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From the introduction to the family camp
I would really like to welcome you to the seekers and sages summer family camp.
Its a real pleasure to be with you all and we are all looking forward to a enjoyable and relaxed time.
I really want to emphasis that this time does not have to be filled up with things to do or not do. We can just try to look at the simple activities such as eating, relaxing, and being with one another in this safe and beautiful environment. Just enjoying life as it presents itself.
I want to encourage you to take responsibility for yourselves and in this way we can look after one another and develop as a dhamma community. So lets try and see the various things we have to do such as the chores or working in the kitchen or have a responsible position in the camp as opportunity to develop in the dhamma. Investigate what its all about. Why don't I want to do this, why do I like doing this.
For example:-
A simple thing like hoveering the corridors allows other family campers to see a clean place and this has a good affect on the mind. In this way we can each set an example. Although I'm not talking about being ridiculous neat and tidy, you should see my room! We can try to generate a atmosphere of co-operation and harmony. Harmony can also mean chaos!
To the adults here I would like to emphasis rest and communicating to one another. Communicating for me means really just being able to be honest with yourself (it does not have to mean that you share it) and others. For example I feeling tired and I don't want to do my chore, might mean saying to the person organizing the chore, could I do my chore later on, rather than skipping it, as the organizer won't know that you are going to do it later.
For the teenagers I would really appreciate if you try and explore what it is like to make choices from your own values. That could mean trying to help in some way you've never done before, just to see what that's like or not doing something that you don't really want to do but somebody has forced you to do it.
For the younger ones, last year there was a few problems with alarms going off and people going through peoples stuff in the dorms. I feel upset about this and I need some respect for the retreat center and peoples property. So if this happens this year I will want to speak to the children and the parents.
So the keywords, co-operation, communication, taking responsibility.
I would also like to hear any feedback- just let me know!
I'd like to start with a dedication to this camp...(adapted from the FWBO )
I thought we could all say this together – I'll say one line and the you repeat after me.
To dedicate this summer camp to respect the Three jewels,....the Buddha, dhamma and sangha
Here may are minds be quiet and full of peace
to follow the five precepts
to dedicate this family camp
to the practice of mindfulness
to dedicate this family camp
to the practise of wisdom
to dedicate this family camp
to realise enlightenment
though in the world outside there is strife
Here may there be peace
Though in the world outside there is hate
Here may there be love
Though in the world outside there is grief
Here may there be joy