by Tenzin Dhadon Kanika (fellow)
There were around thirty participants in the Theatre of the Oppressed workshop. On the very first day I met Shreya and Heer. Later that evening they asked if I wanted to play UNO with them. Shreya had that special vibe of bringing people together and every night a bunch of us would join us to play. I also got connected with Pranali; she was one of a kind. She inspired us all through her solo cycling journey across Maharashtra and Cycle Chaak project she plans to build. This is the link to her documentary.
One fine night, we were playing cards as usual some started heading to their beds, until me Shilpa and Gaurav were left. And that’s when I had the most profound conversation and experienced something which I didn’t not even with my longtime friends.
Shilpa started the conversation by asking two questions- What would you do if money wasn’t involved? What would you be if you were an animal? Gaurav said he resembles the sensitivity trait of a dolphin. Shilpa said she would be a dog as she is very loyal in her relationships. For me it is a bird, not caged but soaring high in the limitless sky. There is risk in flying but there’s freedom. I asked what comes to your mind when you hear peace and name an instance when you felt it. Shilpa said she imagines herself sitting on a rock in a beach with her pet, her dog is running, and she is chasing it. I imagine an orchard with blooming trees, lawn so big green without any caution of insects or stones getting beneath our feet. The instance I felt peace was a morning before sunrise, I was deep breathing, the birds were chirping and there was the sound of silence and in that silence, I felt peace.
Next Shilpa asked, what would be the title of the book written on the current phase of life and why? For the first time, I spoke my heart out without feeling overwhelmed because opening up about my deepest feelings always meant breaking down in tears. But in that room, with two relative strangers, I felt an unconditional safe space. There was no judgement, but active listening and curiosity of listening to other person’s perspective. I noticed a shift in myself, I felt safe, I spoke openly and felt empowered and deeply enriched.
What fascinated me the most, how Shilpa was asking gentle, podcast like follow up questions. I was amazed how is she doing it so naturally. She asked me after our conversation, how did you feel? Did you feel nice? Would you do it more often or did you feel drained? She told me that as I will have more of this conversation, I’ll start realizing what I like, what I don’t, and it will help me understand my own patterns and who I am as an individual.
I realized I didn’t feel drained at all. For someone who used to feel overwhelmed or cry whenever I spoke about my feelings, and realizing that deep connection actually nourishes me was a huge lightbulb moment. This conversation inspired me to write and create videos on YouTube. I am grateful for the people and the conversation we had.