When Covid struck, we were approached to run a programme for professionals affected by the economic impact of Covid. These included those who had lost their jobs.
I spoke to someone who said that in the past when such programmes were offered during other crises, the participants came with strong negative feelings like anger. Instead of making us shrink back in fear, my heart only wanted to do this even more:
How could we be their refuge from the storm where they are held in care even if briefly?
When I have gone through deep painful feelings, I have found them to be portals for healing and transformation. How could we walk with them through this portal?
When I design a programme, I sense with my heart the hearts of those who are going to enter our classroom:
What would they be feeling? When have I felt this myself? What would their deepest, secret struggles be? What can our space offer that other spaces may not?
I researched what people in their situations may be going through and learned about how people tie their identity to work – so what happens when work is gone? How could we use this liminal space to support transformation and not just resilience? We used the metaphor of the caterpillar entering its chrysalis to emerge into what it was truly born for.
We ran over 20 runs of the three-day programme we designed for hundreds of people. I was humbled by the tears, breaking open of hearts, healing I witnessed.
One participant opened up about a tragedy of someone close to her which she had not processed. While our session did not mention what she was referring to, the space allowed her to feel safe to go to this dark place, and get professional support we connected her to. She thanked me in a way that I felt so profoundly grateful to receive.
Another gave me this beautiful drawing she did during one of the activities in the programme. She said our course was like yeast to bread; that it made the participants rise, expand, be light, softer, stronger and have added value.
At the end of the programme, we read to them this piece below I wrote. I wanted them to know that they were unconditionally loved, regardless of the current state they were in – almost groundless, formless. I wanted them to feel held. Yet, I wasn’t sure how they would respond to the word “love” which is not often used in professional contexts.
You are worthy as you are now.
You are precious as you are now.
You are loved as you are now.
May you see yourself with kind eyes.
May you believe in your new dreams.
May you give and serve with generosity.
May you receive with grace.
May you build a more beautiful and fulfilling life.
May you become a version of yourself that is stronger, wiser and kinder.
You are worthy as you are now.
You are precious as you are now.
You are loved as you are now.
There were tears and heart emojis consistently across the runs. My heart was so touched and encouraged. May we dare to express love on new ground.
And one of the classes created a Christmas memento book where one image or phrase that each lecturer had left them with was adorned on the tree. “You are loved” was right there. If that was all they remembered and took away as a felt experience from the three days, our job was done.
Vadivu Govind