We invite you to engage with this project by reflecting on your own senses! Below is a guide to help share your story and develop a personalized poem. We hope that through this process you would discover how your senses contribute to your understanding of suffering and resilience.  

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A trusted friend or in solitude                                                                                                                                       

We recommend that this project is conducted with a person you trust and feel comfortable sharing difficult and joyous experiences with. We hope that this processes brings you deeper into your friendship. Be kind and gracious towards one another as you listen intentionally. Take turns asking each other the following question guide below, ensure you have allocated enough time to engage in this process. The contents may uproot difficult experiences and thoughts, please ensure you have established a way to seek help and support when needed. Feel free to experience this process on your own, however we hope when you are ready your poem can be shared with someone. 

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Five Senses Questions                                                                                                                                                            

Find a comfortable place in your home or space. Take 10 deep breathes, inhaling and exhaling, grounding yourself in your environment. When you are ready begin to re-tell, through voice or writing, the below descriptions drawing from your past memories and experiences. Take your time, go at a pace that suits your mind and body. If what you are describing is uncomfortable or anxiety inducing return to deep breathing. Ensure you have a trusted friend you can call if you are needing greater support through this process. 

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Describe a time you felt stuck or hopeless

Describe something that tastes bitter   

Describe a sound that causes annoyance or frustration 

Describe what discomfort looks like

Describe a smell that you don’t like

Describe how sadness/desolation feels in your plane of extrasensory/physically intangible perceptions

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Describe the feeling of calm

Describe your favourite comfort food

Describe a sound that is soothing 

Describe a place that brings you serenity

Describe a smell that is pleasant

Describe how calmness/peace feels in your plane of extrasensory/physically intangible perceptions

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Poem Template                                                                                                                                                               

Once you have completed the previous section take time to read over what your wrote or remembered. Now is the time to summarize your experiences within the below poem template to capture the essence of your memory or narrative. We recommend documenting your poem through writing first. Follow the template below to create your own personalized poem. 

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I am sitting with the feeling of (1-2 sentence describing a time you felt stuck or hopeless)

I am sitting with the taste of (1-2 sentences describing something that tastes bitter)   

I am sitting with the sound of (1-2 sentences describing a sound that causes annoyance)

I am sitting with the sight of (1-2 sentences describing what discomfort looks like)

I am sitting with the smell of (1-2 sentences describing a smell that you dislike) 

I am sitting with extrasensory of (1-2 sentences describing how sadness feels in your plane of extrasensory/physically intangible perceptions) 

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But I am also sitting with the feeling of (1-2 sentence describing the feeling of calm) 

I am sitting with the taste of (1-2 sentence describing your favourite comfort food)

I am sitting with the sound of (1-2 sentence describing a sound that is soothing) 

I am sitting with the sight of (1-2 sentences describing a place that brings you peace)

I am sitting with the smell of (1-2 sentences describing a smell that is pleasant)

I am sitting with extrasensory of (1-2 sentences describing how serenity feels in your plane of extrasensory/physically intangible perceptions

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Share & Reflect                                                                                                                                                               

Once you have completed the template read it through to yourself. Make edits as needed. Then read it to a friend or someone you trust. Ask: What sense was difficult to describe? What sense was comforting? What was a common theme or difference between you and your partner? How can I implement my memories or experiences of resilience into challenging parts in my life? Continue to be a supportive space for yourself and your partner as reflections are shared. 

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We want to hear your story!                                                                                                                                          

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the "sitting with suffering" activity. We would love to hear your story and poem. Please send us your name, your experience and poem at: sitting.with.suffering.ipe@gmail.com If you have any questions or feedback let us know, this is a collaborative and evolving project, your contributions are valued. 

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