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An In-Depth Look |
 The following is a description by Larry Kaplowitz (who has been teaching Naka-Ima since 1995), of his initial experience as a student, written shortly after he he first took Naka-Ima.The workshop was simple and deep. We focused on three basic things; recognizing and letting go of our attachments, being deeply honest with ourselves and each other, and choosing in each moment to act from our vision rather than from our "damage." Aside from a brief explanation of these concepts, the weekend contained almost no content or information, but consisted almost entirely of interaction, in various formats. In the mornings, we each had the opportunity to stand on a small platform in front of the room to share about ourselves and let ourselves be seen. During this time we were gently coached to notice and express whatever feelings, sensations, and ideas were coming up for us, and when we had a negative feeling, such as fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, discomfort, or pain, to find the attachment that was underlying the feeling. Once we identified and articulated the attachment (e.g., wanting control, wanting approval, wanting love...), we were asked to let go of it. We quickly discovered that letting go is a physical, visceral experienced that can't be faked. When a person let go, their posture straightened, their body opened, their tension evaporated, and they became luminous; everyone in the room could experience the release. We also discovered that when we let go we were thrust into the present, where our history, our patterns, and our limiting ideas no longer had a hold on us. In that moment we were free; all choices and ways of being were available. We learned that letting go is a choice made moment by moment, not an intellectual process, and that we always have the ability to let go, no matter how intense or adverse the circumstances. We saw how much energy we expended protecting and suppressing ourselves, and how much energy was released when we revealed ourselves. In the afternoons, seated in small groups, we encouraged each other to share the things we were afraid to reveal; our pain and fears, our vulnerability, our fragile hopes and dreams, our love and affection for each other, and our clarity, wisdom and vision. We expressed, frankly and directly, what we saw about each other. We delved into our pasts to discover the roots of our attachments and destructive behavior patterns. As attachments came up (which they did over and over again), we coached each other in letting go. We supported each other in moving into our emotions, surrendering and giving full expression to our anger, grief, pain, and joy. We kicked, we screamed, we laughed, we cried, coaxing each other, through each courageous act of honesty, into the present. I remember my great relief at discovering that all my "weaknesses"---the
ways that I protected and isolated myself, judged others, acted covertly, kept
myself small-my own dark and terrible secrets---were readily apparent to everyone,
and always had been. But in hearing them reflected back to me, and owning up
to them, their weight lifted. I could no longer use them to justify pushing
love away and withholding my own love. I could be vulnerable and affectionate.
I saw how, in a fundamental way, I was just like everyone else--that we all
share a common experience of humanity that transcends our differences. |