Live all your potential
the brightness of self-esteem
 By: BK Youth Group For: Young Adults (18-35 years old) |
When: On 24th January 2010, Sunday
Where: Lisbon
It was a big challenge to present this workshop with so many young people on front of us (58 attended) because it was the 2nd workshop organized by the bk youth group and this time by our own (of course with many blessings from our seniors).
The event started with an ice-breaker: 4 groups, each group with a different theme (forest, fruit basket, flower garden, vegetable garden); within each group each person should said his/her name and in case of being a tree/fruit/flower/vegetable what he/she would like to be (e.g. I am Mary and if I was a vegetable I would like to be a pumpkin). At the end, one of them shared with all the participants the composition of the forest, garden, etc.
There were different moments of playing and relaxation, including self-expression activities, and donation of powers and virtues to the world – this was a very magic moment with total silence, deeply felt by everyone; and also moments of introversion – and self- knowledge – 7 steps to develop and strengthen self-esteem.
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| Almost everyone of us has been taught to base and build our self esteem on the wrong foundations: external foundations, such as position, possessions or on the recognition given by others - instead of internal); this is why we very seldom meet people who have rock solid self esteem. We have to find our truth inner strength and be aware of the signs and opportunities that life brings us so we can meet with our own self. “Being true friend of the self, you cannot have enemies.”div> |
After that, we invite Mara bhen (national co-ordinator) to give some guidelines about the raja yoga meditation and she concluded it with a practical exercise were we could all experience it.
The event finished with a great moment of sharing and feasts, while enjoying a wonderful vegetarian lunch that everyone appreciated.
Everyone was willing to return, and definitely we’ll keep going!
Some of them already knew the BK and inspire others to do the Raja Yoga introductory course. Others shared that “this moment is like a dream from which I don’t want to get out” .
At the end, we gave them toli, blessing and a gift (a pen and a flyer with the 7 steps for self-esteem). They left completely fulfilled and with a special light in their eyes.
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When: On 08th May 2010, Saturday
Where: Funchal (Madeira island)
On the 8th of May, the youth group of Portugal presented the 2nd edition of the workshop: “Live all your potential – the brightness of self-esteem” in the Youth Centre of Funchal – Madeira island.
We had 5 participants, between 19 and 35 years old, very special and enthusiastic who were very happy at the end.
The co-ordinator of the Funchal centre – Maria de Jesus, did the presentation of the Brahma Kumaris in the beginning of this event and conducted a final meditation, after an introduction to our meditation practice.
For us the experience was very good, the group was small so we were very at ease. We kept the same programme as we did in Lisbon (1st edition), just with a few changes… Like the previous workshop the moment for donating virtues to the world was very powerful - “world-ball” (this time a balloon with the planet drew by hand!).
The feed-back from the participants was very positive.
We had 5 participants, between 19 and 35 years old, very special and enthusiastic who were very happy at the end.
The co-ordinator of the Funchal centre – Maria de Jesus, did the presentation of the Brahma Kumaris in the beginning of this event and conducted a final meditation, after an introduction to our meditation practice.
For us the experience was very good, the group was small so we were very at ease. We kept the same programme as we did in Lisbon (1st edition), just with a few changes… Like the previous workshop the moment for donating virtues to the world was very powerful - “world-ball” (this time a balloon with the planet drew by hand!).
The feed-back from the participants was very positive.
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The aim of our group is to travel through Brahma Kumaris’s centres in Portugal and present this or others workshops, like a tour. This was just the first centre to welcome us.
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When: On 4th September 2010, Saturday
Where: Covilhã
This was the 3rd edition of the self-esteem workshop taking place along the Portuguese territory by the BK Youth Group and it was attended by 17 young adults. The participants were all very expectant and for the majority of them this was the first contact with the Brahma Kumaris. A new BK center openned recently in Covilhã, so for them it was a good chance to know the organization. After welcome, the youths were invited to a ice-break that allow them the oportunity to present them selves and relax. A presentation on the topic of self-esteem took them through a walk of 7 steps to develop it. Practical examples and reflections allowed each one to feel and understand what is behind their low self-esteem and what they can do to change it. The workshop followed with practical activities that included concentration exercises, expression of their inner beauty and a powerful moment of donation to the entire world. Meditation was conducted afterwards and deep peace was experienced. The workshop ended with sharing, toli, blessing and alots of smilling faces and shinning eyes.
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When: On 16th October 2010, Saturday
Twenty-one young adults attended the call for the 4th edition of the self-esteem workshop. All the seats available were occupied and the room at the Faro center was full of jovial energy. For the majority of the participants this was the first (and we hope not the last) experience with the Brahma Kumaris. The organization was presented, the participants were welcomed and invited for an ice-break where they present themselves and share what they would like to be if they were a flower/vegetable (e.g. I am Susana and if I was a vegetable I would like to be a pumpkin). A beautiful bouquet and a vegetable basket was formed at the end. Following we showed a presentation on the topic of self-esteem, based on the courses presented on the Mike George website (http://www.relax7.com/) that gave them some insights of how to develop their self-esteem. Practical examples and reflections allowed each one to discover what they need to do in order to increase their self-esteem. In a different room, some practical exercises allow them to relax and their body energy to circulate: finger concentration exercises, and body expression of virtues like happiness, generosity, serenity, among others. This moment was concluded in silence through a powerful donation of spiritual values to the planet. Afterwards meditation was conducted by a senior who guide them through an inner journey where they were able to experience the treasures hidden inside. All receive toli and blessing, a flyer on self-esteem and a gift to enlighten their journey. Some of them share the experience and the most difficult thing for us was to make them live the room specially when they were all so comforted. For us, it was one more great experience, magical moments that we are lucky to share - thanks to all that made this moment possible!
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You are the Hero
When: On 27th July 2010, Sunday
By: BK Youth Group
For: Young Adults (18-35 years old)
Where: Lisbon
Where: Lisbon
Six participants attended the workshop that took them through a journey to find the hero hidden within. The youths assisted to a presentation that included some hero movie traillers (Batman, Harry Potter, Matrix, Star War) describing the different phases of a hero life. Some practical activities in the garden gave them the experience of how they can be the heroes in their daily life: giving and sharing spiritual specialities and powers for a peaceful, united and better world. Still in the garden, the youths learned about eternal truths of the self and how meditation can improve their lives. The event ended in a beautiful sharing in the garden while enjoying a delicious, vegetarian meal - the rest of the hero! At the end, all participants were very pleased.
