A 3-day training program was held from 15-17th March 2019 in the spiritual atmosphere of Vishwa Shanti Bhawan, Guwahati based centre of Brahmakumaris. The event was organized by the UK based Janki Foundation in association with Medical Wing of Brahmakumaris. "Values in Healthcare-a spiritual approach" or VIHASA is an experiential program for healthcare professionals, offering opportunities for personal and team development. Being one of the first such workshops in the region, the program was well received with 120 enthusiastic participants coming from diverse backgrounds which involved Doctors, Nurses, Administrators, Researchers, Professors, Teachers & IT professionals. The program covered broadly three themes:
Day 1: Positivity
Day 2 : Compassion
Day 3 : Peace
The experiential & participatory nature of the event allowed participants to share, reflect, co-create. It gave a safe space for participants to ask pertinent questions, hear perspectives from fellow participants & have conversations that matter.
The participants were divided into groups and the sessions were facilitated by VIHASA facilitators which included Dr Manoj Matnani from Pune, Dr Preeti Madaan, Prabha Sharma, BK Sunaina & BK Divya, all from Delhi coming from varied professional backgrounds.
Some of the notable highlights:
The participants were majority Youth with many of them first time to a spiritual retreat. Most of them found it easy to open up & share feelings, doing group activities with complete strangers & by the third day there was quite a level of bonding amongst the participants & the facilitators. The format of VIHASA allows for creativity & participants shared their expressions using poetry, doodles, dance & songs.
All seemed very happy and satisfied, for many this was a transforming experience. Hence, having learnt the art of facilitation, and realizing the need for such events in today's times, many of them wanted to organize these sessions at their organizations.
