Day 4 – Enjoy the feast & Share your starters

Story of day 4

Written by Terence Lam

This morning, I woke up earlier than usual, reflecting on last night’s celebration—the co-created dance, shared laughter, and heartwarming messages I received. It’s the fourth and final day, and I feel a growing reluctance to say goodbye.

Walking into the venue, I’m captivated by the beautiful landscape drawings crafted by the Harvesting Team. The candles we lit last night still flicker at the circle’s center, reminding us to keep the flame of the 4-fold practice alive in our hearts.

The Harvesting Team led us in a collective breathing exercise, helping us remember yesterday’s sessions. I noticed my habit of holding my breath too briefly and exhaling too quickly, which made me wonder,

“What new possibilities might emerge in my life if I could stay in the Groan Zone longer and breathe out a bit slower?”

During our check-in, we drew inspiration from a Taiwanese children’s song, “Yi Bi Ya Ya,” using body movements to celebrate our four days of growth. The room was filled with positive energy, laughter, and singing.

Today’s focus was on putting our learning into action, guided by the wisdom we had gathered throughout the workshop. The morning began with a session on Designing for WISER Actions, an intentional process-design space. It was enlightening to dive into crafting strategies that not only meet immediate needs but align with each of our visions for bringing AoH to life—whether in super-aging society, sustainability for children, change management, or school transformation…etc. This exercise reminded us of the importance of slowing down to ask powerful questions before rushing into solutions.

The Networking Lunch provided a relaxed, vibrant atmosphere for connection beyond structured sessions. We sang, shared ideas, and offered mutual support, underscoring the value of informal conversations for building genuine relationships and generating insights.

After lunch, the Hosting Team announced that we are all now part of the AoH community. We are like newborn artists, learning to walk with the 4-fold practices on one foot and the 8 breaths of design on the other. Step by step, we’ll move forward together, crafting new art and thriving as a community. The old proverb came to my mind: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

We continued with a silent Gallery Walk, practicing harvesting from the heart. This exercise offered a powerful moment of reflection, allowing me to absorb the lessons, growth, and shared story of this four-day journey. It felt as if we weren’t just concluding a day but planting seeds for future AoH movements in Taiwan.

Looking back, I feel deep gratitude for this space that encouraged us to slow down, reflect, and act with intention. The 4-fold practice came to life: hosting myself, being hosted, hosting others, and co-creating community. I leave with clarity, a commitment to the actions I want to take, and confidence in being part of a supportive community.