Last year I submitted my poetry to a creative contest put on by the Kula Collective, a group of yogis/ creative facilitators. I won $600 off one of their Creative Facilitator Intensive trainings. It was a big step up in my understanding of group dynamics and the art of facilitating.

The final project was an ‘Art Play’ where we were to integrate what we learned into a creative expression. I was pretty cliché with my presentation, but it sort of just, happened. I was learning about the art of presence, just being with what’s present between two humans and what’s within me.

I put on some instrumental music and spent a moment sitting with each person in the group, gazing into their eyes. Yeahhh I did the eye gazing thing. After our moment together, I had each person add their creative flare to this tree above. It was my way of connecting with everyone, and then having everyone connect.

My ego had a typical experience. I thought that the persons I experienced the most resistance with while gazing, had resistance to being present with me and themselves. Who knows what the ‘objective’ reality of this experience was, but subjectively, I thought I was making others uncomfortable. Really, I was pushing my own limits! Presenting myself to others without words… with all the fears and wants in my being.

I was uncomfortable for about 6 months after this.

😅 vulnerability hangover. Definitely pace yourself.