Date: Jan 7, 2016
Place: Society House, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry
On January 7, 2016, nine students from IOWA University participated in a workshop on ‘Unleashing the Inner Genius’ with enthusiasm. The students made a series of spontaneous exploration for elements within the self that dominated their present lives through the process of drama. Step by step, via drama, they were facilitated to become aware of what they were, how they functioned and the roots within their selves from which their actions were generated. Delving deep and coming together with their findings, they realized new possibilities of harmonious and progressive community living. The workshop turned out to be a fascinating playground for them where they could shed their inhibitions and discover within their selves aspects that nourish harmonious progress.
The workshop was conducted by Ravi Shanker, an ardent learner, educator, stage and voice actor and now a part of ICIE as creative director for theatre in integral education.
Feedback:
“When you act out of your true nature and realize your pure self, you are able to act without superficial and selfish intentions. Only then can we work towards creating a better future that is accepting of others and their differences. Everyone has something uniquely beautiful to offer to the world that comes from the various ways we perceive it and have lived within it. Being open and accepting of new ideas creates a space for change to happen. I’ve learnt to look deeper within myself and question what makes me feel and think the way I do. Questioning myself allows me to discover more of my pure nature. Beautiful things happen when we are free to be ourselves.”
— Samone Zo, The University of IOWA
“As a nation we are struggling because we find ourselves ‘tolerating’ each other, instead of ‘accepting’ and ‘supporting’. This workshop has allowed me to understand that our minds will focus only on things that we allow it to focus on. So yes, there’s oppression but should we solely focus on what is the problematic issue and stay crippled by it or should we focus on how those issues can be reformed in order to further ourselves? I learnt though America struggles with its beauty . . . we are still growing as we individually enable our self elements to flourish amongst the communities we become involved with . . .”
— Gabrielle Miller, The University of IOWA
“This was an eye-opening experience. It made me reflect a lot about my inner insecurities and reflect on how I can strive to overcome those insecurities. This workshop helped me realize how important I am to society and how society can benefit from me. We may not have the power to do everything all alone, but together we have great strength. I’ll definitely take these techniques back to the USA to further look within and become aware of my inner self. Thank you!!”
— Kesedria Carter, The University of IOWA