TC in Austria_ pax Edition
The training in Austria was the final stop of a journey that’s been going on for the past year and a half, all about social coaching. Two other trainings had taken place before this, but this third one felt like the circle was finally closing – everything fell into place.
We’ve been working with the same group since the beginning, and that made it really special. I’ve made real friends along the way – we’ve shared hours of conversations, deep thoughts, laughter. And even though we come from different countries, we’re concerned about the same things: how to leave a small, positive impact in our local communities.
That’s what moves me the most – the fact that people from such different backgrounds can connect so well and actually learn from each other. We didn’t just gain knowledge; we also gained perspective: how life looks in other places, how others understand the role of a coach, how they organize community actions on the ground.
The place where we stayed was magical – surrounded by nature, clean air, peace and quiet. Our mornings were full of training; our afternoons were for relaxing, outdoor activities, and simply being together. That’s when I truly felt how powerful the combination of coaching and nature can be. It helped me personally, on a deeper level, but I also saw how meaningful and effective it is when working with others.
I’m leaving this experience full of joy, inspiration, and above all, a strong desire to put everything I’ve learned into practice. I feel ready to bring something tangible and valuable back to my community. And I’m truly grateful for everyone I met – the organizers, the trainers, and the whole group who made this journey so memorable. I’m really glad I was part of this story.
Vasilis Arvanitakis
Once upon a time, thousands of meters away from here, in a small and yet so magical village, 20 people met, with a common goal… To complete their education and make the world a little better… But this training was not a mere plunge into sterile knowledge. It was a dive into the depths of the self, a union with each person’s unique purpose. With love as their only map and the inner wisdom inherent in every being as their only compass, these people began their journey as a group. But the journey is different for each one. There is not just one path… All in the same place and yet each in their own unique place. On a path that cannot be compared or copied… With many tools, generously given by the instructors, with walking, pauses, breaths, omens, twists and turns, and most importantly, returns. A journey that connected us with all aspects of ourselves… All paths are unique and precious… But more valuable is the sharing of the experience in the circle, the support of the group and the care of intense emotions…
Μια φορά κι έναν καιρό, χιλιάδες μέτρα μακριά από εδώ, σ’ ένα χωριό μικρό και ταυτόχρονα τόσο μαγικό, συναντήθηκαν 20 άνθρωποι, με στόχο κοινό… Να ολοκληρώσουν την εκπαίδευση τους και να κάνουν τον κόσμο λίγο καλύτερο… Μα αυτή η εκπαίδευση δεν ήταν μία απλή βουτιά μέσα στη στείρα γνώση. Ήταν μία κατάδυση στα βάθη του εαυτού, μια ένωση με τον μοναδικό σκοπό του καθενός. Με μόνο χάρτη την αγάπη και μόνη πυξίδα την εσωτερική σοφία που ενυπάρχει σε κάθε ον, αυτοί οι άνθρωποι ξεκίνησαν σαν μία ομάδα το ταξίδι τους. Αλλά το ταξίδι είναι διαφορετικό για τον καθένα. Δεν υπάρχει μόνο ένα μονοπάτι… Όλοι στο ίδιο μέρος και ταυτόχρονα καθένας στο δικό του μοναδικό σημείο. Σε μια διαδρομή που δεν συγκρίνεται και δεν αντιγράφεται… Με πολλά εργαλεία, δοσμένα απλόχερα από τους εκπαιδευτές, με περπάτημα, παύσεις, ανάσες, οιωνούς, ανατροπές και κυρίως επιστροφές. Ένα ταξίδι που μας ένωσε με όλες τις πτυχές του εαυτού μας… Όλα τα μονοπάτια μοναδικά και πολύτιμα… Όμως, πιο πολύτιμο το μοίρασμα της εμπειρίας στον κύκλο, η υποστήριξη της ομάδας και η φροντίδα των έντονων συναισθημάτων…
The last meeting in person took place in Austria in a small village which is called Strengberg. The venue where we spent our days was a nice beautiful wooden Austrian house. With a big balcony and a large trampoline on the yard. The weather was perfect with sunny mornings and chilly nights. The landscape was always giving something more to the whole experience. In the last training the days were passing more slowly. Our target of this training was to learn ways to facilitate and be the coaches of a group of coaches. In the process we discussed a lot about our everyday struggles, the challenges in our communities and how we can be as supportive as possible to the people who will need us. Through the processes of non-formal education we embodied the roles and the difficulties we could face while practicing the role of “coaching the coaches”. The days were passing and we were receiving so much information and our trainers prepared for us the best closing. During the last days we started to prepare ourselves through meditation, being closer to nature and with the guidance of our trainers to start our own journey… The last day we had to face a big challenge. We were able to stay for twelve hours alone inside the forest by the Danube with one purpose only. To find an answer to our question. Personally this was the biggest challenge I have probably ever put on myself to face. Those twelve hours passed so fast and so slow at the same time. This journey gave me more confidence and hope for my life and the purpose of it. From this training I keep the laughter, the love, the dreams, the vibe, the food and the people who were by my side for those two years. I’m always grateful for this experience and amazed about how the practice of coaching gave me so much. Thank you to everyone for this experience, till we meet again and create magic.
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