We Give Thanks...

 Thank you to all our parents, friends, and caregivers,
 who bring the children each week and make our mindfulness community possible.  
We will be back Jan 19th - March 16th for our winter session
hope to see you then!

Planting Seeds In Petersham

Sunday mornings 11:15am - 12:30pm @ The Davis Memorial, Petersham MA 

Winter 2014

January 19th - March 16th

Spring 2014

May 4th - June 29th

Dear friends, for More information about Mindfulness, or to start/deepen a meditation practice of your own, check out Chas DiCapua's Monday night meditation group at IMS.

Local Meditation Class with Chas DiCapua

Chas DiCapua, a graduate of the IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training, has offered meditation since 2001. He is interested in how all aspects of life can be used towards awakening. 

Currently the IMS Resident Teacher, he teaches throughout the US.

Meditation group meets Monday evenings 6:00pm-7:30pm @ IMS, Barre MA 
   

Last post of the fall season...

We GIVE THANKS...   for we are ALL CONNECTED

Our last gathering of the season, began with the gratitude song Many Hands by Rev. Jody Kessler. From plate to bowl to meal to room these beautiful lyrics remind us all of the "delicate balance" woven between our selves, each other, and the Earth. Sung or recited, it is a lovely way to give thanks, practice mindful eating, and celebrate mealtimes.

"In this room there are many hands. Let's join them all together in a circle if we can. And in the sacred silence, let there be gratitude For the many hearts and hands that made this food.                              Andy Laken from Open way Sanghas and Mindfulness center shares his recording of Many Hands online. (click here to listen)                

After our poem & stretch we spoke of giving thanks, and being grateful. The Sun, Family, life, myself, cats, pets, being together, animals, and niece's, were all things named to be thankful for.

  
Breaking up into groups, we used  
colorful felt boards to
illustrate the many Hands lyrics, 
and make tangible the thread from garden to table. Each group worked together, and then chose a spokesperson to share their design.

The Sun In My Belly is a beautifully illustrated book about inter being. Through the experience of Jenny and Molly, we are offered  a perspective that connects and grounds each of us in the earth and the sun, the rain and the wheat. It reminds us that we are all a part of this world - we are all connected - and therefore we are never really alone. A big picture" of life to comfort and reflect on. 

The Metta Meditatation from Buddha at Bedtime by Dhamachari Nagaraja, is one of our favorites. With a mantra of happiness. 

"May I be happy -may I be really happy

from my head right down to my toes. 

I love myself dearly"

The meditation takes the focus from one's own happiness and grows it, through family, friends, teachers, neighbors, until it radiates out to all beings, animals and the Earth. 

"May all beings be happy - may they be really happy

from their heads right down to their toes.

I love all beings and accept love from all of them, too"

After our refreshment, it was off to the art room for Pebble meditation peace flags...

Thank you! to Addie, Rhea, Maise, Morgan, Laura & Katie, Alijah, Jackson, Caleb & Hazel, Marlena, Carmelo & Zeke, Nell & Willa, Cecelia, Nora & Sienna & Ana! Each and everyone of you showed up with ready kindness, enthusiasm, and a spirit willing to help out, participate, and share. Together we explored, discovered, investigated, and dug a little deeper. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

We Bask in Nature

"Pebble Meditation was invented as a tangible way for children and families to return to their breathing and their bodies and connect with the world around them."

- from Plantings Seeds 

We put all the pebble elements together, and celebrated our connection to nature through meditation.  It was the perfect start to our Sunday, especially with several of our parents joining in - so very special to have you all there.

Joe Reilly "I Love Nature"

I LOVE NATURE by Joe Reilly 

started us off with song. This fun, infectious tune

will have you singing all week long - here is 

a live version. NOTE: You may want 

to listen rather than watch - the camera work is a bit shaky.

During the previous four weeks, we have explored the dynamics of Flower/Fresh, Mountain/Solid, still water/reflecting, and space/free, through story, meditation, discussion, art, song, and movement. It has been a rich, open and creative time full of lively conversation and shared experiences. (click here for pebble meditation cheat sheet)  Ask your child to teach you this simple and beautiful twelve breath meditation.

Pebble picking is always a lot of fun. 

Because of the rain we stayed close to the Davis, but there were no shortage of stones to choose from. Lots of excitement as they shared and compared treasure. 

Once inside we got right down to pouch work. It was a lovely communal vibe as we sat together lacing and beading, creating beautiful color combinations. When everyone was ready to do the meditation, you could have heard a pin drop. We had been practicing the pieces each week, and now we were putting it all together It was very special. 

After the meditation, We asked a few of our friends about their thoughts on pebble meditation and it's elements - here's what they had to say... send us your child's thoughts on their favorite, and we'll post them next week!

Flower / Fresh

"When my mom gives me a time out I can think about me as a blue flower with big petals and then I feel good.

-Hazel, age 4

Mountain / Solid

"I use mountain in order to calm myself down when I have a strong emotion. If I find out something really exciting at school, or if something really upsets me I imagine I am a mountain because it makes me feel solid. If I get really mad at someone I don't go over and hit them because I root myself. I stay where I am and tell myself I am really mad right now, but I am glad I can control my anger & that makes me feel good. I know I won't feel good if I hurt someone."

-Marlena, age 9

"I like the mountain meditation.  I like how it feels solid. I like to think about the grass, stones and trees and I feel connected to the earth that way. I have not used the meditation when i was upset.  I was scared of the noises that were coming from the fireplace so I thought about the mountain and felt stronger and not so scared"

-Maise, age 6

Space / Free

"I like space because when I get mad I go to my thoughtful spot and lay down or sit. In my space I see the stars and the moon -it's dark blue and silent.  After a few minutes I change from distracted  or mad to not anymore."

-Jackson, age 8

"When I am upset I get some space because it makes me feel good that I am alone, and that helps me think. I go up to my room to meditate and I feel freedom."

-Caleb, age 7

Lastly we gathered for refreshments and and invited parents to read the seven food contemplations with us. We traced back our muffins and pumpkin seeds from store to soil, and enjoyed every bite reflecting on the many people & elements that made our food!

Next week will be our last this season, So come join us! Here's a look at what well be up to...

Week 9 

we give thanks for each other and the Earth

Sing-a-long Many Hands from Planting Seeds CD

Listen Listen poem and stretch from Planting Seeds

Discussion and Exercise: we are all connected, group felt boards

heart food contemplations with strawberries and vanilla milk

Our story is The Sun in my Belly by Sister Susan

Metta meditation from The Buddha at Bedtime

Personal Peace flags with wishes for each other