Play report from Inner Revolution Winter Gathering

 Play report from Inner Revolution Winter Gathering

It was after lunch. In the morning quiet things had happened. Spiritual things. Warm in the barn kind of things. The view from the barn’s big windows looked out onto a path, trees, an area of grass. In order to access the toilets we had to walk past these big floor to ceiling windows. Some of the more unsuspecting spiritual folk may have had a clue as to what was to come as I silly walked and spun my way to the toilet a number of times. Benjii’s bladder is a more robust constitution than mine so the full Way of Play silliness was not yet apparent.

It was after lunch and Benjii led the way to the area of grass. To the field of play. The Way of Play cognoscenti, those of us who had just finished the Playful Pathway, the experienced in the Way of Benjii, and the innately curious followed in eager anticipation. Others innocently looked through the windows of the nice warm barn and wondered wtf.

We began by holding hands in a circle. Doing the hokey cokey. On the grass. In the rain. Silly improv games and much laughter followed. The barn dwellers started to emerge to join what was very obviously fun. Fun for the sake of fun. Who knew there might be such a thing? For grown-ups? 

For the next hour we laughed, we played, we play fought, we connected and we were just plain joyful. As we trooped back into the barn, bellies aching with the laughing, slightly muddy and a tad wet, our hearts were lighter though our clothes may have been a bit heavier. 

I left the field of play feeling energised and connected. Physically connected through touch and contact. Emotionally connected by sharing laughter and joy. Some of these people I had never met before, and in the barn we sat separately, although joined through a shared space and experience. When we played we connected and learned something about each other. We smiled together, used our imaginations together, shed inhibitions. 

I wonder if through our playful session people might have learned something about me? In the barn I was just the old woman with the eccentric trousers, unruly hair and enthusiastic bladder. I sat quietly and behaved myself. On the field of play I was the woman who danced and sang and shouted and played with joy. Who wasn’t afraid or embarrassed. I know this is me. Generally it’s a well-kept secret between me and my grandson. The Way of Play allows us all to play like children, no grandchildren needed! Where else can we play like this?

I hope as we settled we all thought that it was fun and rather glorious. That playing is good for the soul. That we must play again soon. But some may have wondered what the meaning of all this play was compared to these deep and spiritual journeys? I would say that playfulness and curiosity are the essence of a joyful spirit and soul. 

Place a large grin on your face and just see how your soul feels.