#17 - Listeners' Circle Experience

Saw an insta post titled “H.O.P.E” a listeners' circle event. The expansion of it is "Healing, Optimism, Positivity & Empathy". These words are enough for me to book for this event & I went sharply at 06:30 PM. This event took place at “Treehouse” which has a very good vibe & ambience. The climate was also so good as it was slightly drizzling too. Only 3 people were there & the organiser enquired about how I got to know this & then she told us that we can wait for another 15 minutes as few other people were coming. I was a little bit anxious & was waiting there. As time went on roughly around 10 people had gathered there. The organiser told a few rules about the event that this was a non judgemental space & we have to respect people’s privacy & we can take away only the good stories from the people. And not to reveal any of the personal stories to others outside. So, I try to respect those & stick with that. This blog will be more of my observations, experiences & what I felt about this circle.

Yes, now we have officially started our introductions & a team of 4’s were split among us to interact within ourselves to find out the common things within us. We were interacting within ourselves for around 5-10 minutes & were finding out the common things among us. And, then a group of some 10-15 people entered the venue, they were full of vibe & they were like friends from the same office. Some were having some face paintings too. Then again now with around 20-25 people, a bigger circle was formed & we introduced ourselves again. Now, the organiser told us that to get to know each other more & make this fun & interesting, a fun game event was organised. It was called “ Big Wind Blows”. So, this game is like a question will be asked more of a “Yes” or “No”. If we answer “Yes” for that question, we have to stand up from our seat, we have to then switch to the other vacant seat & the twist here is one chair was removed. So, the last person who doesn't get the seat, should come to the center & should ask another question. Many questions were really interesting & few questions I remember are “Are you a coffee person” “Do you love Biryani” “I love Mumbai Indians team” “Have not been in a relationship yet?” “Like to hear music/white noise while sleeping” etc. Then this game went for another 20 minutes & so. It was really a good ice breaker & made my anxiety go away. It made me comfortable. 

Then, we started to discuss the questions asked previously in the game & discussed what was the present state of mind before & after playing the game. And someone told, they roamed around the whole day, were so tired but still enjoyed it a lot. Then, a topic of “What is the purpose of Life”. And few said they have found their purpose & few told they have not found theirs. This discussion went on for a few minutes & then I also shared my views on this discussion to the entire circle.

After that, the organizer told us to split into 2’s and share any story or anything that we need to share and this is a safe space to share it as no one is going to judge. And the main condition the organiser told is not to mingle with people you have already spoken with. I was sitting & thinking whom should I go & tell my stories. Then suddenly a girl came & asked. Then she said she resonated with what I shared about my view on purpose of life & from that we started to talk & I shared my stories with her. I was continuously talking & she was patiently listening to me. Then she said time was less, so I quickly completed my story & then she started to tell her story & I tried to listen non judgementally. I felt good by telling my stories & hearing from hers too. 

Then, the organiser called everyone & gave us a piece of paper to write out our dream/goal. Then we have to put that paper into a balloon. Then we have to break the balloon. It's like a ritual to let go of all the limiting beliefs or any other things that are stopping us from reaching that written goal. Then like fortune cookies, fortune chits of papers were given & for me it was written.

“Your future is as bright as your faith.”

Now, the last segment is a wishing ritual. We can wish anyone from the group & pass the water bottle to them & to drink it. It's like wishing them goodness. It was so good to see people wishing each other not only as mere words but genuinely. It was so heartwarming to see complete strangers resonating with each other. I saw some good friendly brotherhood & sisterhood moments too.  And, then we took group pictures & were talking for some time & a guy told me “ I could also resonate with what you have said, what I would say is, it will change man. It is a phase. So, all the best for your future man.”. I was seriously overwhelmed by that gesture. He doesn't have to say that to me but still he did. I am thankful for it. I went home with a bunch of some good wholesome feel-good experiences. Thank you everyone. And, thank you organizers for coming up with this idea & continuing to do so. Keep doing more such events. 

Peace ☮️

Senthil Rajan 😇