Young Person Retreat 2006

The young person retreat 2006 was attended by over 40 young people age from 13-19 years old. There was a large group from two schools how where studying religious studies at A level. One retreatant came all the way from Scotland. The time table was changed slightly to allow for a longer rest in the morning and to follow the natural rhythm of young people.

As part of the introductory session we asked the young people to draw in groups what there expectations where ... here are some of them. Because we have a child protection policy in operation you want see any pictures of the young people involved in the retreat which is a bit disappointing.

You can see the timetable here.

Over the weekend we did Alexander technique, chi kung, source process breathwork.

We also watched the the first 20 minutes if the matrix - leading into a lively discussion about "what is your question?" The idea behind this was to get involved with the action of the movie but to listen to what the actors where saying. For example

"Wake up"

"Have you ever had that feeling that you are not sure whether you are awake or dreaming?"

"you are looking for the answer. Its the question which drives you mad. What is the question?"

Here are some links about the Matrix and Buddhism

http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/rl_cmp/new_phil_wakeup.html
http://www.unomaha.edu/jrf/thematrix.htm
http://atheism.about.com/od/philosophyofreligion/a/maxtrixbuddhism.htm
http://nisargadatta.net/Matrix/matrix_philosophy_1.htm
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/126/story_12678_1.html

We used art to look at the past, future and present by drawing what we think we looked like at age 2 and age 80 and now. We also did blind drawing of our hands a very powerful exercise.

On saturday evening we closed with the traditional puja and some of the mothers of the parents of reflexology, we all gave our feet a lovely massage.

The young people that regularly come to the family events at Amaravati ran the morning puja on Sunday, which including a illuminating question and answer session offered by them about what it is to be a young Buddhist and what they do over the weekend when they are not attending the things that we offer! They finished off with the Shakyamuni Mantra (you can listen to a version of this here), it left some of the helpers with a few tears in their eyes.

Before the closing session we entered the temple, to finish off with looked at space,silence, movement and noise. The temple was free from sitting cushion and so we wandered around one group listening, one group chanting.

The closing session included a few more monastic to answer so more question and a final drawing exercise of what we got out the weekend some images here.

Here's some more general information about the retreat... its worth reading if you intend to come to a young person retreat

 

 

 

---

---