Intensive II: Participants and Leaders

Peace and Reconciliation

Intensives I & II


Intensive II, October 2006: Participants and Leaders

During the first week in October, we held our two major programs for those in Northern Ireland who are at work in their communities reconciling and healing past divisions.

Both programs are by invitation only. Intensive I explores the questions of the identity the past gives us and how we can bring others together in ways that support everyone in creating a new kind of future for ourselves and our communities. Intensive II is the follow-up program that works on current challenges and issues.

Intensive I had 38 participants, including a couple so committed to grassroots cross-community work that they came from Israel to take part. Here are some early reports on Intensive I from the participants themselves:

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“The experience was such a valuable time to look honestly at my commitment to peace and reconciliation. The 'mix' of differences among participants and their views was unbelievable. The fact that after three days we could hold our differences differently and celebrate this so joyfully at our closing party was miraculous. I came away with new purpose, valued contacts and much hope for the peace process in Northern Ireland.”

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“Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the Mastery Intensive. It certainly was a unique and fantastic experience. I was so impressed with the men and women I met during those few days. I only wish such an opportunity could be made available to everyone in the whole of Ireland. What a changed country we would be.”

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“What a very powerful course you just gifted us with. Such an amazing combination of excellent material, silence, generous conversation time, sensitivity, warmth, compassion, love and so much more.
“There are no words adequate to express my gratitude for the experience of the Intensive, but I really do want to thank the entire team for your time, your energy, enthusiasm, encouragement and huge generosity. The course will be a positive influence on my life and work for many, many years to come.”

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“The Intensive was an extraordinary experience and opportunity for me to be with people from a wide range of backgrounds who are vitally involved in the peace process in Northern Ireland. The courage, commitment and vulnerability of these men and women is extraordinary. Despite the pain, energy drain and personal cost to themselves and their families, they are deeply committed to continue the work that one day will guarantee a future with a difference. It was a tremendous and rare privilege for me to be part of such a group.
“The highlight for me was the last evening when we gathered to celebrate our three days together. We laughed, sang songs, recited poetry from both traditions and generally had a fantastic evening. We were simply people who dropped our defenses, got to know one another as people, became friends and left amazed and awe-filled at the commitment, talent, humour and genuine goodness of one another. Truly in such a setting the impossible not only becomes possible but probable!”

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During Intensive II, which took place over an afternoon, evening and the following morning, 20 participants looked again at the distinction between the stories that empower them and those that disempower them.

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“The power of story telling and the recreation of new stories is so very powerful. I know that the opportunity for all of us to look at our stories of the past and the present has to have an impact on the reality of the situation today as we prepare for the voting on a new government on November 25. Surely, the previous Mastery Foundation courses have made a very positive contribution to the delicate situation faced by all who will be voting.”

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“Once again Mastery created a unique space in Northern Ireland where people could freely speak. The gentle coaching of the team leaders allowed participants to explore, find for themselves, and articulate powerfully and authentically what it is they are up to. Listening to the others in the group, I realized that people are much more important than their organization or work.”

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‘Not a word nor a second were wasted.’

‘Vision without action is merely a dream.
Action without vision is merely passing time.
Vision with action can change the world.’
Nelson Mandela

“Those two statements came to mind in describing Intensive II last week. Starting from a point where I was caught up in the serial crises which pass for my day-to-day work, I came out the other end of our 11 hours together completely re-energised. What caused this transformation was a whole range of different conversations, the provision of good information, time and space well designed, and the opportunity to remind myself — and to be reminded by others — of my vision, purpose, possibility, and ability to create.
“It was a powerful, useful time, full of real hope and a model of what can be done in just a few hours.”

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Both Intensive I and Intensive II were led and supported by a team of volunteers from the United States and Northern Ireland. The leaders were Allan Cohen, Michael Johnston, Michael Delia, Brighde Vallely, and Ann Overton. The support team members were Barbara Knox, Patience Riley, Michael Cook, and Gene Miller. Margaret Geelan and Tracy Hegarty were part of the local enrollment team before the courses began.