Journal notes: It's Saturday the 14th, and I could get really used to this....
I am awake early, once again. It's just beginning to get light as I trundle off in search of something that resembles coffee-- in this case, some freeze dried stuff, a paper cup, and a microwave. Momentarily, my new friend and hiking partner-- Barbara-- appears; we've decided to hike to the top of Walker Peak before breakfast. Walker Peak is the highest point around, and supposedly offers a 360-degree view of the area. It's another clear and cool morning-- perfect for hiking the couple of miles to the top.
The hike takes us through meadows in the valley, past Turtle Pond, through Bay forests (with a fair amount of poison oak!), up to high meadows. The last couple of hundred feet is a scramble up a somewhat steeper slope, until we're suddenly there, with a panoramic view all around. Off to the west, we see Tomales Bay; in the opposite direction, Walker Creek Ranch is just a group of small dots in the valley below.
The descent is a little more adventurous. It appears that not a lot of people make it all the way up here, and most of the markers and signs are either lying on the ground, or not there, at all. We take a "best guess" route that takes a couple of ridges further than we'd intended-- so we end up hiking "cross country" down a hillside on the neigboring ranch. By the time we arrive back at the dining hall, we have really earned our breakfast.... but it was a great morning!
On Saturday morning, Elaine Aron gives her "keynote address," under the heading "From Feeling One Down to Being an Equal: Healing HSPs so They Can Heal the World." The group has now grown to about 30 people, with the addition of some "Day Commuters" who have driven in from nearby communities.
Elaine strikes me as an excellent example of the "Actualized HSP:" a powerful presence-- yet also a soft spoken introvert with a very well defined sense of "taking care of her HSP-ness." She is with us only for this one morning session, and has not otherwise been participating at the Gathering.
Part of the presentation took the form of an interactive Q&A session, allowing people to get their specific HSP-related questions answered; for the remainder of the time, Elaine spoke about her current research, which will form the backbone of her next book project. Much was covered during the three hour session-- too much to reproduce here. However, there were a number of "key thoughts" that have an impact on HSP life, mental health and general well-being-- keep in mind that these were points I happened to find "significant":
There are many different "types" of HSPs, as well as different sensitivities-- and your "type" can be somewhat dependent on what type of upbringing you had.
Contrary to popular belief, most counselors and therapists are not HSPs, even though HSPs are often drawn to these professions.
Introverted HSPs face particular communication challenges, especially in extraverted work environments, and may need to "negotiate" (when possible) a work structure that allows them adequate time to process their thoughts and formulate an answer.
Society often perceives Sensitivity as a weakness-- which begs the question: "Which is stronger: a backhoe, or a computer?"
Our brains get "wired" in childhood, and our subsequent relationship interactions have to-- somehow-- "unwire" any damage done back then.
There are two main modes in which people function in social groups: "Ranking" (competition, "lead dog" posturing, seeking power) and "Linking" (relating, cooperation, "cuddling"). HSPs seem to be predisposed towards linking-- which was clearly felt during the entire Gathering.
People who have had troubled childhoods tend to view the world in terms of "ranking," and this affects their subsequent relationships.
Elaine went on to explain that it is extremely difficult to "unwire" something unhealthy that was "wired" into our brains during childhood. Hence we have a system of "conventional" mental health providers whose therapies are based on the fact that years of intensive psychotherapy may be needed to undo past hurts. Elaine's current research is focused on finding ways to understand and shorten the process, so HSPs can heal themselves-- and then can go on to help heal the world.
The Breakout Sessions: Saturday
Early afternoon: "Obstacles to the HSP Good Life" with Jacquelyn Strickland. This was a highly interactive Breakout Session, which started with the group identifying the many obstacles HSPs face. We continued with a series of "reframing exercises," using Albert Ellis' "ABC Model" from Rational Emotive Therapy. The general focus of the session was to give us some tools that might be helpful on our journeys to finding "The HSP Good Life."
Late afternoon: "The Healing Power of Nature" with Claudia L'Amoreaux. This Session was spread out over two days, and was based on Sarah Edwards' "The Healing Power of Nature." After reading a brief introductory paper from Sarah (who was unable to attend the Gathering) Claudia led the group through a series of "hands-on" exercises, designed to get HSPs back "in touch with nature." The second half of this session took place on Sunday morning-- and turned out to be one of my favorite aspects of the Gathering.
Although Saturday is a busy day, and I have to be careful not to go back into "overload mode," it is also a day to make more "connections" with the other HSPs at the Gathering. Conversations and interactions are "easy," now that we all seem to have grown used to the idea that we're in an HSP-safe enviroment. Around me, I sense friendships being made, and there is growing sense of "belonging," an experience many have never had before.
Saturday evening brings a nice change of pace, as musician and fellow HSP Nick Rodin-- also one of the Gathering participants-- gives a wonderful solo guitar concert, playing a mixture of classical and more modern music, along with a few of his own songs. It is a perfect way to wind down another long day.
At the end of the day, there is still much to be said-- normally quiet HSPs sit and talk in the common areas, doing their best to honor the request to keep the lodges "quiet
zones," but not really succeeding-- and not really wanting to say goodnight to our growing camraderie. Tomorrow, alas, is our last-- and shortest-- day.
