The Path of the Four Elements
What is The Path of the Four Elements about ?
Participants should be able to connect individually to the four basic elements and to the emotions resulting from them.
The exercise can be implemented in several ways. However, it is important to take some conditions into account:
- participants should walk through each station alone
- before the trail, we can prepare the exercise by sitting in a circle, listening to soothing music, possibly supplemented with an art activity (painting, coloring, drawing)
- participants start individually on the path from the big circle and they return there
- while the individuals are at the station, the other members of the group can receive a short thought-provoking, inspiring text every few minutes in addition to the music
- when the individuals return to the group, we can ask them to write about their experience a short poem
The success of the exercise depends on the openness of the participants, so the trainer must strive to create this safe space for the group.
Building on previous knowledge, the self-knowledge of the participants can be deepened, they will be able to connect to the feeling of joy through thought-provoking exercises at the individual stations
Aniko Rezák-Kottes
Audience
Is participant experience relevant for The Path of the Four Elements ?
Physical Trust Needed
Mental Trust Needed
Requirements
preferably in nature, with some kind of a shelter: a building or a hut or a cosy place that is protected from rain.
Run Through
Before the trail, we can prepare the exercise by sitting in a circle, listening to soothing music, possibly supplemented with an art activity (painting, coloring, drawing) for tuning
How to facilitate - Do's & Don'ts
How to facilitate this
As a facilitator be aware that deep feelings can arise during this process so always be prepared to handle the participant’s emotions and states of mind.
Dos
- Make a safe place to share one’s feelings, deep thoughts and experiences.
- Use the artistic tools you usually use, vary the props as you feel appropriate
Don'ts
- It’s not necessary to share one’s experiences—don’t make it obligatory.
The Path of Four Elements facilitation materials
Introduction stage:
paper, colours, musical instruments and/or sound system (optional)
Earth:
small pots (one per participant plus an extra), seeds, soil/earth
Water:
big bowl or a tank filled with water, paper flowers, pens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuhdLonimdU Blooming paper flower
Fire:
Candles, matches or lighter, nice pieces of paper, pens, a glass of water for safety reasons, a small bowl to put the ash
Air:
paper windmill templates, pencils, pins, sticks/straw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZrP2vSqhQ4 Paper windmill
Closing:
paper, colours (pencils, crayons, paints)
How to make this method an empowering experience
This is an empowering method in itself.
ERASMUS +
Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union. Find more information about the program and its goals here: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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