Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Sacred Arts day two.... Dali Mama


The first night with monks in the house went well. I was so excited and worried and mom like, I hardly slept at all. I loved Sandy Miller's comment on yesterday's post asking if I was the Dalimama! Exactly how I feel, they feel like my boys. I now know what being a mother of 30 year old males feels like.

I was in the kitchen before 6am getting some breakfast together and making tea and lighting candles, making a sacred space for them. They were up by 7:30, heard the shower, heard the creaking floorboards, and one by one they came downstairs. I left bowls and cups in the cabinet, I like to see what people choose. Every piece they chose was made by my friend and mentor, Barbara McKenzie. This will make Barbara very happy. They both commented that her work had heart, touching their heart as they said this. I can't tell you how much it would mean to Barbara to hear that. Her pieces have a true spirit of the Japanese potter and they do have heart, I know from watching her work all these many years.

As we ate and had tea together at the table this morning,  I tried to speak clearly and slowly so we could have a conversation. Last night I talked too fast, said too much and their heads were nearly spinning around in confusion. I realized what this must have been like for them, and so we slowed way down this morning. Jamphel speaks very good for someone that has had such a limited education in our language, Tashi is more reserved and not speaking yet. They want to learn, and so they shall while they are here. Jamphel has this grammar book with him that the coordinator gave him and he eagerly went upstairs to get it as we practiced words around the kitchen..... stove, knife, bowl, cup, deer, basket, lamp......

I opened the grammar book and it was back to elementary school all over again. My eyes immediately darted out the window and my focus shut down. Let the daydreaming commence. I am beginning to think that I had some serious learning disabilities as a kid, I cannot focus on instruction in the written form when it is not a clear and visual path. I want pictures and simplicity, cut to the chase man!
So I sort of closed the book and decided to find some books that I can teach out of. Just reading the words conjugate the verb to be  gave me the shivers!

We have decided that when they are here we will have English lessons and for this week my purpose in life is clear. Give a quiet and peaceful resting spot to a few of the kindest and most compassionate people on the planet and teach them to speak a few words of English. Life is good, my friends!

8 comments:

oldgreymare said...

I can hear the joy in your words. Wallow in the moments...dip your hands down and into them and then bathe yourself in these days.
How precious a gift you will be able to give and will receive. <3

cookingwithgas said...

Simple is good.
Enjoy your boys.

Brenda Neall said...

Once a Mama, always a Mama ..... I hear joy and peace in your voice.

Tracey Broome said...

oh yeah!

jffollies said...

Happy for you.
Happy for them.
All enjoy.

Sandy Miller said...

Oh Dali....... just the best post. Close the book and feel your way through this amazing journey! Some of us are just not meant to dangle participles........

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks ya'll.
I passed on the lessons to Wesley, after all she is the writer and loves words more than food!

Shannon said...

it's so brain-changing to cross pollinate with other cultures! good for you.