Senses and Sensitivity - workshop on sensory writing and self-awareness

7/30/2019 Senses and Sensitivity - workshop on sensory writing and self-awareness

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The end of 2012 – a much talked about time – was eventful in a subtle, intensive and inward way. Sri Aurobindo

Society organized a unique workshop SENSES AND SENSITIVITY on ‘Sensory writing and Self Awareness’ in

Pondicherry at the close of the year - December 2012 (28th, 29th, 30th). An intense, committed and keen group

gathered from various parts of India – Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Gurgaon, Erode, Bhopal,

Delhi… for the experience.

The participants experimented with and explored the relation between words and senses, silence and expression,

sharing and aloneness. Through exercises, walks, activities, readings, sharing and silence, a creative journey was

undertaken. A journey both outward and inward...

Glimpses…

Day 1

It began with flowers - understanding the silent call, the secret heart of a flower and through that, one’s own inner

heart. The participants were asked to gaze at the various flowers placed at the center, walk around them and look

at them from various angles. Then they were to choose ‘the one’ which called out to them, which pulled at their

heart and sit in a circle with their flower in hand. The flowers were silently and slowly passed around and the

participants absorbed all aspects of the flowers – the shape, fragrance, hues, texture, appearance, feel. Finally theparticipants were asked to sit and free-write whatever arose from the experience.



The writings were then read and shared with the group.

The other main activity of the day was an experiment with sounds using musical instruments. A brief

understanding was shared about the difference of listening to a sound and experiencing it. The effect of sounds on

our body and our emotional and mental fabric was to be observed as different sounds from different instruments

were produced before the blindfolded participants. After each sound they had to write down what they felt. This

activity was followed with a sharing session, and everyone got to observe the similar and different reactions to the

same sound.

After tea and snacks, there was a game (‘Follow the sound’) based on sounds, much to the amusement of the

onlookers and fun for the participants. Everyone then left to change and prepare for the ‘mehfil’ . The ‘mehfil ’ was

organized in the evening at the Good Guest House, amidst candles, flowers, music and soulful interaction. Difficultto describe, impossible to forget!



DAY 2

Nine o’clock and everyone was in the bus – some of us secretly prayed for rain, as we set out for a day of crazy

exercises and activities at our organic farm Matri Kunj .

The workshop started in the bus itself – this was to be a day of receptivity and silent activities, only whenabsolutely essential for a few activities talking was permissible, and no mobiles either! Many were jotting down

what they saw on the way on the moving bus… the glaring hoardings, the bright red piles of tomatoes among drab

sacks of potatoes by the roadside, strings of golden ‘mausami ’ fruit and necklaces of roses and marigolds for the

gods, bullocks with brightly painted horns carting loads of sand outside a petrol pump...

We first went to the lake even as a light drizzle fell. It was a musical silence with only the waves and their lullaby,

we all stood there a long while and listened to the orchestra around us.



At Matrikunj, after some juice of secret spices and things nobody could recognise, they were taken for a round in

the verdant, silence-inducing surroundings.

When everyone reassembled on the ‘machaan’, they were greeted by a pile of colourful vegetables all set for the

activity of the day – Khichri tantra! Participants were given different tasks, for instance the one who found it

difficult to cry and flow at times had to chop the onions, the person who always had a sanitiser and would loathe to

get her hands dirty had to wash, peel and slice the mud laced potatoes… It was a first time affair for many –

community cooking of khichri on an earthen chuhla in the jungle with the rain doing its best to provide headybackground music! Moreover they were warned – they all had to eat this!

After each one’s task was done they were to pen the experience down. So, you had people staring teary eyed at a

plate of chopped onions and scraps of potato and carrot peels to decipher the secret messages. A unique creative

writing experience!

After a sumptuous lunch of the khichri they cooked, and some saviour pulao, chatni, cauliflower-potatoes, curd and

pickle, they were finally led to an activity when they could talk (phew!). Opaque little boxes full of different spices

were placed in front of them and they had to guess from the sound what was inside. Adding to the fun were some



fresh leaves of basil, cinnamon, lemon grass, coriander… placed in a plate and they had to identify them through

the smell. This exercise led to an amazing discussion and hilarious surprises!

The last part was a blindfold walk, wherein you were led (some were brave enough to go barefoot!) by a partner

blindfolded feeling the bushes, leaves, ground… whatever came their way! Then after some herbal tea, as dusk fell,

we headed home with ‘homework’. Briefly on the way back we paused to catch a glimpse of the thousand lotuses

that were blooming in the lake… A sight!

DAY 3

The first activity of the last day was to absorb a song/piece of music as an energy experience. The group was led

into a sensitive space wherein they could absorb the energy from a piece of music which they listened to while

blindfolded, this was followed by immediate, free-writing. Three very different pieces of music were played andtwo were live performances. The responses and the sharing that followed to this activity were a revelation to all of

us! An activity on touch followed this leading to lunch.

Post lunch the participants were divided into pairs and led into ‘soul gazing’ followed by giving form to the vision

they perceived by painting it on their partner!



The workshop moved to a close, but not without a surprise when a slide show of pictures of the three days was

played before them, refreshing their memories of the three days, so that they could fill up the

‘Reflection/feedback’ forms. Finally we broke the ‘gullak’ (an earthen pot in which they’d put down spontaneous

brief expressions on little slips of paper) as a ceremonial end to the journey. With hugs, gratitude, love, sharing and

final live performance by Andreas we all moved to a delightful conclusion… and a beginning who knows!

(For more photographs please follow link:

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Here are some of the things the participants shared in their ‘Reflection/feedback’:

The workshop was a feast of colour, music, fragrances, artistry and nature. As though put together by passionate

and skilled artisan for us to experience and touch dimensions hidden to us. With a gentle prod and loving

spaciousness allowing each participant to uncover and touch softer layers, at their own pace and understanding.

Ajay Kalra, Mumbai

Yesterday’s outdoor trip was an experience one would have perhaps only dreamt of. Luckily I lived a beautiful

dream. My senses were being exercised. Every cell was conscious and alert. The experience was a potpourri of

sensory dance.

Sharmila Das, Gurgaon

No holiday, however exotic it may be, can come even close to what I experienced these three days. I go back

humbled by each one of you, your dedication, sincerity, knowledge and the difference you all made to others’ lives

through your activities. Right from the time we started the session with silence, to this moment, every second has

been a wealth of experience. THANK YOU…

Parasakthi, Erode

The second day was a wonderful experience! I usually cook at home, but this is the first time I have done it using the

senses with awareness. The silent walk made me realize that there is a world beyond speech. This made me think

deeper, I had never done this before and it totally changed my way of thinking.

Gayathri, Erode

I didn’t come here with expectations of retuning a best -selling author. But this workshop has helped me to take a

few steps in that direction all the same! I came here to learn less about writing, more about myself. And learn I did!

Shubhra Dixit, Bangalore



What helped or touched me the most is the sessions of sound experiments. It’s very personal to me, so unable to

explain much, but sound is more significant because it is invisible, one cannot anticipate it, so as you listen to a new

tune, one just needs to be patient and then slowly be a part of it.

Shweta Deshpande, Pune

Like in an aeroplane, we were gradually taken from different backgrounds, ages, castes and creeds at the airport

(workshop centre!). From day one we learned to run on the airport take off area and then we started to fly in a

plane in safe hands for a journey! We reached the sky by the third day’s sessions and then we never wanted t o

come down…

Gurucharan S. Bajaj, Bhopal

I purposely did not try and check the schedule as I wanted every experience to be a surprise and let my senses soak

in. The sensory experience of seeing with closed eyes was one of the most enriching journeys which will help bring

about a change not only in myself but in others too… The positive energy of the group helped me bring out the best.

Manju, Pune

The entire journey has been an opening up. All the sessions had their unique features. Quality was the hallmark.

Spacing and timing was very mature. The delivery was professional and warm. The flow was easy and yet

empowering.

Kamala Venkataraman, Hyderabad

Joy, laughter, beauty, freedom, there have been lot of chains, which fell off… Mehfil was very valuable. It was

incredible to see how each question chose a person! The dance… to flow… t break open and just flow gave

enormous freedom… a feeling of lightness. Hearing the waves of the lake was very profound hearing. The bansuri,

you played was soul-stirring. Andreas’ singing and dance taught me silence, I was so silent that I could experience

in totality what he offered. Kichadi I ate, as if I had been hungry for year. Some people whom I have met here have

touched and left a deep imprint.

Chitra Rajendra, Coimbatore

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Senses and Sensitivity - workshop on sensory writing and self-awareness