After having two extremely relaxing days at Hotel Surya, we met together for a final debrief before leaving, just to assess where everyone was and what they were thinking. At this debrief, the question was asked of us - Who are you? Respond however you want.
Skeeno pointed out to us that so often when we are asked this, we respond with what our jobs and hobbies are, instead of actually answering the question put to us. Perhaps this is because at its core this question is terrifying, forcing us to question what drives us, what our passions are, and if (or how often) we cover up our fears and sorrows with shallow, blustery rhetoric.
Alongside this question, we read "I Want To Know", a deeply challenging poem asking us what we value in others and how honest we actually are with others, and with ourselves. In it, a stanza particularly stood out for me:
It doesn't interest me in who you know or how you came to be here
I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me
and not shrink back.
The difficult question for me to honestly ask myself is "Am I that man?". Am I someone who is able to stand with the people I value most when we collectively suffer from fear and adversity. Am I someone who is able to throw myself fully into experiences and interactions without worrying about my own self image. Am I someone who is able to recognise value in people even when our society belittles them for a lack of wealth, health or security.
Am I?
Alex
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