Going 'Wild'

I recall a few weeks back I chanced upon this movie titled ‘Wild’ and watched it, mesmerized! There couldn’t have been a better way to unwind and also get my cerebral and cognitive compass re-calibrated!

 For the benefit of those who have not heard of this transformational journey of a young woman which has been very sensitively and beautifully captured in this film, here is the gist: -

"With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her". 

   Written by Spencer Higham

It is a true story, alright! Cinematography is awesome. Role portrayal is fabulous. But that somehow did not explain why I could connect with the character and the story so deeply. On reflection, it emerged that I found it to be such a wonderful watch because it so subtly demonstrated the power of experiencing ‘self’. It demonstrated that looking inwards could be cathartic and therapeutic. It showed how nature can so subtly, so innocuously facilitate self-discovery.  

While working with people, I often use the experiential learning format, which primarily is all about embarking on learning journeys to ‘discover self and others’. A ‘learning’ journey and not a ‘training’ session, a ‘journey’ of learning which begins even before we are born and would continue till we kick the bucket. It’s a process to ‘discover self’ which fundamentally questions the premise whether we know ourselves enough!

Being a co-traveler with some four thousand odd people on their learning journeys so far has been extremely humbling, to say the least.  Decoding the process to figure what makes it so powerful in exploring self and others would be tough. However, a few things that I have been able to capture which seem to make it work so powerfully could be as follows.

 These journeys, whenever undertaken in the midst of nature have been found to be extremely rewarding. Among various other reasons which come to the fore about nature’s ability to facilitate learning, the most powerful one, in my mind is that it treats us all as equal. The sun shines equally on a sinner and a saint, you see? That way, nature, so impassively affords us an opportunity to start our learning process with a clean slate at every step without the baggage or burden of the past. Compare it to how we are otherwise judged in our life at every juncture based on your past deeds or successes. Now if the paradigms were shifted, imagine where would such a poor reference lead one to, in terms of one’s chances of success in an uncertain, ambiguous future?

Being in the childlike state is another essential criterion. Children are natural learners-always curious, keen and open. Unless one is able to shed one’s inhibitions, such journeys of self-discovery could turn out to be an exercise in futility. Children like to be themselves…! Fun begins only when one is one-self and not an allusion of someone else!

Life is demanding, the external environment often ruthless in its expectations from each one of us, forcing us sometimes to take on roles other than who we truly are. Some of us may have worn our masks for so long that we may begin to mistake ourselves for them. Such inward journeys could help us see the difference between ‘being’ and ‘becoming’. It does get tough beyond a point to believe that some reversals are possible. But I have witnessed major breakthroughs when people have suspended judgment, even when their assumptions were challenged. One may suspend judgment and not get defensive when one feels ‘safe’. One feels safe when there exists an atmosphere of authenticity, mutual trust and empathy among co-travelers. A good shepherd will create a cocoon of safety for its flock for the unlearning to happen before learning begins.

Against prevailing wisdom, I, in my role as the facilitator have chosen to confront and have often encouraged others not to be afraid of legitimate conflict. I did this with considerable trepidation, assuming I would end up making life-long enemies. I have actually ended up making best of friends with those I confronted. I recall a rare quote on leadership, which I twist to suit my role as a facilitator and which could probably give cue to how and why it has probably worked for me - “A good leader (facilitator) is the one who can step on others’ toes and still leave a shine”.

 These journeys are never easy, but they are fun. These take considerable courage to embark upon. There will be numerous moments when one might question one’s wisdom to have got off on one, but in my limited experience, the benefits have invariably outweighed costs, be it physical, emotional or psychological ( eh, eh…, did I forget  the ‘financial’ ones?).

Those of you who, after reading this are planning to pull out your rucksacks, fish out the hunter’s knife and fire-kit to bootstrap yourself for such a journey, let me forewarn you that you could be completely ill-attired for the adventure. All that you need to bring along is a pinch of good humor, loads of openness, lots of good intent and belief in oneself and others. I assure you, fun can begin anytime anywhere! Right company will help….