National Foundation for Giving Voice

Giving Voice Residential 2003

SOME REPORTED EXPERIENCES

"Was able to practise my capacity/desire/willingness to honour myself, and take responsibility for my needs, THROUGH SONG, IN THE SINGING!"

"Beyond words" "It was all so significant"

"The cork's popped and the bubbles are a-comin'!"

"Complete absence of anxiety - a first!" "My lowlights became my highlights"

"There are changes moving around deep inside somewhere - can't explain at the moment"

"In a group of very different people with very different backgrounds to me, I could be myself without fear of disapproval … Found I could be much calmer than I thought …"

"Something 'negative' transmuted into something else"

I never knew I could use song to cure my sore throat - it disappeared through the singing!"

"I was reassured by Jill's support during emotional times of sadness"

"[Discovered] I don't need to stay with pain" "I've learnt to focus on the moment"

" It was such a joy and privilege … Thank you for supporting me …"

"I got my needs met, [rather than what I thought I needed]".

"By the end of one session, all my aches and pain and niggles had gone - I was inches taller - both sides of my body felt equal [ very unusual] and I felt good!! … I felt really open and up for almost anything!" [And she demonstrated it that night! - ed]

"Intense fear of a past situation was triggered & I used song to move through it ... I slept (impossible the previous night) and woke in the morning centred and grounded, with the deep excitement which the GV process brings"

Many reported experiencing being Loving towards themselves and/or others, Energised, Ease, Empowered, Belonging, Joyful, Peaceful, Connected, Self-nurturing, Acceptance and Wonder, for example; some of these experiences were constant; for some they were unusual.

WHAT PEOPLE SAID ABOUT GV

"It's about connecting within and with others"

"[I realised] how much people contribute by BEING, showing their process in front of the group, sharing … am beginning to understand how [the] facilitation enables this"
"Feel Jill is a pelican stabbing her own breast to feed her young (a joyful, funny, witty pelican)"

"[Discovered] more about GV process and how it fits within the practitioners' training - why/how one supports the other. [Learnt] lots about equality and appropriateness."
"I feel as though I've 'gone down a level'. I'm in touch with a deep joy and excitement re the whole GV process.

"GV centres and grounds me - a source of life … it's an integral part of my own process."

OTHER COMMENTS

"I was surprised at the support and high level of care"

"Loved the pristine quality of the buildings, and the food! And v much liked [Centre staff]. Feel humbled by Jill's powerful tenderness and tact, massive presence and humility, vulnerability, sensitivity, intelligence and in-your-face loving honesty. Strength. Me feeling the passion in her compassion (suffering, suffering with) (boundless/bounding joy). Stunned by Rachel [since starting the training]. Her maturity, perceptions, voice, initiative - the whole flippin' lot"

"To be within and contributing to such a positive, non-judgemental, accepting and loving atmosphere was a gift in itself … More will become apparent as I process the w/end - exciting! scary! fun!"

"Impossible to put into words what GV means to me … Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing yourself and living out your vision as you do …"

"I am using [GV] to help me with my problems …"