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Overview

 

Witnessed Self-Reflection is a new, engaging way to connect with yourself and others. Inspired by Playback Theatre, this emergent expressive art form helps you share from your authentic self, listen deeply, and see your life experiences mirrored back to you.

 

Purpose

 

- Recognizing yourself in others
- Building trust within a community
- Creating a culture of cooperation
- Making meaningful art from the human experience

 

How It Works

 

One person at a time sits in front of the group and looks at their reflection in a mirror. From a place of honesty and self-compassion, they speak to what they see in themselves. After 1-2 minutes, a group of four or more participants stand up together and mindfully repeat words and phrases that stood out from the person’s share. This is not about giving advice or fixing anyone. It's about listening and reflecting. Different from gestalt or relational healing work where people chime in, there’s only one facilitator, and silence is maintained between each share and playback. This format provides the most safety possible and holds a container for rich and compelling performance art.

 

Discussion

 

This exercise is an act of loving kindness. By witnessing and honoring someone’s self- reflection, we help them understand their own experiences. For some, this gentle offering can summon quite a bit of nervousness. It's okay to feel fear and to protect your heart; both are essential to life – just as the heart expands and contracts, we must make room for both. This exercise embraces and celebrates what’s present without judgement. We are viewing the human experience as art, so there's no way to get it wrong. This work challenges societal norms by redefining how we show up in community.

 

Why this work is important

 

Engaging in creative and healing arts practices gives you an opportunity to explore and express your thoughts and feelings in a productive way. By looking in the mirror and sharing authentically, you can gain deeper insights into who you are and what you want. This clarity can guide you in making decisions and ultimately brings more compassion for yourself and others. Self-discovery enhances all of our relationships. When you understand yourself better, you can communicate more effectively and form deeper, more meaningful connections with others. Getting real with ourselves in a group setting promotes acceptance, openness and fosters a sense of belonging and unity.

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