My most significant achievement in two years of Mansion Meditation Class happened today. Susan Meditated.
When the class started, Susan, a newcomer to the Mansion, said she wanted to attend my meditation class but didn’t want to meditate. She hated sitting still, she said, and she hated silence. She said she was afraid to look too deep inside herself and didn’t know the point of it. She never wavered or suggested she would join in.
In my classes, I read (Maria came and read some poems today), and then we meditated for between 6 and 10 minutes. Halfway through, I opened my eyes to see how everyone was doing. At first, the residents would be drawing, sleeping, or looking restless and uncomfortable.
Still, they always came. Week by week, one after the other, would close their eyes and, in silence, look into their souls.
Susan didn’t like it, but she always came. Usually, she would draw while we meditated.
“I guess I’ve changed a little,” she said, smiling shyly.
Today, I opened my eyes and was shocked to see Susan with her eyes closed, deep in silent meditation. I asked if I could take her picture, and she nodded yes. I was thrilled. They were listening, and as I looked across the room, everyone in the class except Jane from Memory Car had their heads down and their eyes closed. I congratulated Susan, and she looked pleased. She said she liked it. I wanted to cry.
They were listening and meditating, which meant a lot to them. Susan’s closed eyes and deep thought made it all worthwhile. I’m too close to it to know if it is helping them; today, I saw clearly that it is. That feels beautiful. Maria came with me today, she had some beautiful poems to read. Zinnia kissed everyone.
As always, we talked about real life; this is as important to me as it is to them. We talked about the value of silence. We talked about how to be civil to people we don’t like. We talked about what spirituality means to them.
Sharon, the poet and one of my favorite residents, told me she was leaving the Mansion. She now needs more medical care than the Mansion can provide. That was a sad moment for me, and I know it for her. Sharon is a published poet who has been writing and publishing poems all her life. I will miss her greatly. Maria gave her a book of poems from Rumi, whose poems she was reading. Above, Claudia showed me her drawing.
Rachel was enthusiastic about meditating from the beginning. She says it calms and grounds here.
Jane lives in Memory Care and continues to draw during our meditation work. She comes every week and says it is always important to her.
Claudia loves to listen to Maria’s poetry reading. She has always attended a meditation class and meditates every morning before breakfast.
Ellen lives in Memory Care and has always attended a meditation class. Most of the time, she draws. Today, she meditated. It was a great day in Meditation Class.
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Some of you have asked me what’s going on with the Mansion. The truth is, I have no idea. Last year, a New York company that runs nine or ten elder facilities purchased the mansion. I’ve never seen or heard from the new owners, and they have yet to take any steps to change the Mansion, which is struggling to hire aides and staffers. I don’t know anyone from the new owner’s company who has spoken with anyone at the Mansion beyond a staff meeting held months ago.
The new owners told the staff everything would stay the same for at least a year.
I love my class and work and will continue to help get the residents clothes, blankets, books, and any other assistance I can. I am buying a lot of art supplies at the moment. Eventually, the new owners will show up and explain their plans.
The mansion work is critical to me; I’ve volunteered there for ten years. Although many people have left, I’m still hanging out there.
Donations are welcome. From Paypal, [email protected], from Venmo, Jon Katz@Jon Katz-13, or by mail Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
In March, I spent $800 to purchase art supplies, sneakers, blankets, and books, and $1,000 for new tablecloths on each of the Mansion’s 12 dining room tables. I also do regular therapy visits with Zinnia, and there is no cost to that. Thanks to your support, it is necessary.
