SATVATOVE INSTITUTE COMMUNITY NEWS

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June 10th 2007 Volume 3, Issue 7

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THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE

By Annette

"I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way."

George Benson

My first staffing experience was really wonderful, assisting Marie as she facilitated a Foundational Seminar in Switzerland in the summer of 2006. I wanted to contribute more, and Marie and I had conversations about increasing my service to the Satvatove Mission. She mentioned the idea of teaching workshops to give people insight into what Satvatove seminars offer. At first I wasn't sure if I liked the idea. After some thought though, I became more and more excited. In September I began the Satvatove coach training and got the courage and confidence to teach my first workshop two months later. It was am amazing experience, for the participants and myself, and I decided to do more of this.

In May of this year I got the opportunity to teach two workshops to 9 year old children. I was apprehensive, thinking "Children might not be able to understand this." Happily I discovered that I was completely wrong! The children quickly grasped the skills and used them. We looked at roadblocks to effective listening, practised mirroring, and became aware of our body language and its effects. It was inspiring to see the youngsters sit together in the different processes, sharing with one another and really listening. It seemed so natural for them to reflect, as if they'd never done anything else. During the sharing I was moved by insights expressed by these 9 year olds- deep realisations about peace in the world, true friendship, and helping each other.

After practising listening skills, we addressed problem-solving. The children wrote down problems and conflicts they have in their lives, with friends, teachers, siblings, and parents. I was just about to introduce the WIN strategy, an approach for resolving conflict, when two boys broke out in a fight-a perfect arrangement, providing an immediate opportunity for practice! I asked the combatants if they were willing to try a new way of solving the conflict, instead of fighting and name-calling. They were, so I asked each one to share what happened (W), then express their feelings and thoughts (I), and finally state their needs and wants (N). Both shared their side of the conflict that way, in front of the group. We all sat there in amazement as the obvious nature of the misunderstanding became clear. After sharing, the boys were beaming at each other across the room. I asked the class to explain what had just happened. They seemed a bit annoyed with my question. "We solved a problem, of course!" I asked one of the boys how he feels now, after sharing in that way. "Well," he responded, "I feel somehow very warm here," as he put his hand on his chest.

Teaching these workshops to children, hearing their voices, seeing their natural capacity to comprehend and apply the skills, has profoundly impacted me. Looking at the world, full of misunderstandings and hostilities on practically every level, the situation can seem bleak and hopeless. Listening to these children gives me hope; hope that if we teach our children to truly listen, to solve conflicts in a non-violent manner, they will grow and influence society to be more understanding. It can start in a classroom, in our home, and it can grow from there, spreading into our communities and the world.

Here are some comments from the children to me after the workshop:

"I learned today that if I don't listen, life is very boring. By listening I can learn a lot about the big wide world."

"Listening means that I find new friends."

"When I listen to someone, I can help him and solve problems."

"Listening is good, because it helps people."

"I learned that some can listen, and some can't listen. I liked to learn about listening. It helped me and gave me a lot to think about."

"I learned that if I listen I can learn better, and that there won't be a war just because people can't listen well."

"I learned that if I help another child solve a problem I can learn something."

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Personal Coaching

To register for a personal coaching pachage with Satvatove Institute, visit http://www.satvatove.org/registration.php?reg=coaching.

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COACH TRAINING

The next semester of the Satvatove Coach Training begins on July 20th. For details about this program, contact DavidWolf@Satvatove.org

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OPEN FORUM

FORMER GRADUATES' MEETING

by Heidy Mueller

On the 12th of February I was surprised to receive a phone call with an invitation to attend the last evening of the Switzerland Satvatove Seminars

2007 in Walkringen.

The previous year I went through the seminars myself and improved my communication. Also, I learnt to know myself better and to be open and attentive towards my family and friends, to understand them better. I learnt how to set goals and achieve them.

I was pleased about the invitation and took the train to Walkringen, a small village near Berne. From the station I walked the 45 minutes up the hill to the rather old-fashioned holiday house which has a splendid view over green hills with patches of forests, with the impressive silver skyline of the well-known Swiss mountains in the background.

On arrival I was happy to meet David, Annette, Jens, Karin with her sweet little baby Nurea, Syama Sakhi, Lassika, Lionel and our "granddaddy"

Kamlesh. I felt their warm welcome. After a nourishing evening meal the participants of the seminar 2007 and the guests gathered in the seminar room. Each of us shared our experience of the seminar, the acquired confidence, the personal growth and possibilities for development. David pointed out that this was not the end of the seminar, but rather a beginning, a seed for continued transformation and self-empowerment. The seminar starts now!

When it was my turn to share I told the audience how happy I was to be in this room again where so many memories came back to me, that my life since my retirement has turned out to be much easier than I had thought and that I have found another activity which gives me joy and fulfilment. This invitation encourages me a lot to continue with my Post-Advanced Course Workbook. I will stick to it until the 108th day, to remove some grungies and move towards further personal transformation. The writing of this article is one of my stretches!

I would like to express my gratitude to David as well as his assistants for all their endeavours and the encouragement they give to the students to become better human beings. Kind regards and love to you who are reading this article now. Heidy Mueller, Aarau, Switzerland

This is a new section in the Satvatove Newsletter. It's a place where we'd like to publish your responses, questions and inspirations derived from articles published in previous newsletters. I'm looking forward to your contribution. Please send your letter to Annette@Satvatove.org.

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June 10th 2007 - Volume 3, Issue 7

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