Community and learning from each other
On Saturday I gave my Buddhist workshop – full as usual, despite no advertising. And as usual the people who attended (all women – where are the men?) were lovely, keen to learn from me and each other, who taught me a lot. There is always a theme that spontaneously develops – and Saturday seemed to be about bereavement. I always feel very energised, a ‘better person’ after doing this workshop.
Ben and I then made our way into ‘The Forest’ (The Forest of Dean) to the sanctuary of Sid and Jools’ magical garden and barn for a get together with members of the Rainbow Community. How lovely to see people again – this summer I only managed one day at the camps because of Alfie-dog’s arrival and Ben’s absence in Australia, but I felt welcome, included, and that is how I felt on Saturday.
We all need community. For much of my life, I have felt ‘alone’ circling around groups of people with whom I have friendships but being very shy of commitment. As I committed to Ben over 5 years ago, and then Alfie-dog in May, I must be getting better. I am a ‘member’ of several communities but the only one in which I feel relaxed is the Rainbow 2000 crowd. There is a wonderful abundance of people who, like me, love the mix of hippy/professional/artistic – in all the forms that this can be expressed and there is a tolerance, a lack of egoism, that I love.
And then there is Jules, the backbone of the community, ever-creating and moving forward. After a late night we sat in the autumn sun in Jules’ magical garden, on Sunday morning, chatting and laughing and feeling happy to be alive.
So now I am back in my office/treatment room hard at my work in terms of promoting Equanalta and getting out there to meet, work with, and improve the lives of people that fate sends to me. From my garden I can see Alfie chewing on the bone I got from the organic butcher yesterday. At 7 months this little border collie is moving towards adolescence and the behaviour that comes with it. He is beautiful.
With love to you. Jackie