Practising Joyfully Together!
By Sister Lainee Wong of Buddhist Gem Fellowship
Everything began with an intention. Why do I want to organize a Family Retreat based on Mindfulness teachings?
"After the mindfulness retreat by the disciples of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh at Chempaka Buddhist Lodge in 2006, I had a taste of the gentle mindfulness activities and found them relevant to all. Which made me think of how these can be practiced together in an environment that will include our children. I have yet to participate in any Family Dhamma Camps as I don't think it has been organized before in Malaysia. I can visualize it being a very positive move. Therefore, giving birth to the idea of having a Family Retreat where families can go there and practice together. Plum Village is a very good example."
The above was explained in my first proposal submission to Plum Village Sangha in end 2006 to invite them to come and conduct a family retreat based on the mindfulness teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. The recently concluded "Joyfully Together retreat" at Chin Swee Temple in Genting Highlands was, I would say the first Buddhist Family Camp initiated in Malaysia, by BGF Dhammaduta Committee with the generous help from the Fragrant Palm Sangha (the community in Malaysia who practices the mindfulness teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh).
How did it go? Well, the location was a cool place, setting the tone for all to be "warm" and cosy as the two monks (whom we address as "Brothers") and two nuns (as "Sisters") led us to coming back to our "breath" in many ways during the four days at Chin Swee temple. There were altogether 15 families, many couples and adults that made up 92 of us. The program, as promised, was relaxed and fun, with many pockets of time for exercises, rest, sittings, dhamma discussions and interjected with lots of singing! Yes, we were all singing simple but melodious hymns from Plum Village, with much joy and ease. The Brothers and Sisters were always encouraging us, children and adults to sing together and all of us enjoyed these sessions. That's what being in the present was about - immersed in singing with joy and peace.
Much so that even until today, my children and I will just spontaneously sing the hymns and we feel very good doing something together. After the retreat, Sis. Ching Yee, one of the participants informed, "My family and I enjoyed and learned so much from this retreat. We have not attended a retreat which had us singing so many nice and simple Buddhist hymns before! As the hymns are so simple and easy to memorize, until now, we still sing the hymns as and when we are together. This will help our family members to be closer to each other."
Majority looked forward to the mindfulness stick movements sessions conducted each day at the open, breathtaking space at the Sky Terrace. These exercises done with a long stick and following the in and out breath totally energized and "contorted" our physical bodies!
We also had "total relaxation" sessions where we all lied down and simply followed instructions to relax every single part of our bodies. We were even serenaded with "live singing" by the brothers and sisters! As Brother Phap Kham remarked in one of the Dhamma talks, "People are surprised that the retreat can be so relaxed. It is when you are relaxed, happy and rested, you can absorb more and practicing becomes easy". Much so, a participant, during one of our dhamma discussions said, "This is more like a holiday than a retreat! I feel so relaxed".
We also held a space for a few couples and families to "begin anew". The practice of "Beginning Anew", which helps us develop our kind speech and compassionate listening, was explained with much kindness by Sister Hoa Nghiem. One participant feedback at the end of the retreat that it was very meaningful to her and her five kids as each of them asked for the "flower watering" session to be held for each of them!
While the adults are having their relaxing experiences, the children were totally having fun! A separate program was created spontaneously for them by volunteers from the Fragrant Palm Sangha, guided by Brother Phap Tinh and Sister Dan Nghiem. Through introducing simple day to day activities such as "eating cookies and fruits", children learned in a fun way how to fully be "present' to enjoy their foods! They practiced "inviting and sounding the bell", "pebble" meditation and singing "mindfulness and nature" songs. To have your child at the end of the day, before sleeping, telling you what happens when you breathe in (the abdomen rises) and breathe out (the abdomen falls), just made me feel very glad and grateful to these teachers. They were also preparing them to receive the The Three Jewels and commit to the "Two Promises". Yes, children were asked if they were willing to vow to 1) develop understanding and 2) develop compassion in order to protect the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals.
On the final day in the early morning, the Plum Village Sangha conducted the transmission ceremony for the Five Mindfulness Trainings (for adults who wish to take up the commitment to the trainings) and the Two Promises (for children who wish to practise them). Many were inspired to commit formally through the ceremony to practise the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Watching the young children recite the "Two Promises" sincerely was to me very touching and I was filled with hope. Seeing seeds planted with commitment is truly a joy to behold.
Some who committed to the Five Mindfulness Trainings are also diligently doing their best in their daily life. Sister Ee Leng, who was one of them feedback, "These days I try to eat more vegetables and less meat and focus more on my breathing whenever I have time! I also try to keep the 5 precepts as I took the vow but sometimes it's quite hard especially when mosquitoes are trying to bite you!
Well, not only seeds were planted in the children but the adults also have their fair share of growing their garden!
Although the retreat was filled with families, we also had many individuals who also just enjoyed the teachings, singing and mindfulness activities as well as the "togetherness" at Chin Swee. Many are asking for the next camp, maybe by the beach or forest? Well, everything begins with an intention.
Sis. Lainee and her son
