Wednesday, March 20

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Today, Wednesday, marked the third day of our Mindfulness and Meditation M-Term. We started our morning with a lovely yoga class by our yoga specialist, Dr. Reese. As yesterday marked the beginning of a new season with the Spring Equinox, the theme of this yoga session was balance. Combining relaxation and energizing yoga poses, the start to our morning delicately woke up the group, while still setting a tranquil mood across students. To finish off our morning session, we watched the first half of Mission: Joy (Finding Happiness in Troubled Times), a movie highlighting the friendship of two influential and inspiring spiritual leaders of the world: the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This documentary shows the two discussing their personal journeys as advocates of non-violence, led by their spirituality in Buddhism and Christianity, respectively, and their roles in the battles for self-determination and justice for their native peoples, Black South Africans during Apartheid, and Tibetan Buddhists during the annexation of Tibet by China.


Mission: Joy - Finding Happiness in Troubled Times 



Students as they watch the documentary.

Our afternoon session's main activity was meta stones, otherwise called rock dot painting. Students watched tutorials on how to paint the stones and began practicing on pieces of paper. A variety of different-sized tools were needed to create the different-sized dots, and there was certainly a learning curve for students to make the patterns look good. However, after lots of practice, trial and error, and failed attempts, most students got the hang of the unique form of painting. Students were able to select from a variety of colors and tool sizes, to create the design of their liking. It was extremely relaxing to work on the rocks, and while it was meticulous, we were very proud of our work at the end. 


Selection of paints. 



Students experiment with different patterns, colors, and sizes on paper. 


A student uses her pattern on paper as a reference for her rock. 


The finished works of students. 


Yazzie's rock: so pretty!

   Following, we had a shavasana session, in which students were able to relax some more, recharge, refresh, and recuperate. To end the day, students read our two books, Mindful of Race, by Ruth King and You Belong, by Sebene Selassie, in preparation for the seminar tomorrow. Day 3 of Mindfulness and Meditation was an absolute success, filled with relaxing and rejuvenating activities. 


Cape in deep relaxation during Shavasana. 


Students read and annotate their books to end the day. 















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