Club Zen

Inviting the Bell

I piloted a Dharma class for children this weekend: CLUB ZEN. It was called Dharma Kids, but we've decided to rename it as many people don't know what Dharma means. The class is now called:

 Club Zen: games, songs and meditation--for children and teens 
ages 6-16  

 Zen has become a mainstream concept for children partly because of the global popularity of the books Zen Shorts and Zen Ties by Jon J. Muth.

Drawing Our Calm Places of Refuge

Pebble Meditation

Cooperative Rolling Marble Game
*photos by Miranda Hart

The class was a triumph thanks to all my  participants and helpers. My nephew accompanied our songs on guitar.

The atmosphere was joyful and peaceful. I had so much fun teaching the class and all of my activities were well received. I couldn't believe how focused our little 6 years olds were during meditation! I over-planned and only managed to complete about 1/3 of my activities, which, is great as I can use the remainder for future classes. My next task is advertising for next month's meeting in many more locations and getting the local news involved. 

When I Breathe In, I breathe In Peace

When I Breathe Out, I Breathe Out Love

Dharma Kids

The city I live in has very little Buddhism for children. Zero to be precise. So, this is my attempt to bring a little Dharma to the children of Kelowna. I'm not a nun or a monk, just a lay practitioner. However, I am a teacher, with lots of experience working with children. I'm all that we have for now--it's me or no Dharma Kids.

At the last retreat I attended with my sister (following the teachings of Thich Nhat Hahn), we decided that our children would truly benefit from regular Sangha meetings and mindfulness lessons. Thus, Dharma Kids was born. It may just be my sister and I, our children, my nephew ( yes, nephew, whether you know it or not, we need your genius to help out) and a few of their friends who come, in the beginning, but it is a beginning. I'm basing the hour on Planting Seeds teachings by Thich Nhat Hahn and the Plum Village Community. I am also throwing in a little of my unique teaching style: perhaps a little meditation dance...

I am excited to be the one inviting the bell for our first meeting. Inviting the bell during Sangha is a way for all to stop and listen to the Buddha within, calling us home--away from distractions and back to the essence of being at peace within oneself and the world. It is a very meaningful practice, so it is an honour for me to initiate this ritual. 

The hour will include a little meditation, songs, games and fun. I'm looking forward to it. I have never taught Dharma before, so this requires much preparation. I've asked to be advertised at the Yoga House, CBC, Castanet, The Waldorf School and Urban Harvest. I'll try a few more places too. Let me know if you have any more advertising ideas. Wish us luck...

Metta 

Namaste

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