The Dewdrop Digest

The Dewdrop Digest
Connecting Children, Youth and Sangha
Clouds in Water Zen Center
Sunday, October 27, 2002

Today's lesson:
Our focus this year is "Mindfulness and Meditation". Today the Preschool, K-1 and 2nd/3rd grade classes will be learning about how young Siddhartha encountered suffering in the forms of sickness, old age and death.

4th- 8 graders will learn about Buddha's life following his enlightenment including a review of his basic teachings (The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path) and the establishment of the Sangha.

Suffering and The Four Noble Truths
The common element between in today's lessons for all classes is suffering. When Shakyamuni perceived that suffering is an inevitable part of existence in a life-form (the First Noble Truth), he recognized many forms of suffering. In class, we help the youngest students to recognize that every human experiences birth, growth, sickness, aging and death ? and that impermanence is the nature of life. And we help them to realize that everyone feels some satisfaction and some dissatisfaction everyday (e.g., not getting what you want, being hurt or sad).

At a surprisingly young age, students are able to comprehend the Second Noble Truth, the cause of suffering: greed, anger and ignorance.

On a day when we teach about the First Noble Truth, we always teach about the Third Noble Truth, that there is an end to suffering. For the youngest children, our message is simple: "The world is a good place. You are surrounded by people who love you, protect you and care for you. When you feel dissatisfied, get hurt or feel sad, someone cares and helps."

Today, the youngest classes will be touching upon the First and Third Truths as part of the life story of the Buddha. 4th- 8 graders will review each of the Four Noble Truths including the Fourth Truth, the path to the end of suffering, embodied in the Eightfold Path:
- Right View, believing in the Four Noble Truths;
- Right Thought, having thoughts of compassion and generosity;
- Right Speech, avoiding lies, gossip, and harsh words;
- Right Action, avoiding harm to others;
- Right Livelihood, working in a job that does not abuse others;
- Right Effort, generating positive thoughts while making efforts;
- Right Mindfulness, acting in full awareness;
- Right Concentration


Combined class:
For the past two years, we have had separate classes for Upper Elementary students (grades 4 and 5) and Middle School (grades 6-8). Since both of these classes are smaller than usual this quarter, we have combined them. Three of the four teachers will stay with the group and the fourth teacher is available as a substitute or to help with special projects. The class will split up into age groups for some of the teaching presentations and discussions but will be together for opening ceremony, yoga, and arts activities.


Homework
Read a book or story that includes an element of suffering, dissatisfaction or impermanence. Draw a picture or write a couple sentences (or more) about what struck you, and bring to class. For younger children, some of the best books about this are ones that simply talk about the changing seasons or about farm life (planting ahd harvesting), for example "Children of the Forest," (Beskow), "The Story of the Root-Children" (von Olfers) or "Haystack" (Geisert). For older children, "Farmer Boy" by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a great one for this, or just about any of her books. A superb book for younger children about beginnings and endings is "When the Wind Stops" (Zolotov).


Mindful Parenting
After a one-month hiatus, this group we will meet again next month, on the third Sunday (as usual) but at a new time: Sunday, November 17, 4pm - 6pm. Our focus will be the second foundation of mindful parenting - empathy - as discussed in Myla and Jan Kabat-Zinn's book "Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting," pages 63 - 71.

Attendance was rather low in September, so we really want to reach out to all parents who would like to be supported in their mindful parenting, and who are interested in Buddhist practice and study as part of their path. Having a monthly focus and checking in with each other each month can really make a difference in our development as parents, so please consider making a personal commitment to visit or continue attending this group.

Although drop-ins are welcome, it would be helpful if you could let us know that you plan to attend. Contact person is Katharine Krueger at 651-222-6968 x10 here or katharine@cloudsinwater.org


Thanks for buying organic trail mix!
Thanks to Jim for selling the mix, to Cynthia for helping me weigh it, and to many of you for buying a bag. We raised around $65.


posted by Michael Howard on 10/27/2002 11:00:00 PM | link