Today was the last meeting of the Mansion Meditation Class that I have been teaching for several years now.
We have all come a long way. The first members used to fall asleep when I talked about meditation, now they are wide awake and urging me to meditate for longer periods. They have found that it helps to center and calm them. Life in the Mansion, like life almost anywhere, is not simple.
I read from Henri Nouwen’s Spiritual Direction: Wisdom For The Long Walk Of Faith:
“The first and most essential spiritual practice that any spiritual director must pursue,” wrote Nouwen, “is the discipline of the Heart. Introspection and contemplative prayer are the ancient disciplines by which we begin to see God in our hearts. Interior prayer is a careful attentiveness to the spirit that dwells in the center of our being.”
I focus on spirituality, not just God, but the residents are religious, and I honor that.
We did a lot of relaxing and meditating today. We were laughing almost to the beginning. I told Rachel she couldn’t have lunch unless she meditated, and we all cracked up. She meditated and went to lunch.
Maria came along today and helped the residents finish their artwork, and she read several beautiful poems from Mary Oliver. This class has become very important to me. Zinnia shines as a therapy dog at the Mansion; she’s been coming here since she was a small pup.
The people in the class love Maria, and I love it when she comes along. We work very well together. Her art class is always jammed and happy.
She knows them all well and feels safe and at ease there.
The residents adore her, and some rub her belly with their feet as she lies on her back beneath the table and practically purrs with delight.
There was a lot of laughing and goodwill. We trust one another and listen to one another.
Maria and I are returning to the Mansion on Christmas day to say hello to the residents who have no families or who can’t get to see them. This class has become a discipline of the Heart. Nouwen would be pleased. I am grateful. I decided to do a little photo spread, which tells a lot about the class.
I joke and kid a lot and poke fun at myself. Nothing makes them happier to poke fun at me. I always bring them stories of the farm, and they love to hear them. The class is coming to the farm this Spring as soon as it gets warm. Then, we do breathing lessons and meditation.
There is so much warmth and good feeling in that room. Come and see for yourself.
Zinnia greets everyone in the class, one by one, and she goes to sleep under the table when she’s finished. She makes a point of seeing Robbin, one of the Mansion’s aides.
Maria tells stories about living with me and life on the farm. The residents eat it up. They are fascinated by my relationship with Zip.
We welcomed Betty to the class today; she’s a newcomer to the Mansion and wants to join the Meditation group. We are happy to have her there.
Art is one of the residents who must be accompanied everywhere he goes in the Mansion. Maria offered to walk him to lunch, and he put his arm around hers like I sometimes do. She and Zinnia (followed by me) walked him to the dining room. He is the sweetest man. I brought him two new car magazines to read.
Ellen asked Maria for help with her drawing. Maria is pleased to be obliged. The two of them were laughing like sisters.
Maria talked about her art and the different ways to draw. They were hungry to hear about it.
I miss the class very much when I can’t get there. We’ll see most of them on Christmas day. Ellen wants to do some Christmas meditating; Nancy wants to join us.
Zinnia sleeps next to my shoes when I start giving my meditation instructions. I don’t take it seriously. She is a beautiful dog. She does a lot of good in the world.
When I go to my class, Zinnia runs ahead of me and rushes into the Activity Room. I can hear the claps and squeals of joy and laughter pouring out of the room.
Like a chorus, I hear the words “Zinnia is here,, Zinnia!,” all the way down the hall. Sometimes, they even yell hello to me.
I love the sound.
