The Body As Prophet!

 

NOTES

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Presentations canceled! Emphasis on sensitivity & spontaneity.

Brief Bio (in 3-5 sentences):
1.
Full name, age, sex, religion, church, marital status, socio-economic info, native place, family background, birthday, wedding anniversary, conversion, education, occupation, full postal address, contact info
2.
What kind of person am I? What is unique about me? Personality,strengths, weaknesses, etc.
3.
What are my strongest convictions and core values?
4.
What am I passionate about? What do I want to do with my life? Hobbies

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“The human spirit (breath/life) is like the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts (bowels).” – Proverbs 20:27.
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“I will praise the Lord , who counsels me; even at night (the quiet darkness) my heart (kidneys) instructs me. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body (flesh) also will rest secure…” – Psalm 16:7‭, ‬9 NIV

UGK: The world mind Vs. The extraordinary intelligence of the body.
No questions for reflection! Distinguish introspection & awareness.
Alan Watts – “In order to come to your senses, you need to go out of your mind.”
From psycho-social to bio-spiritual
From artificial order to natural chaos
Body-prayer, human as cosmic/mystic being, Vidyavanam (wisdom of/from/in/through the woods)
From articulation/description (talking about) to expression/embodiment (showing)!

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Via negativa – create & sustain space – and let the Emergence take place! Body/spirit/heart/passion speak (as opposed to mind/culture/society/reason)! Alternate structure/group/speech with random/solo/silence. Transcend divide between body & nature, self & other, GOD & world
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15 minutes group silence >> 15 minutes solitude & reflection (writing) >> 15 minutes group sharing >> 15 minutes solitude & silence >> 15 minutes group reflection (writing) >> 15 minutes solitude & silence >> 15 minutes group sharing >> 15 minutes solitude & silence……
Do this for 4 hours in the morning and then 2 hours in the afternoon.
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Expression & sharing – no social roles, not about others, not the past or future. Dig deep (into the abyss)! Inwardness. Learning to be present, open & willing – detached, non-judgmental observation.
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Start each session with group silence (9 am & 3 pm).
Silence – focus on your breathing. Relax. Enjoy (minimal thinking). Feel your own body and become more aware your immediate surroundings (sensing). No reflection.
Solitude – Walk around, lie down, balancing, stretch, move joints, posture, etc. Hug trees. Walk barefoot. Stare at the sky. Smell the air.
Expression – record what comes out of your silence and share it in the group. Use your wrong hand to write (Saras)! Drawing, poetry, etc.
Group silence – 3 deep breaths >> eye-contact with everyone >> holding hands (for 3 deep breaths) >> relax & focus on breathing
Group sharing – no recording of others’ sharing. Reflection/writing after sharing by everyone allowed.
No one is allowed to speak even one word out of turn! Shake hands & embrace at the end of last session of the day.
5 minutes buffer in between sessions. Half an hour sessions on 2nd day? Start sessions from noon of first day and finish last session by afternoon of 3rd day. From now onwards, plan retreat for 3 nights & 3 days. First retreat in Kolli Hills (narrative) should’ve been named “Everything is Stories”. This retreat will be called “Together in Solitude”.
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Communication via:
1.
Silence/presence
2.
Language/sounds
3.
Gestures/movement
4.
Touch/eye-contact
5.
Drawing/crafting
Eating together!
Couplings – group & solo; silence & communication; structured & random

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PLAN
Sent invite via WhatsApp, blog, email, Meetup, Facebook Events.
To-Do

Take my board, erasable markers & microfiber cloth. Singing bowl

Everyone bring hardcover notebook & pen. Watch.

Retreat intro ~ 15 minutes

Print handouts – Welcome & intro, bio, contact info, feedback

Take group photo, make collage, print & distribute
Arrangements

Single rooms only (or dorm) – couples cannot live together.
No chatting allowed from 7 am – 5 pm.
Mobile phone or books or music – not allowed throughout the retreat except for emergency.
Time-table

Breakfast 7:30-8 am
Tea 11 am
Lunch 1 pm
Tea 4 pm
Dinner 8:15 pm

Start first session @ 8:30
Sleep 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Second hakd begins @ 2:30

Sunday
Mass 7:15 am
Breakfast 8 am
Day 1:
Arrive at venue – 8 am
Breakfast – 8-9 am
Get settled – 9-10 am
Session 1: 10 am – 1 pm (share bios, get & share contact info)
Lunch – 1-1:30 pm
Nap/relax – 1:30-3 pm
Session 2: 3-6 pm
Casual/free time – 6-11 pm (includes tea & dinner)
Wind down & sleep – 11 pm

1st (group) session of day 1 – retreat intro and personal bios.
10 am – 6 pm – strict silence & contemplative mood

Daily breakdown:
Sleep ~ 8 (7+1) hours
Sessions ~ 6-8 hours
Casual/free time ~ 6 hours (includes dinner)
Miscellaneous ~ 4 hours (hygiene, breakfast & lunch)

Day 2:
Wake up – 7 am
Hygeine – 7-8 am
Breakfast – 8-8:30 am
Session 1: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Lunch – 12:30-1 pm
Nap/relax – 1-2:30 pm
Session 2: 2:30-6 pm
Casual/free time – 6-11 pm (includes tea & dinner)
Wind down & sleep – 11 pm

Day 3:
Wake up – 7 am
Hygeine – 7-8 am
Breakfast – 8-8:30 am
Session 1: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Lunch – 12:30-1 pm
Nap/relax – 1-2 pm
Session 2: 2-5 pm
Last 1 hour (4-5 pm):
Feedback & evaluation
Contact info – keeping in touch & follow-up
Closing comments
Tea, pack-up & goodbyes ~ 5-6 pm
Disperse ~ 6 pm
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Feedback

Early morning 1 session
Lights off by 10 pm
Use of AV aids in presentation
Coordinate practical arrangements beforehand
Make participants reflect/repeat the rules
Enforce format strictly
Rehearse by live guided activity