Highlights from a 16 Guidelines Level 2 Course in Mongolia
During the last week of September 2023, FPMT Mongolia was very pleased to host a 16 Guidelines Level 2 course at the FPMT-M Center in Ulaanbaatar for 20 participants. They had previously completed the Level 1 course and engaged in the Building on the Basics practical activities. This course was facilitated by Wendy Ridley, FDCW board member and facilitator who travelled from the UK to be with and support the Mongolian team.
The four-day event was prompted by the continued demand from participants who had participated in earlier Level 1 courses and who were highly motivated to explore the 16G more deeply and make progress on themselves, perhaps becoming Level 1 facilitators. The first 16G Level 1 course in Mongolia was held in February 2019 and facilitated by Wendy, then the Covid pandemic delayed her return to facilitate a Level 2. In the early summer of 2023 Mongolian facilitators Khonghor Tsedendamba and Oyuntugs Handsuren facilitated in Ulaanbaatar the first Level 1 course purely in Mongolian.
Participants attending the Level 2 course included eight FPMT-M staff along with participants from a variety of professional backgrounds including education, psychology, law, finance, business, Master’s degree students and caregivers. Translators from the FPMT-M office and outside were invaluable in translating everything and in assisting Wendy in facilitating interactive learning activities.
The 16G Level 2 curriculum takes at least 12 hours to deliver, often spread over 2 days. In order to accommodate the additional time required for Mongolian translation the course ran over four days. And some participants expressed the desire to spend an extra day on the course!
The Level 2 training was supported and organised very successfully by the FPMT–M team. Everyone involved greatly appreciated Wendy’s expert facilitation skills and user-friendly approach that encouraged and motivated participants to practice, embody, and study the 16G further. Many of the participants now want to become Level 1 facilitators in order to share this simple and deeply effective program in Mongolia to help all age groups to address and recognise their inner strength. All 20 course participants received 16G Level 2 Certificates for successfully completing the course.
A number of ideas were discussed on how to keep the Level 2 learning and momentum going. These included:
1) Joining the Mongolian 16G Facebook group to share information and experiences and to make use of and track our personal action plan for continued use of the 16G;
2) Working to integrate the 16G as an FPMT-M’s organisational culture and
3) Making use of the international FDCW website & Facebook groups to access additional resources. Fourthly, and most importantly, the group agreed to form a 16G in-person “Discussion / Learning Group” to continue with activities initiated during the course or to explore new ways to apply learning and skills from the workshop. Four participants volunteered to take on the role of group organisers and these included one FPMT-M staff and three other participants.
In addition to the four-day L2 training, the Mongolian team requested a half-day training from Wendy for both FPMT-M and Board Members on orientation to and use of the FPMT Inner Job Description tool which is part of the FPMT’s Foundation Service Seminar. This additional training was greatly appreciated. All those attending felt the tool will be extremely helpful in terms of promoting inner development while also striving to improve professional skills and practices.
The FPMT Mongolia team would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Merit Box Grant fund for providing some financial support towards these activities. Special thanks go to Wendy Ridley for returning to Mongolia to inspire, motivate and nurture the spark of light from the 16 Guidelines and for helping it to shine brighter in our hearts and minds. A big thank you goes to the translators for delivering the 16G L2 course in Mongolian and for helping to frame it within the Mongolian cultural context. We thank you all and rejoice in this most excellent work.
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The 16 Guidelines offer practical tools for self-reflection, compassion, and mindful living. Whether new to these principles or seeking to deepen your understanding, the 16 Guidelines provide a framework for positive personal growth and enriching relationships with others. Discover how these teachings can bring greater meaning and joy to your life by starting your journey with us today.
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