What past participants have said:

Bless this state of grace!

I’m deeply touched at the end of these seven days. Life after this will be a new adventure. I feel like I just got off a ladder ten stories up the shaft of awareness. I am exhausted, but exhilarated.  This practice of compassion and compassionate listening is very humbling; I feel challenged in a way I’ve never felt before, with a strong sense of connectedness with every one of the participants after what we shared as a group and exchanged as individuals and by curious extension, I feel a new kind of connectedness with all beings around me. Wherever I go, I meet strangers whose lives appear tenderly fragile, whose faces hold the potential for injury or enlightenment. I release judgment, the inner quarrels, the treadmill of tiring mental acrobatics. To be present with heartfelt intent and show my light ˆ that’s what’s on now.

I felt seen and loved, held and cherished in that space.

Ah, to carry this forward regardless!

My thanks to Brian and Lisa and Eve for their devotion.

Alexa D.

…………..

….I continue to exist in a new state of lightness after the lifting of an

incredible weight in Berlin.

Lisa was my small group leader and I consider myself truly blessed. She created an amazing cocoon of safety for us with her gentleness and caring and sensitivity. She was extremely careful to keep everything focused on the speakers needs until the speaker was finished, not letting us get of course. At the same time she was clear at the beginning about time management so that everyone got their turn.

Phyllis S.

…………..

Dear Brian and Lisa:
While sipping my tea this morning, I came across a quote by Rachel Naomi Remen: “The way to freedom from fear often lies through an open heart.”  It made me think immediately of the Compassionate Journey in Berlin.

Before going on this delegation, I had viewed myself as being “narrow-minded” or “closed-minded” about Germany and Germans.  I found justification for this for most of my adult life; indeed, there is a large community that supports such views.  At a point when I recognized that this part of my life was totally out of sync with the rest of my values and my world view, I felt that my mind needed to be changed. The delegation to Germany was going to be that mind-opening vehicle for me.

Something else happened, however, on the evening of the 1st full day of the program: the ceremony of honoring our ancestors.  As we gathered together around the table -- Jews and non-Jews, Americans, Germans, British -- and laid down pictures of our ancestors, lit candles, and told stories, my heart began to open.  I felt connected to everyone in the room.  And so it continued throughout the week.  Each story, whether it came from someone in my pod, or an invited guest, or the Germans who joined us on the last weekend, or on a monument to those who perished, filled me with such compassion that at times I thought my heart could open no further.  But it had no bounds.  And the fears that I came with were gone.

So now I know that it was about being “closed-hearted” rather than “closed-minded”.  Or maybe they exist in tandem.  My childhood reactions to the Holocaust of fear and hate certainly closed down my heart and altered my capacity to love fully.  I still find it difficult to explain to people the profound impact the experience had on me; I know that it is one of the most important things I have done.  I am so grateful to you both for being such wonderful models of love and compassion and including me in your embrace in Berlin.

L’Shana Tova!  May both of you be inscribed in the Book of Life for the coming year and continue your marvelous work.
Love, Phyllis

…………..

Thank you, Brian and Lisa for the incredible life changing experience.

Linda W.

…………..

The Journey was one of the highlights of my life!  It's hard to describe

how complete and grounded I felt in my core by the end of the week.  I

love telling people about it.  I was able to share it more fully with a

Jewish man and his daughter on our bicycle/canal boat trip in Holland.

They had gone back to Berlin (I think it was Berlin) a few years ago to

participate in an official apology ceremony.  I look forward to telling

the Compassionate Listening practice group here in Eugene about it--I

know they'll be very interested.

Thank you again for making our wonderful week together possible.  I

hope you are satisfied with the results of your years of preparation.

Love and hugs,

Helen D.

…………..

Hello Listeners my old friends,

It's Audrey writing from my living room in Berlin.

I wanted to say THANK YOU to you all for bringing your precious light

to the group, and all that smooshy stuff.  I regret not being able to

be completely present on the last day and having to duck out suddenly.

 I hope the last lunch was glorious and that you all made it on your

ways safely (Kathy did you get your train reservation?)

In our short time together there were so many things that I was unable

to put into words to *each* and every one of you, so I often chose not

to even attempt.  But I wanted to let you know that if there was

anything you desired to hear of admiration for your courage, your

undeniable radiating beauty (hint hint Dick), and gratitude for the

intimacy that you shared, please imagine that I expressed it to you

because I saw it but was dumbfounded beyond words.  After taking a day

to re-assemble myself, I can confirm that I am a fuller and clearer

person through this journey, only possible through the humility and

quality of your spirit.

Deep appreciation to Eve, Lisa, and Brian for your hard work,

spaciousness, and for being the ones who brought us together.

Much love to my Pod-ners in Crimes

of senseless Peace and random generosity!

Audrey

If you are interested in this or other workshops, please call Brian or Lisa at:

360-697-2288 or
e-mail: info@BermanHealingArts.com

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