Four and a half years have passed since I visited ONE.
I was at a point where I was wandering through life searching, many things felt stuck, I was looking for a way out of inhibiting patterns of belief and behavior that kept preventing me from finding good alignment, inner peace, being able to accept myself, to feel belonging and connected, to show up and come into my power. I had nothing less to gain than trust in myself, in the world and in life. I wanted to live, but I lacked direction about how life can succeed well, what my place is in this world, what tasks I have to fulfill, who I am. Much of my life was characterized by struggle and withdrawal, fears, self-consciousness, although it had long been safe and time to let go. Lightness, aliveness, self-care, -respect and -effectiveness, devotion, communication - all these were words that were difficult for me to fill with life, because I lacked the experience to put them into practice. My life felt like a pale template of what is possible, with stuck wings trapped in a far too narrow cocoon, more observer than shaper of a life that seemed to pass me by. I knew there was so much more to discover, to shape. And with the insatiable longing to taste more of the nectar of life and to be a part of it, I embarked on this venture.
Looking back, it sometimes seems to me as if my ONE was ages ago. It opened doors for me to open up to life and the world again. The 9 days were for me like a view through a burning glass, which shows how life, the world, also I can be, if one entrusts oneself to the processes, from which new things can grow and the I is carried by the self, the community, the greater whole. And it goes on - again and again new crevices open, from which the ray of life shines through. Through all the different experiences I made in my life since then - through accompanying seminars in the ONE context, team participation, support of important ONE companions and the daily walk through my life. Many small steps that result from this in the aftermath and deeply connecting, supportive things that grow, accompany and carry me. At the same time, it is so present and seems to me as if it were yesterday. That feels good, because it remains in my heart - as a guide and anchor, even when the winds of life blow harder.
What it takes for me to be able to entrust myself, to be able to open up, are for me tangible essential pillars in the work of ONE.
For me, ONE is characterized by its holistic view, which focuses on the individual as well as the collective and the larger whole, framed by a spiritual reference, which, however, does not appear detached, "unworldly" and fed by experiences, which are transferable in their contents or effects to everyday life. It directs the view to the human being as a being embedded in the community and the greater whole. In my view, this is very successful and true to life, since on the one hand it invites humility and modesty and at the same time, by addressing the self as part of the whole and thus showing the connectedness and co-responsibility as a formative being, it does not relieve us of our own responsibility for ourselves and society. Freedom and personal growth are not understood from an egocentric perspective in which mere self-development and a hedonistic life are placed in the center, as is unfortunately the case in some self-development seminars, but are always embedded in a larger context and the responsibility that goes with it is also considered.
The two-way view of the resources of the individual and the community was also helpful to me. It increases my sense of self-efficacy and lets me experience firsthand being able to breathe a sigh of relief and increasingly detach myself from the deep-seated feeling of having to do everything on my own.
Supportive for me was also the mixture of theoretical background and practical experience, which addresses all levels of being (body, mind and soul) - from my point of view essential to pave the space for deep experiences and encounters with oneself and others.
The ONE does not promise quick successes, but gives an honest inventory of what is possible; that it can first be the start of a path, an initial igniter to set various anchors, but the actual journey and work with what has been experienced can only begin afterwards, in order to be able to consolidate it sustainably. It does not thrive on the concept of a fast, sweeping, forced walk, but always emphasizes the importance of small, steady steps. As difficult as it is for me at times to endure this, to admit this to myself, it is at the same time important for me to know this as a framework, because it frees me from unnecessary pressure. I am not a friend of "loud", exuberant, fast acts, where the reverberation can quickly get lost, but rather like the quiet, powerful presence that lies hidden in the depth of the long matured.
Many participants name how decisively ONE shaped their lives. For me, it feels like a rebirth. Into a life that is much more colorful in its facets, although also significantly more challenging. At the same time I know that with every pain and every hurdle I run a little more into the arms of life. With all that it holds in store. I don't want to miss that anymore.
Sustainability as a central pillar of ONE is of inconceivable value to me. In addition to the long-term view of personal development, the social level is always addressed, as far as the framework allows.
The ONE can have a lasting effect on many things. If one wants to, the possibilities are there to continue the way together and to be carried by the resource We. For example, a few weeks after the ONE on the following weekend, in which experiences are reflected and further consolidated, or in the smaller, but for me no less intensive seminars, which are dedicated to various life topics. There is a protected digital member area for the exchange of former participants and always the support of Markus and other experienced people from the team, if you need it.
What also makes ONE valuable for me is the lively-moving and at the same time sustainable concept. It opens itself up to developments where adjustments are needed, and at the same time always remains true to itself in its foundations and values. A reliability and stability that gives me the necessary security and orientation to be able to get involved.
People are the focus of our work, not financial gain. This is perceptible. Not only through the good price-performance ratio, which basically cannot be upgraded with money, but also through the tireless commitment of all the people who dedicate themselves to the work, sometimes over decades. It lives from the commitment and lifeblood of many who form a supporting framework. This longevity and commitment, far removed from financial profit maximization in these sometimes fast-moving times when reliable anchors are hard to find, are indescribably precious to me.
The ONE is carried by a large team, which acts supportively in the background without being obtrusive. Thus it is both space-giving and -opening at the same time, which is of great value in order to give the work a protected framework.
For me it was important to have an experienced therapist at my side in Markus, with whom I could deepen the path through conversation sessions until today. His broad view has often been a great help to me when the focus for the whole was a little "lost".
I appreciate Markus very much, as a person in his attitude and presence, his values and the way in which this is reflected. He is approachable, authentic, sincere, reliable and with integrity, at times also very direct and provocative, but always out of a loving, approachable attitude and a sincere interest in something moving and developing for the individual, which can certainly serve as an eye-opener. I don't have the feeling that he thinks in pigeonholes, but engages with the individual with as open and unbiased a heart as possible. With him I feel safe, seen and in good hands. All these things were essential door openers, without which I would never have been able to go this way.
The ONE was for me the beginning of a path that makes me understand more and more, makes me want more and gives me hope that carries me. The waves in my life have become more, but internally a bridge has been built, paved with more confidence, calm and clarity, to be able to walk this path better and better.
Today I may learn to go further into trust, to show myself more and more, to accept, to be more mindful, to invite self-efficacy, to set boundaries and to open myself to the we. I may learn how important it is to make decisions and what a significant influence angles and attitudes have in life.
It's a long, lifelong journey, but the worry of "losing" myself in all the challenges goes some way. This feels good.
I am so grateful to life for this gift that it led me to ONE, giving me not only a family, but also and especially the gift of being able to participate in how people have new experiences, grow from them, and carry that into the world. That is the greatest gift for me.
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Translation
15 years - that's how long it's been since you came to ONE as a young 31-year-old woman and we met for the first time - at Easter 2008. Since then, our paths have crossed again and again. What a path you have traveled since then. With ups and downs and always in contact and connected.
The lasting impact you describe is a central concern for us and for me. It's about sharing experiences and sowing seeds that have a positive impact in your own life - because change needed development and maturing time.
I am happy and grateful for the network of people and opportunities that has developed over more than 30 years, fed by the bond of shared experiences and supported by the people themselves.
Best regards to B and to K - Markus