“This week created a space where I was able to unveil my story, which was buried deep inside me for many years… It gave me the courage to unwrap myself. I was able to share with men for the very first time… I wasn’t finding space to share this anywhere else, but here I was able to share and begin releasing myself from this pain.”
Female Participant
“For the first, any time in my life, I was asked these questions about my experience as a man. Thank you for creating the space for me and other men to share our feelings. As a man, we don’t have that much of safe space to share everything. But here, that space was very healing, and I felt very safe, and I shared my story. And I cried, after so long, I shared my story, and trusted everyone in the circle.”
Male Participant
This has been a beautiful year for GERI in India as we launched our second yearlong facilitator training program in Bangalore, with 18 promising new trainees. This new training has been several years in the making, as we conducted online and in-person programs throughout India in the past few years, spreading the work and identifying prospective trainees and facilitators.
Beginning with the first training module June 6 – 11, the trainees immersed themselves in the GERI process for a full six days of deep sharing and listening on issues of gender and sexuality. The deep sincerity of each person’s participation created a space where we could share openly and authentically on these sensitive issues. As one man shared in closing, “When I saw the overall training, I saw a new world. I got a spirit of courage to lift up our dignity, to celebrate us, to support each other. Thank you all for your endless love. . .”
The second module, held October 2 – 7, delved into the profound themes of spirituality and sexuality, inviting trainees to explore their personal stories and deepen their spiritual practices. This diverse group of 10 women and 8 men, spanning ages from early 20s to their 50s, embraced this journey wholeheartedly, sharing with sensitivity and authenticity as we navigated through the delicate and important topics of sexuality and intimacy – and our struggles, pain, grief, and deep aspirations on these sensitive issues. It’s a rare privilege to witness such open and honest dialogue within a mixed group, breaking barriers and stigma.
As one trainee beautifully expressed, “This experience was really new to me… the first place where I could speak about sexuality, and I could feel that it’s not wrong to speak… it all allowed me to express my emotions, which I felt was liberating.”
We’re enthused to continue into 2024 with this amazing cohort, as they immerse themselves more deeply into the training process, and to continue to expand the GERI work in India.
In February, Vijaya Lakshmi and Garrett Evans were also delighted to present at the first ever ShaktiKumbh conference in Rishikesh India.
This groundbreaking conference was subtitled, Regenerative Renaissance of Mother India and the revitalization of Bharata Shakti. Our session was invited by Nilima Bhat and focused on the application of the GERI methodology for Fostering Gender Equality in Religious and Spiritual Communities. Thank you to Vijaya Lakshmi and Garrett Evans for co-facilitating this unique introduction to the GERI work.
Deep gratitude to GERI India lead Ansar Anwar for his caring leadership throughout the year and to the dedicated training team, including Desireé English, Vijaya Lakshmi, and Garrett Evans.