Cheng Xin Rui’s Experience (Facilitator) [he/him]

As a facilitator, I think my biggest struggle is toeing the line between guiding and imposing. In this programme, so much of the focus is placed on allowing the participants to explore their own personal truths. You might think that would require facilitators know or understand the participants’ personal truth, but that impulse is misguided. I know this because it’s an impulse I’m still struggling with. I often find myself observing a participant and trying to piece together some sort of narrative in their work, before I catch myself. The specific memory or association is important, but it is important to the participant. In truth, creating and maintaining the space is the most crucial, and in my opinion most difficult aspect of the facilitation. It is about creating a space that is open, sincere, accepting, and welcoming, where any memory can be explored in whatever way the participant wishes. Once that space is established, the participant is able to put into the space their story, and the sincerity of the facilitator is not expressed through any attempt to mine out the participants’ personal stories, but rather watching their scores with sincerity identifying strong associations that emerge and providing feedback, giving the participants with potential avenues for exploration. This is another area I find endlessly fascinating, but struggle with nonetheless. Spotting associations is something that requires a keen eye, something I am still developing, and whether or not the participant wishes to incorporate it into their work is entirely their choice. After all, in this process, the facilitator invites, but never forcibly pulls participants along. It is their story, and we are but humble guides.