The Dewdrop Digest

The Dewdrop Digest
Connecting Children, Youth and Sangha
Clouds in Water Zen Center
Sunday, June 15, 2003

Reflection on Spring Quarter and the year, a personal note from Katharine

Hi, although I write all the Dewdrops, mostly I am just reporting, but this is my personal take on our experience this year, so I want to acknowledge that.

It has been a great year. All of the classes have deeply and thoroughly studied and practiced the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (as age appropriate). We have practiced mindfulness of the senses, body, breath, sensations (positive/ negative/neutral), emotions, and dharmas (objects of mind). This quarter, to express the bridge between mindfulness and peacemaking, we made peace dolls for the Peace Doll Give-away (at the Textile Center starting July 11), bean bags for a homeless shelter, a painting for Great Patience Hall, and quilt squares for the sangha quilt. Each was beautifully made and lovingly given: thank you!

We have grown to know each other and love each other. I believe that just about every student has found a sense of community, a place where they meet friends and caring adults, a place where they feel safe and welcomed. And yes, I think for many of the older students, there is a sense of sangha, the feeling that we support their practice and development.

I am very proud of being a part of making this happen, and I am so proud of and grateful to the students, parents, teachers and the whole sangha. To the whole sangha, deep gratitude for supporting this practice in many ways. To parents, thanks for waking your children and bringing them here 18 times per year, for helping to cover the costs, for helping in class, for stimulating home practice! Students, thank you for giving us the opportunity to joyfully transmit the Great Heart of Wisdom and Compassion to the next generation. Thank you for showing up with your whole selves each session and for being our teachersÖAnd teachers, read on:

Thank you teachers
Dan Griffin, Bob Fleming, Sosan Flynn,
Robbie Gunther, Scott Parker, Steve Wilson,
Steph Wenderski, Carol Patt,
Darin Smith, Matt Simonson, and #1 sub:
Jeff Kelley, Janene Glyn, Bob Zeglovitch,
Mari Maack-Magnusson, Marc Anderson

You have made a meaningful and significant difference in the lives of each of these children. And it has been a joy to work with you. Many bows to you!!

Mears Park today

Today is our annual Year End Picnic Celebration at Mears Park. Perfect weather, yahoo!! Besides enjoying games and snacks, each class will reflect on their experiences this quarter and for the whole year. We'll talk about what we remember, what we liked and disliked, what we'd like more of or less of, and what made a difference in our lives. What we hear in this conversation each year usually rather gratifying, but is always very helpful in planning the coming year.


Children's and Youth Practice Survey
Each of you can help our planning by filling out the enclosed survey. Please leave it at the greeter's table by the front door.


2003ó2004 Theme: "Peacemaking and the Four Noble Truths"

Buddha taught that there is dukha (suffering and dissatisfaction); that the roots of dukha are attachment, anger and ignorance; and that there is a path to freedom and peace. We will explore these teachings (the first Three Truths) throughout next year. The Fourth Truth, the Eightfold Path of peace, focuses on Mind Training, Wholesome Behavior, and Wisdom. We will study and practice the three aspects of the Eightfold Path in conjunction with three peacemaking ideas:
"Peacemaking begins with me." (Fall Quarter - Mind Training)
"Peacemaking means living in harmony with friends and family." (Winter Quarter - Wholesome Behavior)
"Peacemaking includes plants, animals, minerals, people and the whole earth." (Spring Quarter- Wisdom)

During Fall Quarter, we will explore the Four Noble Truths as it relates to "Peacemaking begins with me." We will study the Mind Training aspect of the Eightfold Path, cultivating bare attention as the path to letting go of attachment, anger and ignorance, the path to inner peace. We will begin to consider the continuum between inner peace, peace in our community and world peace in a Family Peace Action Workshop on Sunday, October 19th. Peace activist and author Rebecca Janke will do peacemaking activities with students during class, and then will meet with the sangha as a whole from 11:00 to 12:30 following a light potluck brunch from 10:30 to 11:00. Please mark your calendar!

Fall Quarter 2003

Fall Quarter dates will be September 21, October 5 and 19, November 2, 16 and 30. The registration deadline is September 7. Fees for all classes will be $54 per child per quarter (members: $36). Registration materials will be sent to families of all current students in late August.

Question, suggestion, problem? Contact Children's and Youth Practice Coordinator Katharine Krueger here at x10 or katharine@cloudsinwater.org

posted by Michael Howard on 6/15/2003 02:25:00 PM | link