Last evening, some friends and I came together for Awakin SG in my living room (:

I first experienced the magic of Awakin Circles at Meghna’s place in Ahmedabad. As I traveled south after Ahmedabad, I also had the opportunity to pop by an Awakin Circle with the lovely folks in Mumbai. I remembered feeling a sense of ease and warmth even before I arrived, knowing that wherever Awakin Circles are held, I had “kin”. Deeply moved, I was toying with the idea of starting a circle when I returned to Singapore. Because I was staying with my family, I remembered sharing the idea with my mum to find out if that was something she’s comfortable with. At the same time, gently seeding the idea, testing waters if you may. She yielded, gently as well, without too much of struggle! (:

After a little deliberation, encouragement and inspiration from Min (who had some years back also held space during SG Wednesdays times!), invitations were sent out and preparation started! As the day drew near, I became a little nervous. That was when I realise how caught up I was with about how a circle should turn out to be like. How apt to receive an Awakin reading for the week that talks about energy! As I reflected on the article, I remember what a dear friend I met in Ahmedabad shared as we talked into the night after one of the circles at Meghna’s place - that each one of us brings something special into the group, should one of us be absent, everything would have turned out differently. Indeed, each one of these circles are precious because of the unique energetic profiles of each individual, and the gifts each one of us brings to bear (: As friends started arriving, I observed myself letting go of controlling, allowing trust to take over.

We had 10 in our circle last evening. Some of them knew each other, some didn’t. It was the first time some of us were meditating as well! As we went around the circle sharing about energy and the difficult people in our lives, some reflections yielded knowing looks - we all have at least that one person that doesn’t seem to quite sit well with us, to varying degrees. Recalling these moments of experiences with humour seems to ease that tension that we seem to have during those encounters. Coming to terms with how there isn’t rightness, wrongness, that these interactions governed by energies are always in a state of flow - something we have a hand in moving as well.

As the evening ended with a homemade meal, it was beautiful to sense a gradual softening as everyone started to become more comfortable in one another’s presence. 2 friends started wondering about how they can hold space for stillness in their own homes and in other capacities. Beautiful just sensing how wheels are being set in motion (: