It feels good to be back in the beautiful natural surroundings of this place. I have met with organizer Jacquelyn Strickland, and we have worked on getting things ready for registration and the arrival of this year’s participants. 18 HSPs are expected for the full four-day event, a number that will grow to 26 on Saturday, as “day commuters” will arrive from surrounding communities in the Bay Area. This is the 5th Gathering to be held at Walker Creek Ranch; the 12th overall, since the very first group got together in 2001. Subsequently, there have been Gatherings in various parts of the US, as well as in British Columbia, Canada, and the UK.
A few others have arrived early, also to help out; they have gone to set up their tent. Yes, I said “tent.” Accommodations (depending on your budget and desires) at Walker Creek Ranch range from private rooms to camping on the grounds. I have a break at the moment, and have been wandering the grounds with my camera, trying to “take in” the place, before returning to man the check-in desk from 3:00-4:00. I've found that helping "gatherers" when they arrive is a nice way to get to know people.
I come to these events with good intentions. Intentions, that is, of writing and journaling, of keeping a written record of feelings, impressions, general moods and what happens. Alas, once my “tribe” shows up, I forget all about writing. Not only do I forget, I also realize (retrospectively) that I would much rather be spending time socializing, than being off by myself with a notebook, or in my room on the laptop computer.
Sounds odd, perhaps, an introverted HSP choosing “socializing” over “being in his room.” But it’s an accurate reflection of what often happens to people at Gatherings, and an example of the transformative power of these events.
One of the first I ever noticed about a group of HSPs is how soft spoken they are. Rasied voices are almost a rarity, which is not to say that an HSP can't get animated and enthusiastic. However, this quiet feels like a stark contrast to a world in which "shouting to be heard" so often is the norm.
Thursday June 14, late evening
People arrive throughout the afternoon. The atmosphere is very relaxed, low key. Although the HSP Gathering will be sharing the facilities with other groups, there is enough space to where we don't really notice the other people, except during meal times at the dining hall. The HSPs have their own lodges, and the sleeping areas are designated as "HSP Quiet Zones," meaning that there's always a place to retreat to when you want a nap, or just some quiet time.
During Thursday’s opening statements and introductions, I realize that whereas most first time attendees are primarily there to learn about the trait, most returning visitors are there for the company; for the fellowship. On the whole, though, people just want to experience what it is like, to be with other HSPs. Then I find myself contemplating an interesting puzzle. HSPs typically get easily overstimulated in groups; yet those very same HSPs not only choose to socialize with their peers, they actually seem energized by the process. Although the majority in attendance identify themselves as introverts, Jacquelyn points out that within a couple of days it will be all but impossible to tell the introverts from the extraverts in the group. Although people are skeptical, I know from past experience that she is right.
It is a fairly diverse group, this year, with people coming from nearby (the San Francisco Bay Area) to all over the USA, as well as Canada and even one person all the way from New Zealand. Initial responses to “a group of HSPs” range from mild apprehension to cautious acceptance. “Veteran” gatherers offer reassurances. Introductions are shared-- many speak of lives in which they have felt invalidated for being “too sensitive,” and have been viewed as “freaks” by their family, friends and co-workers.
Some express concerns that they will probably be “too weird and out there,” even for a group of HSPs; typically it takes no more than 24 hours before they discover that there really are people in the world just like them.
One of the core “rules” of an HSP Gathering is “We focus on needs, not approval.” This can be a somewhat puzzling concept to many, but the central implication is that (within the bounds of common courtesy) the HSPs at the Gathering are allowed to honor their own needs first. If you need to get up and get a glass of water, get up and get a glass of water. If you have a bad back and your chair is uncomfortable, get up and stretch. If you just can't seem to keep yourself interested and awake for the duration of a workshop, get up and quietly leave.
Each HSP Gathering I have been to seems to have its own “spirit.” Some Gatherings seem to be about “stillness;“ others involve lots of one-on-one connections; some are about “healing,” some are about "education." The spirit of the 2007 California Gathering seems to be “late night socializing.” On all three nights we are at Walker Creek Ranch, there is a group of HSPs in the visitor center, or around the campfire, talking, playing music, dancing, sharing… till the wee hours of the morning.
On Thursday night, we sit and talk till almost 1:00 am. On Friday, there is a campfire, and some stay around the fading embers till past 1:30. Saturday night is “creativity night,” but once the structured part of the evening is over, “DJ Neil” starts up his iPod and the music begins. As I watch and participate, I realize that I have witnessed people experience a life-changing event. Jacquelyn was right; there is really no telling who’s an introvert and who’s an extravert here. These are just people; and more that that-- they are people in a safe space that allows them to be their authentic selves, in a group, perhaps for the first time in their lives.
