Maheshwari Jani presented her eighth
outstanding session with our residents at SHAFA HOME, Delhi on Monday 30th
June 2014. The aim of this session was to facilitate our internal attentiveness
to carry out correct behavioural response. All agreed that this topic perfectly
complemented the teachings of SHAFA’s treatment programme in terms of
considering an appropriate and inappropriate way to act behave. This is SHAFA’s
fundamental goal in helping its residents.
The first activity involved our residents
playing a role-playing game testing their emotional-responses. Participants
split into small groups and enacted situations where they had to depict their
true and innermost feelings without actually speaking a word. This activity
gaged whether we could successfully make genuine responses and whether others
could accurately discern the difference between a ‘sincere’ and ‘fake’ response.
Maheshwari Ji encouraged to take off our ‘emotional mask’ and express ourselves
openly without the fear of being ridiculed. Residents were also encouraged to
let go of the assumption that their companions would somehow ignore or
misunderstand them. This second-guessing of others is a troublesome habit that
addicts seemingly demonstrate. The typical addict is a great pretender,
believing him or herself unable to be understood by anyone. This is a total
myth! Last week we were fronted with the fact that 70% of our communication is
carried out through paralinguistics and this game validated that fact. 
Residents’ non-verbal communication
superseded that of spoken communication. The breadth of expression demonstrated
through paralinguistic communication is immense through subtle and overt body
movements and positioning. This activity was then followed by a small game of
dumb-charades. Members got into the flow of things and let their team-spirit
shine strong.
Members further explored verbal vs. non-verbal
communicative exchange. We feed off each others’ emotional cues. Once we are
able to sensitise ourselves to others’ emotional cues (thoughts, feelings and
behaviours) then we are better able to measure out our words and body language
in order to execute an effective and multi-dimensional dialogue. Communication
is an art form. The aim of communication should be to acknowledge and respect
the words and emotions of others. In order to do this, we need to keep an open,
compassionate and empathetic mind. Once we fix up our interpersonal skills and
learn to be more aware of how others think and feel, then we are all set to
achieve positive, relationship-fortifying encounters and consequently
communicate in a meaningful and harmonious way
We have to admit every recovering addict’s
communication skills are a little rusty when they enter treatment, but rest
assured, it does not remain that way. They become brilliantly perceptive of
themselves and others. The more we open our minds to new ways of behaving and
the more we strengthen our positive communicational response, the more
relationships we will forge and sustain within our lives.Once we learn to
respect our own and others’ boundaries and learn how to respectfully portray
our intentions then we can strengthen our social networks.
Maheshwari Ji’s succession of winning
sessions never fails to amaze and astound us all. It certainly perks our
residents up and fills them with fresh insights and fantastic knowledge;
further propelling them onwards their journey of self-improvement. From all of
us at SHAFA HOME, we send our continuous thanks and deep gratitude for Ms.
Maheshwari Jani’s ongoing time, dedication and effort with our keen residents.
To view pics please click the link below:
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