I developed a class for the seniors that guides them and shares the art of nonduality. It teaches and shares deep concepts about how thoughts are not us, who we are and what is here. I used a guided meditation and stories and poetry from Shakespear, Rumi, Walt Whitman and others. We talk about the beach, the ocean, love, relationship and our true nature.
So far the results?
I am teaching at about four or five locations. Some are getting it others are not. I think is a ripening type of thing. They have to be ripe and ready and looking. Most of them are not as most people not even aware that a presence exists. Perhaps they have looked at peace as some form of relaxation or spiritual practice that only offers a short experience. This class is similar to teaching what its like to scuba dive to a group of people that have never seen the ocean or a pool for that matter.
I have seen people just walk out as soon as I start a meditation. Or turn away with the mere mention of it. Most people don't want to stop and feel. More so, most don't want to step into something they are not aware of that erases what they know.
For most of them, all they know is pain and suffering. You can see it in their eyes their bodies.
I bring this to them to hopefully offer just a small place to find some hope, peace and see their situation differently. That is my hope.
I have had success with a few places and deep talks and acceptance as some of the residents said the talks have been enriching. I have also had what I consider challenges.
One place was very excited to have the class so they scheduled two classes. One class was for independent living, the other for an assisted living. The assisted living class was small and I watched most of the residents looking at the watches the whole time. I asked them if they had to be somewhere? They said yes, Happy Hour starts in ten minutes.
The other group was independent. This group liked the class a great deal, however, there was one older gentleman who seemed to run the group. He showed up like the alpha male challenged everything I had to say.(walked in late too, uuug) I was told later he did not like the class so it would not continue.
Dementia
Sometimes the dementia residents speak in such a direct way , i sense they really understand and feel the nondual presence, but then cant talk about it too much as their minds may be unable to carry on a talk more about the topic.
Success
I am having success with more places than I am not having success. (often i am aware what is a success really? there are no measurement systems here) Even if they only "get it" for the short while its a joy to experience. Yesterday I had a lady show up who was a minister in her church, she was closed off to anything I had to say. Until I said something, don't remember what and suddenly I could see with her body language and face that she was getting it. Inside I could also see that all the bunk she had been practicing in her religion faded out to see as this pure truth opened clearly here and now. That was a nice subtle experience.
Conclusion
The residents are like most people, this message is not for anyone. It pulls them out of their story, out of what they know. Most times what they know is pain and they are comforted with what they know.
Photo by Cristian Newman on Unsplash