How do I feel about myself where I am now? (TIWC 02-12-08)

How do I feel about myself where I am now? What makes me feel alive? What recent experiences make me feel this way?

When the attendees of the Peacemakers’ Tuesday Inner Work Circle (TIWC) were asked these questions last February 12, 2008 there was a long pause. As usual the self-reflection guide questions has prompted each one to look within from the depths of the self and review one’s life journey in order to find the answers.

Refreshingly, there were a number of new faces in the circle who were warmly welcomed. It was once again a colorful and diverse group formed as it composed of Christians, Hindus, Muslims, indigenous or unaffiliated – coming from Congo (Africa), India and Indonesia (aside from the locals from the different regions of the Philippines). It would have been more interesting if the regular Japanese and Korean members were able to make it then!

As if the diversity of faith traditions, nationality and culture were not enough – the age range, field of work, social background and the life stories (later on shared ) were wide and richly varied!

Not all among the 13 participants were able to share their reflections and insights as the privilege to speak first was given to the fresh new faces in the circle whom everyone wanted to hear from and get to know. True enough, their sharings were all rich and inspiring that the rest contented themselves to just listening to their life journeys.

From a martial arts instructor who has been a runaway and lived in the sewers and parks once in his life as a child; to a preschool teacher who affirms that she has been learning lessons more from her pupils rather than the other way around; to a foreign priest with a fueling passion for interfaith dialogue who is starting to explore the world outside the academe; to an amiable jetsetter Muslim family man who has breezed through his doctorate degree in Japan—who not be awe-inspired by their stories?

In the sessions to come we hope to see more of our new found co-journeyers on this path towards self awareness, transformation and growth as we strive to be the change we wish to see in the world.

Next week (Feb. 19) we continue with the sharing on the same theme to hear from the others who were not able to share and focus on the latter guide question: What gives me the feeling of being truly alive and well? What experience lately made me feel that way?

See you then!