Stop & Start
er...layers of body?
Amir suggested to members to always stop before we start. And probably the first example of Stop & Start was demonstrated by Amir himself the day before.
He explained to members the different layers of our body, using terms familiar in Auroville such as the vital body and mental body. Members were mentally trying to find equivalents in terminologies they were more exposed to.
Then he began to facilitate the attention confusion game where a mental task of completing a walk within a certain time is mixed with the vital body being influenced by music playing.
Members became totally confused even before the game began and could not understand what it was about.
Amir stopped and restarted. He separated the game into two, one using the mental body and the other using the vital body for members to experience the difference. And then an integrated version where members walked fully integrating their bodies.
- day 2 -
hidden objects
Three small objects were hidden in the room in highly visible places. Members were asked to walk around the room and try spot them but not to disclose. It was an exercise of global awareness and intuition.
With each person, the path and speed of discovery of each object was different. In each round, there would be members with difficulty of finding a particular object.
When in difficulty, always remember to stop and start again.
- day 2 -
give permission
F. asked about what to do when children do not follow instructions and want to follow their own wish to express.
Amir replied that what's for children to develop is for them to be in contact with themselves. We as grown-ups are trying to model them into something else. But each child is unique.
He suggested to be first in touch with the wider self of ourselves, and then go in contact with the child. Give permission to work on ourselves. If we come to the classroom full of joy and passion, the children will feel it too.
"Stop before we start."
This was the context in which the suggestion was given.
- day 3 -