CESP Blog

We began the conversation with a quick movement exercise- essential in this stale learning environment where we are taught only to learn sitting in a seat! (or in an awesome community engagement course- thanks CCLC) We then went around in a circle explaining why we were present in the room, a bit about our faith background, and what we wanted to get out of the two hour session. These answers helped me sway the conversation toward a more open structure because of the diversity in reasons for being there. I think this was positive.

We then went in a circle with the question: what was our ah-ha moment and if/how it is connected to our spirituality. This question triggered very rich and interesting stories. From these stories, I felt it was important to merely open the space for people to comment on, or further question what was said. As we flowed more organically into discussion, it became obvious how crucial of a conversation we were engaging in and creating. We all needed it in some shape or form.

Although I was a bit concerned that it was not an equal sharing space (some people spoke more than others- and I know I was guilty of taking up a lot of space! Even as the facilitator) I feel that the dynamic was still a safe space for sharing. People really listened to each other and brought up related issues that kept the organically flow. There were stories told that are going to stay with me a long time. And they helped me remember why I do what I do in this world.

The last exercise was administered on a whim. I felt that people needed to touch each other in some sort of affirming way, but did not want to whip out a hand holding session. So! I was excited about testing a very special activity that is usually administered in a group of people who have known and worked with each other over a long period of time. It was not by chance that it worked so well even on a group that had only known each other for two hours. I believe that we each saw something new, exciting, and challenging in the others in the group and we allowed ourselves to be vulnerable in order for others to penetrate that information. Therefore, the exercise to show that, (physical and anonymous) was affirmative, healing, and successful. Thanks for going along with it!

Big lessons learned:
-people are not encouraged to openly discuss their spirituality- how it ties with their life, their past, their social justice work, their future.
-People are apprehensive about disclosing their affiliation because of this negative environment and culture
-There needs to be more consistent spaces like this on University Campuses. Disconnecting our brains, from our hearts, from our spirits is not helpful in our overall learning and understanding of ourselves, our communities, and the interconnected world the university is so eager for us to understand. And we need more safe spaces to discuss these topics, on or off the University Campus

I am overwhelmingly pleased with this RAP session- I feel that participants were able to walk away with new awareness and understanding. I was able to learn and grow as a facilitator. And the CESP was able to hold space for a new type of RAP session that proved helpful and effective.

This would be an exciting RAP session to develop and conduct again in the future.
(I would love help and feedback!!)

--Ilana Lerman

(Please post your reflections for this RAP session in the comments, don't forget to list which ABC's it is covering! And if you don't feel comfortable posting it publicly, shoot at email with the reflection to cesp@umn.edu and let us know if we can post it anonymously or if you would prefer we didn't)