A few students participated in the “Being Human” Workshops conducted by The Tehelka Foundation at the Krishna Rabilal Foundation in Merebank, Durban.
The workshop, which took place on the 30th September and 1st October, had students from various schools and organizations in Merebank. Over two days they indulged in some serious questioning with their inner self as well some amazingly fun creative expression through theater and art.
At the Merebank workshop organized by the Krish Rabilal Foundation, the mixed group of participants come from a fairly comfortable economic strata and have been chosen carefully from their schools for their leadership qualities. They are more forthcoming and responsive right from the word Go! But the concerns are similar to their peer group in Phoenix – the same fears, alienation, loneliness and a rejection of themselves. The two day workshop here focuses on Emotions, and responses to situations as an indicator of their inner state of being, in an attempt to understand themselves better.
“During the course of the workshop I learnt how to share feelings, how loving unconditionally feels….I remember when I told my father the theme of this workshop, he asked me “are you not human?” If he asks me now I will tell him because I have learnt that being human does not mean breathing in and out, but to know yourself and other people.”
At the BEING HUMAN workshops, participants are made aware of the Universe of Energies that they inhabit, as an external mirror to the energy states that exist within them. Reflecting the rhythms of expansion and contraction, they are made conscious of the two primeval states of energy that exist – that of Fear and Darkness as opposed to Light and Love. And the Free Will of each individual, his right to chose which Energy state he wants to center himself in, whether that of Fear or Love, and thereby flow accordingly. This is a concept the children understand instinctively and express so beautifully….
“What are my Fears?
Fear of not being able to accept people because of trust issues
Fear of being rejected by people I love
Fear of being alone
Fear of not knowing of what comes after death
Who can I trust?
No One!
Been hurt too many times…will not allow myself to be hurt again!”
“From this workshop I learnt that being human is very different from the one that I have been interpreting. I now learnt that to be human you don’t have to be like someone or have what someone else has. To be human is to know where you have come from and to treat others in the way in which you would want to be treated. You need to know and be aware of your and people’s emotions around you. No emotion is good or bad, it is what you make of it…the thing that I will keep with me forever from this workshop is that in order to love someone else you first need to love yourself and respect yourself.”
“What have I learnt? I have learnt not to judge people until I have walked in their shoes, as many people are faced with similar or difficult problems. I have learnt how to overcome my fears and deal with my problems and emotions in a more calm way. I have learnt how to open my heart to people and how to trust.”
I come away in gratitude. Gratitude for all the love and joy I have received from these children these past ten days. For the Grace I have assumed to always be present. I wish these children the same grace from the all encompassing, all compassionate Creator, hoping that this time we have shared and learnt from one another will enable them to negotiate through Life’s stumbling blocks and challenges, connecting them to their innate humanity as they go about creating an empowered world of Hu-Mans, worthy of Light!
- Puneeta Roy
Here are some interesting pictures from the workshop:
