SOULBATH PEACE FOUNDATION WORKSHOP
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BANYAN, Chennai
The Banyan is a Trust registered in 1993. Adaikalam (Tamil for ‘home’), is a reputed care and rehabilitation centre for over hundreds of women who call Adaikalam home, finding it a safe, comforting place where their wounds are healed.)
This is one of the most memorable experiences that volunteers from Soulbath Peace Foundation carry within themselves – Interaction with The Banyan family, Chennai on Nov 7th, 2009.
Amidst thunder and constant downpour of rain, flooding in the streets of Chennai, love also showered that knew no boundaries – It was a day memorable that even words cannot express.
We had 2 group interactions at The Banyan – firstly with the trainers connecting the root emotions to healing trauma and illness in the lives of the inmates and secondly with the inmates themselves. Trainers who attended the session were psychologists, MSW volunteers, occupational therapist and well wishers of The Banyan family.
We had 35 inmates interacting primarily in Tamil in the workshop. There were no boundaries of recognizing human needs – a humble acceptance from both ends is all that was the language. Using the medium of Art as Therapy, expressions that depicted fragmentations, inspirations and dreams were captured through the essence of colours. Fears of “I don’t know to draw” were broken away by “I now know” with a Hi 5 and a captivating smile from Usha, one of the inmates who also helped in the collaborative activity taking an initiative towards the end.
This is one of the most memorable experiences that volunteers from Soulbath Peace Foundation carry within themselves – Interaction with The Banyan family, Chennai on Nov 7th, 2009.
Amidst thunder and constant downpour of rain, flooding in the streets of Chennai, love also showered that knew no boundaries – It was a day memorable that even words cannot express.
We had 2 group interactions at The Banyan – firstly with the trainers connecting the root emotions to healing trauma and illness in the lives of the inmates and secondly with the inmates themselves. Trainers who attended the session were psychologists, MSW volunteers, occupational therapist and well wishers of The Banyan family.
We had 35 inmates interacting primarily in Tamil in the workshop. There were no boundaries of recognizing human needs – a humble acceptance from both ends is all that was the language. Using the medium of Art as Therapy, expressions that depicted fragmentations, inspirations and dreams were captured through the essence of colours. Fears of “I don’t know to draw” were broken away by “I now know” with a Hi 5 and a captivating smile from Usha, one of the inmates who also helped in the collaborative activity taking an initiative towards the end.
Soulbath Peace Foundation also helped in organizing an evening meal for the family of 260 at The Banyan that was sponsored by Ms. A. Amudhavalli (Professor and Head, Dept. of Information Science, University of Madras). Adyar Bakery, one of the finest bakers and confectioners in Chennai since 1952, helped us in organizing the menu and food for the inmates.
Loads of Smile
We went back carrying loads of smiles that were unconditional, that showed us another perspective of life – It was acceptance. Most of the inmates were extremely cooperative, friendly, some sad, some teary but they all had human tales to tell. Our participants had tales of experiences to share where they were lost in life till they found shelter, love and care at The Banyan. There was harmony, understanding and fun during our interaction.
In our lives today we are all carrying multitasking labels that make us play many different people with different roles. Our interaction from the lives of people at The Banyan helped us experience that when our perceptions in life become still – absolutely standstill – the doors to love and acceptance alone can make Existence flow back into our lives again to help us discover our true essence – the label of who we are as a soul.
"The spring will go, the fog will appear, and the green in the tree will not remain. But who can take away what 'Is'." - Sri Raj Bhowmik
The rains stopped, our lives returned to normal. But the power of the moment that we from Soulbath Peace Foundation experienced cannot be described and is what it “is” deep inside, etched in the history pages of our lives. We thank Sri Raj Bhowmik from the bottom of our hearts for making such wonderful opportunities like these available to experience in this lifetime!
In our lives today we are all carrying multitasking labels that make us play many different people with different roles. Our interaction from the lives of people at The Banyan helped us experience that when our perceptions in life become still – absolutely standstill – the doors to love and acceptance alone can make Existence flow back into our lives again to help us discover our true essence – the label of who we are as a soul.
"The spring will go, the fog will appear, and the green in the tree will not remain. But who can take away what 'Is'." - Sri Raj Bhowmik
The rains stopped, our lives returned to normal. But the power of the moment that we from Soulbath Peace Foundation experienced cannot be described and is what it “is” deep inside, etched in the history pages of our lives. We thank Sri Raj Bhowmik from the bottom of our hearts for making such wonderful opportunities like these available to experience in this lifetime!
SOULBATH PEACE FOUNDATION - Volunteer experience:
(In the picture - Ramaa and little Giri)
I learnt through the huge experience at The Banyan that at a deeper level one has to have a larger goal in mind and know what it feels like at the end. Sometimes our paths are blocked by obstacles, sometimes we are in unknown lands but at all times the key to every situation is always Spinning Inward – it is all about trusting and just going along following one’s dream. It does not matter what happens but as Raj Bhowmik mentions in his book 'CORPORitual', – the stage automatically gets created when we are ready to sing our soul song aloud.
My experience of even going to the event, interactions and arranging for it was like a Divine master piece plan where I just could only be the Master’s stroke – not knowing where it would be lead – but surely following and being the stroke would evolve Life’s finest painting – Love that is larger, purer, all encompassing - the whole of humanity.
Though I have done some social work before all that is nothing when compared to the work done at Banyan. What stuck me in the fist place there was the atmosphere and the friendliness of the people there. No masks there.... they were so genuine and I was so happy to be there that day. Here I was sitting and complaining about the things in my own life, that are nothing when compared to what these people are going through. When I came back after spending a couple of hours with these women I remember, I really could not find words to express what I was feeling at that time, my heart was heavy and at the same time light and Ifelt happy and sad at the same time. It stuck me that day that maybe all that these women want is a bit of affection and love and that is what they need not diamonds and gold a hug and a kiss makes a lot of difference. when I came back I was filled with a determination to do something for these women and I will always do my best to help them.
I am forever thankful to Sri Raj Bhowmik to give me this opportunity and experience which will last a lifetime.
My experience of even going to the event, interactions and arranging for it was like a Divine master piece plan where I just could only be the Master’s stroke – not knowing where it would be lead – but surely following and being the stroke would evolve Life’s finest painting – Love that is larger, purer, all encompassing - the whole of humanity.
Though I have done some social work before all that is nothing when compared to the work done at Banyan. What stuck me in the fist place there was the atmosphere and the friendliness of the people there. No masks there.... they were so genuine and I was so happy to be there that day. Here I was sitting and complaining about the things in my own life, that are nothing when compared to what these people are going through. When I came back after spending a couple of hours with these women I remember, I really could not find words to express what I was feeling at that time, my heart was heavy and at the same time light and Ifelt happy and sad at the same time. It stuck me that day that maybe all that these women want is a bit of affection and love and that is what they need not diamonds and gold a hug and a kiss makes a lot of difference. when I came back I was filled with a determination to do something for these women and I will always do my best to help them.
I am forever thankful to Sri Raj Bhowmik to give me this opportunity and experience which will last a lifetime.