Commitment Seminar

Pathway to Adventure :


Followed by the Landmark Forum, we were to attend 10 sessions of Commitment Seminar. The purpose of the seminar was to train ourselves to identify our real commitments; separate them our from the hidden commitments which dictate our lives and be true and committed in whatever we undertook as a matter of being as our word.

Each commitment that we make begins as an adventure. Somewhere down the line and depending how important it is; the commitment begins to become a burden. This happens as we realise that we take on commitments without considering the full implications with regards to the time, effort, sacrifices and a host of previous obligations to ourselves and others that we are already committed to.

At some point in time, we are either disenchanted by the commitment itself; or towards our own self for not being able to adhere to those commitments.

Also, there are a host of other hidden and undeclared commitments which "interfere with our real" commitments.

This can be illustrated by various examples the the participants share both at the Seminar and amongst the teams of 5 to 6 that were formed for the process. Sharing is an important technique that strengthens the thought process and gives a concrete shape to the things we say we are committed to.

The participants are asked to form one commitment which they strive to fulfil during the course of the 10 session lasting over about 3 months period.

From what I could gather from the participants' sharing, the commitments ranged from losing weight to growth at career to improvement in personal relationships with siblings.

I was particularly surprised to see that many of the participants had strained relationships with their siblings and their commitment was to normalise this and make it more loving.

Though the program leaders at Landmark have throughout coached participants to take responsibility for their actions and not blame the other for any of the issues relating to the deteriorated relationships, in reality it is very difficult to accept this responsibility fully and unilaterally set about to mend the damage done over many years through either faulty communication or total lack of it.

Nevertheless, a commitment is a commitment. We set about this task feeling inspired by the motto of the Seminar-to be able to experience the feeling of being more enlivened and fulfilled. It is almost as if you are inventing a future for yourself which you would be proud of.

Hidden & Undeclared Commitments :

At the Seminar, we are introduced to the notion that we’re not actually committed to the things say we’re committed to and that we are instead devoted to all kinds of “hidden and undeclared commitments.” Commitments like wanting to do things our own way, to being mediocre, to proving that we’re not good enough. Underneath those commitments are even more cynical commitments, in what seems like a never-ending circle. It’s an onion, peeled layer by layer, that has no core. The participants are required to uncover these cynical commitments and share them with a partner. Are they really committed to proving their not good enough? Or are their simply obstacles (insecurities, a lack of faith in ones self, the previous experience of failure) which inhibit the commitments we were intending to keep?

What exactly are the hidden commitments? Anything which stops you from achieving what you truly want to can be termed as a hidden commitment. The most glaring hidden commitment is being resigned or cynical towards creating a new future for yourself. Once this barrier is overcome, you can envision almost anything as a possibility for yourself. Don't sell out to cynicism and resignation. Invest in a possibility.

As an assignment, we were asked to list out the hidden commitments and I discovered a lot about myself through thought and discussion with my team members. Sharing one's thought has a unique way of presenting an aspect which is hitherto unknown to us. This is the USP of Landmark.

Another gain from sharing (enrolling as it is called at Landmark) is that you become more committed when you put your thoughts in words in front of someone. You reiterate your commitment each time you share it with someone.

Character in a Soap Opera : My Story.

One of my posts in this blog, My Story, is an assignment which we did to discover the character I am acting out in my life. Basically, we keep playing a character throughout our life. This character dictates and determines the actions we take in certain situations and anything outside the purview of this character is rejected outright as something impossible. This obstacle to our commitment to the possibility that we have invented has to be removed by identifying and consciously negating its influence at every juncture.

Commitments and Expectations:

Expectations when not fulfilled cause hurt and a feeling of failure. This is a big obstacle to fulfilling commitments. We need to separate out expectations from our commitments. Rather, unfulfilled expectations should not have any impact on how we deal with our long term commitments.

The new possibility for a brand new future can be arrived at by creating a different story and playing our a character that suits the new story. The commitment made by the character becomes you. Just by making sure the distinctions of Integrity and Authenticity are adhered to, you can bring about a transformation you aspire for. The process continues to be sharing and enrolling others in your story and your commitments.

Practice honouring your word. Be your word. Keep your word.

What is the driving force behind our resignation or unwillingness to set higher goals? Change your perspective. Breakthroughs can be arrived at by enrolling, sharing views, discussion and dialogue.

There are areas of life where you are strong and others which are your weaknesses. Identify your strong suits and weaknesses and declare independence from your hidden commitments.

Great men are known not for their commitments, but by their commitments. The possibility to transform not just your life, but of others. Invent such a future for yourself. Anything is possible.