What am I being called to do? (TIWC 01/22/08)

Infinite Peace!

Last Jan.22 at the Peacemakers’ Tuesday Inner Work Circle (TIWC) a group of 10 gathered for a session of reflections and sharing.

Starting with kamustahan or touching-base with each other, the participants shared their highlight experiences within the past week. Some extra time were given here as we listened to an old-time peacemaker friend who came to reconnect with the circle and to “re-energize” herself by re-joining.

After a short silencing of the mind and praying for the self and the world, the circle then proceeded to the sharing of reflections on the theme: “What am I being called to do? Where am I being led to?”

There were two main kinds of responses to the topic, each from the two main generations to which the participants belong. The first batch of sharing came from the “more mature” generation whose common response to the guide question is the act of “slowing down”. Finding themselves resonating with each other’s sharing, we heard the general theme of “taking a sabbatical”, “doing less with the body and more of the spirit”, “giving less and receiving more”, “do more by sitting down and letting others (the younger ones) do more of the standing/marching around”.

On the other hand, the younger generation had a different – yet equally insightful and rich –set of responses to the same question. Although not having already established in a particular field of work nor having fully forged paths along clearly envisioned life missions, the younger minds spoke of bright hopes and fiery passion waiting to unfold and to be unleashed. This was evident from the words of wisdom they quoted as they shared their reflections:

“A single tree falling makes more noise than a whole forest growing.”

“It is not enough to stare at the stairs and know where you are going—you must step up the stairs and get there!”

Truly, wisdom it is not in the number of years or in the range of experiences, but in our ability to reflect on/ “listen to” these experiences; be aware and learn the lessons from them; and walk the talk (or even just sit the talk, eventually!) and apply what is learned at any level of existence.

Next week (Jan.29) is the last Tuesday of the month which usually means that it is time for the TIWC Open Evening for the month.

Our first Open Evening (in-house) for the year will feature “Stillness in Movement” a sharing on T’ai Chi, Qi-Gong and other Oriental Healing Arts by Orlan de Guzman, Jr.

See you then!