As I contemplated the theme “Nourishing Community: Body, Mind, and Spirit”, I had trouble bringing to mind any particular nourishing community experiences I have had, as I tend to be more of an independent loner than a community person. Then my mind went back to an encounter group I had been in. Encounter groups were the fad in the early 70s, and basically we sat around and talked about our feelings. I joined one because I could get credit for participation in it as a college sociology course.
As in most groups, there were some members who talked and talked. After several sessions, I requested a meeting with the facilitator. I told him I was afraid that since I was quiet in the group, he probably thought I didn’t care and that I didn’t take it seriously. I told him I was all into it, but just not comfortable speaking up and sharing, as some others were. He was very supportive, but told me that the rules of the group did not allow us to speak to others individually about things such as these feelings. These things were to be shared with the group.
At our next session, I told the group I was afraid they must think I didn’t care, and I explained that was not the case at all. After this, members of the group were so kind and supportive and often checked in with me to see how I was doing with my feelings. At the time, I was pregnant, and when the group did our guided imagery, and went for imaginary journeys together in our minds, someone would often check in with me to make sure I was doing okay on our treks. After having opened up to them, they nourished my mind and spirit.
I began thinking of more recent nourishing community experiences. I thought of more modern day groups that somewhat parallel encounter groups. In recent years I have participated in breath-work workshops, Reiki experiences, and mediation groups. In all instances, the leaders told us that we must feel safe before we could fully benefit from the experiences, and they stressed that we were in a safe environment.
After the death of my husband, I felt vulnerable. Though I was certainly never in any danger whatsoever, I sometimes struggled to really feel safe. During a sharing time after a meditation, when I shared these feelings, others were so accepting and glad I had shared, and shared their own feelings. This helped us nourish each others’ minds and spirits. I guess my take-away from these community experiences is that once I accept my vulnerability and share my feelings, there are usually people there who are ready and able to nourish me, and who then are also ready to accept nourishment I can offer.
Thank you, God, for safe spaces where we can be vulnerable and honest. Amen.
–Mary Thompson