SENSES

This is a reflection activity that encourages a focus on individual perspectives.

TIME REQUIRED

75 minutes

RESOURCES

Nil.

ACTION

1. Ask the group to stand in two equal lines facing each other down the middle of the room. The Facilitator should nominate the first person in the line to their right and the last person in the line on their left to form a pair and sit down. Repeat until all participants are in pairs; if there is one person over ask if a pair will invite them to form a trio.
2. In pairs, the brief is to find somewhere else to be for the next 15 minutes and sit or stand together in silence; participants should spend the time focusing on their sensory experience. (15 minutes)
3. After 15 minutes of silence, the pairs should then in turn explain to each other about their experience: what they saw, felt, heard, thought, smelled. (15 minutes)
4. The whole group returns to the training room. The Facilitator invites someone to start by sharing what insights they had drawn from the ACTIVITY – no comments from others, this is an active listening phase. (1 – 2 minutes per person)
5. If necessary, the Facilitator may add some thoughts or ideas about the significance of patience, of silence, of being peaceful.

DISCUSSION

1. “How did you decide where to go and what to do?”
2. “How easy was it to do this task?”
3. “Did your partner’s description of their experience add to yours?

EVALUATION

“What will you take away from this task?”

ADAPTATIONS

How would the group use this ACTIVITY in the future and would they make changes? Capture, record, circulate.