Stories of Transformation through Contemplative Practice:
Rachael Kessler of the PassageWays Institute

In a senior class in Colorado I watched two young men, a burly football player and a tall slender drama student, scale the walls of prejudice and discover what it feels like to overcome divisiveness.

Kyle was the most flamboyant student I have known. He chose each outfit with a sense of theatricality and style that in the 40's might have been called dapper. His clothes were not feminine but his attention to fashion and his devotion to theater disturbed some of the more macho students. In our class he graced us with an unusual combination of cheerful good nature and courageous honesty and thoughtfulness. Halfway through the semester Kyle came in early to talk with staff before the other students came in. He was upset and we encouraged him to talk about it in our council meeting. When the talking stone came to him Kyle began. "I know we have another topic, but I have to talk about something that happened in the lunch room this week. I was with some of my friends from theater and vocal. We just kind of came together spontaneously and started to sing. Other kids started to gather around us and encouraged us to go for it. You know, to sing louder and really get into it. So we did. We were really jamming and it felt great. Then this group of jocks gathered in their own little circle and started jeering us. The next thing they were throwing spit balls. Spit. God it was painful. So humiliating, so unnecessary. I have to say ..." Kyle turned now and looked across the circle at Mike, co-captain of the football team. "I have to say, Mike, that I saw you among them, and that it really, really hurt." Mike looked down at his shoes. His face was red. Kyle passed the stone.

It was close to ten minutes before it got to Mike. He didn't respond. He chose to address the theme of the counsel, speaking briefly without much feeling. Kyle was upset after class. We honored him for speaking his truth and encouraged him to be patient. Weeks later at the end of the senior retreat, Mike spoke up in a group session. He looked at Kyle. "I had these prejudices when I came into the group, but my heart has been opened to you, Kyle. I feel a lot of love for you now. I really value you. I just wish I had more time to get to know you."

When students find themselves overcoming deep and persistent divisions in their own relationships and in the life of the community, the entire class shares a moment of transcendence. Prejudice and idealogical conflicts can be transcended in classrooms where authentic community is achieved. So can scapegoating. Through telling their stories, laughing and playing together students have discovered a new respect, openness and affection for one another. This class has truly proven to me that everyone contains such personal beauty. It amazes me. "It only makes me want to get to know people better," writes one senior.