Background
TTL’s association with Earnest Tan since the 2007 workshop on The Inward Journey and the 2009 workshops on Growth and Wellness as well as Power & Empowerment led to Compassion Fatigue and another session of The Journey Inward in 2011. Taking stock of the changing times, TTL aims to encourage and consolidate attitudinal changes in a largely, though not exclusively, Catholic audience by combining imagination with innovation. TTL members who had attended the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila were exposed to Earnest’s modules on psycho – spiritual trainings, and were unanimous that Earnest’s uniquely personal presentations and facilitation style would fill a void in the theological training of the laity with a heart-sense approach, in step with the spirit of the times. Hence the academic/cognitive type of TTL workshops on theological themes have been interspersed with the psycho-spiritual components that Earnest brings to balance the affective side of the participants’ needs
Compassion Fatigue Workshop : A One-day Workshop by Earnest Tan held at La Salle Hall, PJ, 2nd August, 2011
The program:
TTL targeted this workshop mostly for caregivers but not exclusively to them. Some interested persons were grateful to attend and numbers exceeded the 25 originally intended to stand at 35! The idea of running this workshop was not merely to have caregivers attend but in the hope that a support group could materialise should the need be expressed by workshop participants. As indeed it was and the workshop was unreservedly a resounding YES!
Participant - comments:
"The whole content. presentation, process space has given me time for self reflection for which I am grateful.......thank you for organizing this at such an affordable rate"
"A good workshop - and a good one to organize again.
“Very practical, relevant and life-giving”
Earnest Tan is "a good speaker who understands and connects with me"
"This course has taught me how to take control of myself"
“I would really like it if we have a support group to connect wit
On ideas/concepts to identify stress factors and dealing with them:
Earnest took the participants through a naming process, describing what “compassion fatigue” means and its symptoms, as well as helping participants identify its common sources. He dealt with coping skills and self care, how vision distortions should be identified and removed in the process of self care in the journey to self fulfilment and the importance of setting boundaries in order to avoid the pitfalls of “secondary victimisation” that is often at the core of compassion fatigue
Participant - comments
Being enabled to " identify/name the factors that are causing my compassion fatigue."
Learning the need for "tough love, assertiveness, self care"
"Understanding the vision distortions and recognizing the freedom to be self-fulfilled"
Knowing about "setting boundaries"
“It is important to recognize our stress factors and to be empowered to handle our stress"
"I can change my internal shortcomings"
“The importance intimacy…of not wearing masks”
On understanding better those in your care:
Earnest then went on to show how meaningful connections are made with self, others and a higher power beyond. He explained what intimacy means and how fears obstruct growth and puts up our defences which further weakens us and prevents us from the ministry of caring for the other person by giving of ourselves in love and compassion.
Participant - comments
"Acting in love and not out of duty"
Knowing "the difference between sympathy and empathy"
"Being open-minded and always listening to the need of the person"
“Learning how not to impose personal values on others”
“Very informative and helpful in seeing the difference between me and my role.”
‘An eye-opener – to realise I am not alone in this struggle’
The Journey Inward Workshop : A Three-days Workshop by Earnest Tan held at the Bayu Beach Resort, Port Dickson, 5th-7th August, 2011
This workshop is a tribute to Earnest’s presentation skills and expertise. He navigated the 24 participants through our life journeys so skilfully - taking us from birth to the present moment in the span of 3 days - leaving me satisfied that I had got so much more than I had hoped for! It was filled with his personal stories and our own sharings in small and large groups that it made us feel like a shared community of people learning and growing together.
Day 1 - Earnest gave a brief introduction about the foundation of our psychological well-being, about a healthy ego with a strong spiritual sense that strives to pursue paths that truly define and fulfil our personhood by bringing our inner and outer life into congruence. He explained the 9 requisites for personal change and growth and ended the evening with an introduction to Day 2’s First step in the Stages of Growth Journey. This was the Hand Language tool where we were to choose one of our palms and define the various aspects of our personhood and family history on the fingers and wrist by means of a drawing, symbol or words.
Day 2 - After a simple opening ritual – which was a song “ Shine” from Earnest’s new CD release, we reflected on our Hand Language presentations and shared with the group what we had drawn and why. Next we moved into the 8 broad Stages of Life based on Erik Erikson’s concepts. After every stage was explained and illustrated with a personal narrative from Earnest and the needs and key persons relevant to each stage explained, there was a period of reflection with a partner/s to share our own stories and remembrances and a chance to share our feelings if we were so inclined. This process of reflection was quite intense but Earnest helped us to handle it without much strain. Concluding the evening we were told that to “go forward, we must go backward”, that reclaiming our inner child and our histories and reconciling with our past gives us healing and the ability to live harmoniously in the present. The basic lesson was that both growth and non-growth are choices/decisions we make. Earnest took us through the various stages of these choices and the consequences of these.
Day 3 –Earnest had a Christian prayer and our only Muslim participant was invited to say an Arabic prayer. After this brief opening, there was a list of suggested healing tips that came out of the discussion from the previous evening’s group work. These were related to forgiveness issues and the healing of memory and letting go. This was the launching pad for the next component – Journeying into my paralysis in life. This called for much deeper inner reflection than the previous day. We were asked to find a quiet place and engage in a dialogue with anybody or anything or any part of us that was paralysed for about an hour. Following this exercise, we got into potentially long-term support groups within which to make our sharings of what we had written. In this way we were to confront our paralysis and make growth/non-growth choices about them.
The post-lunch session was the highlight of the workshop as it synthesised all the learnings. The tools were our own reflections on our life experiences, the discernments that came along and the process of catharsis that led to healings to set us on the road to personal change. Earnest made a powerful comparison of personal change to the mystery of the paschal event and the resurrection. The idea of rebirth as a new person lies in the process of consciousness examined, requiring much self-discipline and continual effort, tools constantly learned, unlearned and relearned to face new challenges. Finally Earnest took us through the 4 phases of Values Development-Consciousness Tracking. The closing part of the Workshop was indeed very intense, reinforcing for me the Socratic saying that an unexamined life is indeed not worth living!
Evaluation forms were given and then the closing song Shine. Hugs and some tears ended the day and another series of hellos-goodbyes.
Participant- Comments
What appealed most?
The Hand Language Tool –
“made me reflect about important events in my life: self-discovery.”
“I had the opportunity to look at my history and assess the sources of joy, pain, strength …..and listen to others to increase my perspectives on life.”
The Values Development Consciousness Track –
“makes me aware that I can achieve harmony and peace as part of the wider universe– these are conscious choices I make for myself.”
The Group Sharing --
“The individual is given space to share and grow personally.”
“Sharing sessions help to enlighten each other.”
Identifying my Paralysis –
“Will now be using it in my daily living, a never - ending process.”
Stages of Life..
“very applicable.”
What helped most with your self- understanding?
“Identifying my paralysis, so I can name it and get to the root of the problem.”
“The 4 phases of values development and how it leads one to the other.”
“Hand language – a fun way … less intense way of finding oneself.”
“The requisites for personal growth and change”
“Sharing of self with others and hearing their stories”
The Dialogue tool is very powerful – it helped me to clarify issues more than journal-writing did. I chose to dialogue with my subconscious”
What was particularly challenging?
“Stages of Life – we could be at any stage depending on self-feelings.”
“Paralysis and process of healing”
“I am still very uncomfortable with the concept of sharing openly and deeply”
“The dialogue with God (or people) because I need to maybe reflect more into my inner self.”
“Consciousness-tracking - gauging where I am right now.”
“Forgiveness – it is so hard because the trauma is still inside of my soul.”
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Another 2 workshop-seminars with Earnest
Earnest L. Tan from the Philippines, designs and conducts workshop-
seminars geared towards personal growth and wellness. He writes books and produces materials that are innovative and inspirational in nature. He is a regular lecturer and resource person for the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Asian Social Institute, the Medical Education Unit of the University of the Philippines and Philippine General Hospital, and Miriam Graduate School.
Earnest brings his vast experience of training in the areas of Human Intimacy & Sexuality, The Process of Value Development, Effective Coping & Communication Skills, Effective Parenting, Relationship Enhancement and Empowerment. He has shared his expertise around the Philippines and in other countries such as Australia, Brunei, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Malaysia.
In recent years, he has been coming to Malaysia to conduct various seminars related to personal growth and wellness, enhancing relationships, understanding emotions and self awareness empowering self and others.
What some past participants said about previous Growth and Wellness seminars facilitated by Earnest:
About the Programme
The programme is a journey inward to understand one's personal dynamics and to facilitate the movement towards integration and wholeness. Workshop topics include:
• requisites for personal growth and change
• getting in touch with my personhood
• my family: the roots and wings of my personhood
• my paralysis in life
• my value system
• values discernment
The programme will end with helping you chart your personal consciousness track where you will have clarity as to where you are at present in your growth process, where you can move towards and how to move from here to there.
Who should attend
Persons interested in personal growth, self-improvement, ways of freeing the self.
Where
Bayu Beach Resort Pork Dickson
7km Jalan Pantai, Port Dickson
(Tel: 06-6473703)
When
Friday, August 5 - arrive at 9.30am for registration & refreshments
to Sunday, August 7 - depart at 4.00pm
How much
RM300.00 for board and lodging (on a twin sharing basis). Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the workshop to help defray other costs.
LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
II. COMPASSION FATIGUE (A Workshop for Caregivers)
About the Programme
The very nature of a caregiver's involvement can be demanding. As such, they are the primary candidates for compassion fatigue. This is a result of caring over time, sometimes without support or respite, and can lead to severe exhaustion and even spiritual vacuum.
This program will help you assess and become aware of compassion fatigue. This is in order for us to anticipate it before its effects hit us. It also explores the factors that often lead to compassion fatigue, whether it is coming from personal or organizational factors. It will teach a way to name the stresses that are experienced. It will also discuss some of the common issues related to caring.
When Tuesday, 2 August, 2011.
8.30 am: Registration and light refreshments
9.00 am – 4.00 pm: Workshop
4.00 pm: Afternoon tea and departure
Where
La Salle Hall
Jalan 5/15B, Off Jalan Chantek, Petaling Jaya
How much
Contribution of RM60.00 towards the cost of venue, meals & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the day to help defray other costs.
Who should attend
Persons engaged in the care of others, family members with a sick and/or elderly person at home, coordinators of the Sick and Elderly in the BECs and other interested persons.
LIMITED PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!
How to pay
Payment is by cash or cheque made payable to Chow Mei Mei, which can be banked into CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525. Kindly send registration form and payment details to Bernie at chowbernie@yahoo.com.
Who to ask
Bernie (012-2637912)
Angeline (03-7955 0845)
Closing Date: 25 July 2011
seminars geared towards personal growth and wellness. He writes books and produces materials that are innovative and inspirational in nature. He is a regular lecturer and resource person for the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Asian Social Institute, the Medical Education Unit of the University of the Philippines and Philippine General Hospital, and Miriam Graduate School.Earnest brings his vast experience of training in the areas of Human Intimacy & Sexuality, The Process of Value Development, Effective Coping & Communication Skills, Effective Parenting, Relationship Enhancement and Empowerment. He has shared his expertise around the Philippines and in other countries such as Australia, Brunei, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Malaysia.
In recent years, he has been coming to Malaysia to conduct various seminars related to personal growth and wellness, enhancing relationships, understanding emotions and self awareness empowering self and others.
What some past participants said about previous Growth and Wellness seminars facilitated by Earnest:
- Impressed by his gentle style, authenticity, openness, transparency. His personal stories gave credibility to what he communicated, with such spirit, humanity and conviction.
- The experience was life transforming!
- It has given me a road map to work on my own issues. Earnest's honest sharing of his personal stories was so inspiring and gave me much hope. Didn’t realise how my childhood impacted me so much. With the tools given, I can free myself from that which chokes me from growing.
- Understanding my family roots led to the discovery of my inner self. This enabled me to name the paralysis that prevents me from growing.
- The workshop opened my eyes to many deep issues within me and provided tools to help me. Helped me to understand myself better in a non-threatening and hopeful manner.
- It came at the right time in my life, allowing me to understand myself, my emotions and responses better. I came away believing that psychological development and enhancement is key to spiritual growth.
- The whole workshop... helped me understand that I was sabotaging my own life because of what I held onto.
- Learnt the tools for identifying and addressing my emotions, processing self and inner wellness... learning to be more reflective.
About the Programme
The programme is a journey inward to understand one's personal dynamics and to facilitate the movement towards integration and wholeness. Workshop topics include:
• requisites for personal growth and change
• getting in touch with my personhood
• my family: the roots and wings of my personhood
• my paralysis in life
• my value system
• values discernment
The programme will end with helping you chart your personal consciousness track where you will have clarity as to where you are at present in your growth process, where you can move towards and how to move from here to there.
Who should attend
Persons interested in personal growth, self-improvement, ways of freeing the self.
Where
Bayu Beach Resort Pork Dickson
7km Jalan Pantai, Port Dickson
(Tel: 06-6473703)
When
Friday, August 5 - arrive at 9.30am for registration & refreshments
to Sunday, August 7 - depart at 4.00pm
How much
RM300.00 for board and lodging (on a twin sharing basis). Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the workshop to help defray other costs.
LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
II. COMPASSION FATIGUE (A Workshop for Caregivers)
About the ProgrammeThe very nature of a caregiver's involvement can be demanding. As such, they are the primary candidates for compassion fatigue. This is a result of caring over time, sometimes without support or respite, and can lead to severe exhaustion and even spiritual vacuum.
This program will help you assess and become aware of compassion fatigue. This is in order for us to anticipate it before its effects hit us. It also explores the factors that often lead to compassion fatigue, whether it is coming from personal or organizational factors. It will teach a way to name the stresses that are experienced. It will also discuss some of the common issues related to caring.
When Tuesday, 2 August, 2011.
8.30 am: Registration and light refreshments
9.00 am – 4.00 pm: Workshop
4.00 pm: Afternoon tea and departure
Where
La Salle Hall
Jalan 5/15B, Off Jalan Chantek, Petaling Jaya
How much
Contribution of RM60.00 towards the cost of venue, meals & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the day to help defray other costs.
Who should attend
Persons engaged in the care of others, family members with a sick and/or elderly person at home, coordinators of the Sick and Elderly in the BECs and other interested persons.
LIMITED PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!
How to pay
Payment is by cash or cheque made payable to Chow Mei Mei, which can be banked into CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525. Kindly send registration form and payment details to Bernie at chowbernie@yahoo.com.
Who to ask
Bernie (012-2637912)
Angeline (03-7955 0845)
Closing Date: 25 July 2011
Power of Silence
(In that Silence, God will listen to us; there God will speak to our soul, and there we will hear God’s voice. -- Mother Theresa)
About the Programme
The process includes input as well as exercises to help you get in touch with yourself at a deeper level and to perceive the dynamics of your psyche and thus to experience the power of the Spirit in the inner sacred space.
The quality that everyone of us needs most urgently is silence. We simply must learn how to be silent and how to remain in silence. Once you enter that silence, once you open your heart to that unpredictable and incomparable experience, you will find that each of us can be the person we are called to be if we allow that silence to develop in our hearts. Make no mistake about it, the silence that each of us is summoned to enter is the eternal silence of God. This is the silence each of us can find in our own hearts. Discovering it will lead you to understand that silence is itself the medium of perfect communication. It is in silence that we communicate at depth and with the truth of wholeness. – John Main (Benedictine monk)
About the Facilitator
Fr Seb
astian Painadath, a Jesuit priest, is head of the Sameeksha Ashram in Kalady, South India. He is an internationally renowned Asian theologian who frequently lectures in Europe and Asia. He has facilitated in workshops organised by the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs-Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (OEIA-FABC) and the Johor-Melaka diocese. He combines the best of the Asian mystical traditions with Western philosophical traditions in his presentations.
What some past participants have to say:
• A balance of meditation & teaching (with discussion).• Well spaced out programme – not taxing.
• Feel refreshed, peaceful, rejuvenated…
• This retreat has given me new insights into spirituality.
• It has been a God-experience for me.
• A wonderful facilitator…. very authentic & sincere.
• He is a man of grace….
When
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
8.30 am: Registration & light refreshments
9.00 am – 3.30 pm: Workshop
3.30 pm: Afternoon tea & departure
Where
Luther House (next to Tun Hussein Eye Hospital)
6 Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya
How much
A contribution of RM60.00 is requested to cover the cost of venue, meals & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the day to help defray other costs.
How to pay
Payment is by cash or cheque made payable to Chow Mei Mei, which can be banked into CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525. Kindly send registration form and payment details to chowbernie@yahoo.com.
Who should attend
This meditation workshop is an introduction for Christians who wish to start on a spiritual journey but do not know how. For others already familiar with meditation, this workshop will also be a refreshing experience.
What to bring
Bring your Bible and a cushion if you wish to sit on the floor during the meditation.
Who to ask
Bernie (012-2637912)
Angeline (03-7955 0845)
Closing Date: 12 July 2011
LIMITED TO 25 PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!
About the Programme
The process includes input as well as exercises to help you get in touch with yourself at a deeper level and to perceive the dynamics of your psyche and thus to experience the power of the Spirit in the inner sacred space.
The quality that everyone of us needs most urgently is silence. We simply must learn how to be silent and how to remain in silence. Once you enter that silence, once you open your heart to that unpredictable and incomparable experience, you will find that each of us can be the person we are called to be if we allow that silence to develop in our hearts. Make no mistake about it, the silence that each of us is summoned to enter is the eternal silence of God. This is the silence each of us can find in our own hearts. Discovering it will lead you to understand that silence is itself the medium of perfect communication. It is in silence that we communicate at depth and with the truth of wholeness. – John Main (Benedictine monk)
About the Facilitator
Fr Seb
astian Painadath, a Jesuit priest, is head of the Sameeksha Ashram in Kalady, South India. He is an internationally renowned Asian theologian who frequently lectures in Europe and Asia. He has facilitated in workshops organised by the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs-Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (OEIA-FABC) and the Johor-Melaka diocese. He combines the best of the Asian mystical traditions with Western philosophical traditions in his presentations.What some past participants have to say:
• A balance of meditation & teaching (with discussion).• Well spaced out programme – not taxing.
• Feel refreshed, peaceful, rejuvenated…
• This retreat has given me new insights into spirituality.
• It has been a God-experience for me.
• A wonderful facilitator…. very authentic & sincere.
• He is a man of grace….
When
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
8.30 am: Registration & light refreshments
9.00 am – 3.30 pm: Workshop
3.30 pm: Afternoon tea & departure
Where
Luther House (next to Tun Hussein Eye Hospital)
6 Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya
How much
A contribution of RM60.00 is requested to cover the cost of venue, meals & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the day to help defray other costs.
How to pay
Payment is by cash or cheque made payable to Chow Mei Mei, which can be banked into CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525. Kindly send registration form and payment details to chowbernie@yahoo.com.
Who should attend
This meditation workshop is an introduction for Christians who wish to start on a spiritual journey but do not know how. For others already familiar with meditation, this workshop will also be a refreshing experience.
What to bring
Bring your Bible and a cushion if you wish to sit on the floor during the meditation.
Who to ask
Bernie (012-2637912)
Angeline (03-7955 0845)
Closing Date: 12 July 2011
LIMITED TO 25 PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)