DAY 32: Meet Your Desires and Frustrations and Help the Other Do the Same
by Griet Menschaert, Ninove, Belgium, 30 June 2017
“Strolling Through The Grass on The Other Side”
By following these steps, you will learn about your own desires and frustrations, and you get insights in how others deal with theirs. This is a recipe for Learning that anyone can apply at any time.
Griet Menschaert initiated meetings during an opening of her exhibition. Exchange and collaboration and all the stories that go with that have been crucial to Griet as the artist she is nowadays.
PURPOSE
To meet yourself through the other and help him or her do the same.
LOCATION
wherever people are passing by
DURATION
5 minutes to whole day
NEEDED
5 minutes sandglass
beverage coaster
table + 2 chairs
some copies of this recipe
1. Make sure there is a chair on each side of the table.
2. Sit down at one side.
3. Put the sandglass on the beverage coaster in the middle of the table.
4. Put the recipes in front of you on the table, backside up.
5. Calm down and observe your environment until you feel grounded.
6. Ask a passerby ‘Where do you come from?’ or ‘Where are you going?’ depending on what you feel fits best.
7. Turn the sandglass as you get a reaction.
8. Focus gently on the other: point at the chair in front of you while starting the conversation. Use your eyes to keep contact and guide the person to sit. Be all ears.
9. Ask more questions. For instance: ‘Where do you live?’ Have you always lived there?’ ‘Would you sometimes prefer to go back there?’ ‘Why?’ ‘Is there a place you would rather be?’ ‘Would you like to be away?’ ‘Do you like to travel?’ Answers might be literal as well as metaphorical. All answers are fine. Follow the answers you get into the direction they guide you. All questions are fine. Don’t be afraid to answer questions posed. All dynamics are fine.
10. When the end of the 5 minutes is approaching you turn a recipe and hand it to the other.
11. You say: ‘Thank you for this conversation. You are welcome to take my place.’
12. Whichever reaction you get, no judgement. Take it as it is.
13. Give your guest a moment to think it through.
14. Once the sandglass is empty on top, thank your conversation partner. If the person wants to stay on your place, leave him or her the sandglass, the beverage coaster and the recipes. Say goodbye. If you are left, take a moment to feel the ground, breathe in and out. Start again from step 4. End your day by taking the sandglass, the beverage coaster (and the recipes) of the table.
15. Go somewhere.
