet heat, it is necessary for us to take good care of ourselves. We are continuing to practice yoga and meditation each morning, getting enough sleep, and eating good food prepared by a woman named Blessing, a very appropriate name for her! After the last session each night, we gather for dinner with the rest of the One Sky team, where we always end up in some interesting philosophical conversation. For example, on the implications of the work we’re doing here as North Americans, given the historical and present day power dynamics, and how we can stay as conscious as possible of this, while knowing there is no way we can truly ever see the whole picture.

As all this is going on, I’m also strongly pulled to just keep FEELING. And there is so much to feel! On some level there is more to feel than I could ever even try to comprehend or put words to. There have already been a few times where I have just needed to go to my room on a break, totally blasted open or contracted closed by the immensity of it all … the shared humanity in these beautiful individual’s lives, the scope of what is so different that I cannot see or know, the undercurrents of suffering and joy, and then just my small and limited way of trying to make sense of it all. Honestly, I could easily get lost in feeling all this. Yet it keeps coming, I make a conscious choice to do my best to stay open and remain with my priority, which is the work we are doing.

Hopefully, the water will be turned on tonight so we can shower and rinse off this humid sweat. And if I’m lucky, the people across the street who play loud Nigerian dance music until the late hours, will either go to bed early tonight, or play something that will at least give me entertaining dreams. We have another full day tomorrow!