Notes from the Road: Eisenhower Fellowship - Philadelphia and Washington DC

March 30^th until April 26^th 2013, Nearly 4 weeks have past since I have left Bangalore and embarked on this learning journey called the Eisenhower Fellowship Program. I believe my first week in Philadelphia was the best and most transformative so far in the trip. Meeting 22 very inspiring people from 21 different countries and listening to their stories or narratives (as Salvatore would put it) was absolutely awesome. We spoke, we shared, we let ourselves be authentic and vulnerable and in all that we bonded at a very deep level.

Discovering Benjamin Franklin was truly amazing as I learnt that there is no age to participate in nation building. To follow our purpose in life, to serve, to enhance the understanding of our world and to know that we are each capable of doing amazing, amazing things in our lifetime was just inspiring. 

The opening week in Philadelphia gave me hope for the world and inspite on my jetlag, I was driven by passion and inspiration. Then, we went our ways to explore, meet, learn from and with other Americans and in the process to reflect and discover ourselves once again.

As I hear stories from the past few weeks from other Fellows, I have realized, that we have indeed discovered ourselves in more ways than one.  In our anger, in our frustration, in our disturbing questions, in our wow moments, we have discovered more about ourselves than we have ever known. We are exhausted but come alive when we share our stories of insights and discoveries. Mine has been no different.

Washington DC was challenging. My jetlag was kicking in and I was finding it difficult to find my emotional and mental balance. I was finding It difficult to give it my all as I began my quest for answers.  The highlights were meeting with Vipin, Clara and Sachin and spending time with Jerry White. My meetings with Aspen Institute and Mala were insightful and validating. The visit to Anacostia reared its ugly head around racial discrimination and continuing questions of what will it take for us as human beings to learn to live together with respect for our differences.

I learnt,

Our work is actually quite awesome. We have an inspiring story. We have understood and articulated our problem well. The questions I stay with does our story match with the actual delivery of our services and their quality and the ground level. How do we connect with the facilitators more actively. How do we recognize and capture those moments when a child’s soul lights up with a life changing insight. How we make that happen session after session. A deep process of continuous reflection and mentoring of the facilitators is needed. More visits to the sessions. More time with the facilitators. More investment in continuous training. They are key to keep our quality alive and ensure that the story in my head is true to the story on the ground. 

The Space of Power Within

That exact moment when the noise of the world disappears and you connect to the soul of the world. That exact moment when one is immersed into the silence within and becomes an instrument of a larger purpose. That exact moment. In my life, I have had a few moments like that and that exact moment I had last week at the Opening Dinner of the Eisenhower Fellowship Program.

The stage had been set. I had spent a few days meeting, learning, sharing and interacting with some of the most inspiring people from across the world. I kept feeling the energy build up in me. Heightened sense of self-awareness and reflection were the order of the day.

On the evening of the Opening seminar, amongst other fellows, staff, trustees and sponsors of the program, I was given the honour to speak on behalf of all the fellows.

As I walked onto the stage, I wasn't sure what I would say. Preparations have never worked for me but unconsciously I believe, the message had started building within me. As I stood there, I went blank for the first few seconds. It was like meditation. I met the inner soul and we became one. Over the next 5 minutes, as I spoke, I knew it was not coming from my conscious being. It was a voice from deep within that came from the space of guts and feelings. As I completed my speech, I realized I was shaking and shivering. I was on the verge of tears that I held back. As I sat on the seat, the world came back into my consciousness and I heard applause, I heard compliments and a few people came over to hug me. I was still shaken and deep down I knew, what I said came from the space of my soul, from the oneness I experienced with the world. It was the most beautiful space. I realized I was shaking because I had just experienced something very profound. A place within me that is the storehouse of magic. A place within me that can help me achieve something extraordinary. A place where I spoke from a higher self to a higher self in the audience.

Over the next few days and even as I write this, I am still processing that experience and I am wondering if I have the power to go deep into that space of magic whenever I wish to. What was it about that experience that unlocked this magic for me. How can I surround myself with people or environments in which I can experience this deep space within, more often and more actively. Can I also use this power to create transformative experiences for others I come in contact with?

I do know now. It exists within. I believe it will require slowness, mindfulness and silence to unlock that space of transformation again. It will require shutting out the noise and listening to the soul of the world. The place of wisdom in our life. The place where we connect with the supreme being and become an instrument of its message.

I felt humbled and grateful. I felt I had received a gift of profound wisdom.