The Kids

Every time I teach at RAHS (Ridgefield Alt. High School) I wonder if the trekking back and forth for the volunteer 45 min class is worth it to them and me. Just a curiosity as different advisers have different ideas about where placing your energy is most important.

There was a new girl in the school yesterday and she was givin' me the "prove it" eye. The rest of the students know the drill and they do enjoy that I'm there for whatever reason. I called the students together and asked them to please stand up, the new girl only joining when she noticed she was the only one resisting to at least stand with the group. (some of the students will humor me by standing with the group for the gym credit they get, but then that's as far as the intent goes - it gives me a laugh 'cause I did that when I was in the Alt. school).

So I lead them through some easy stretching, using the ones I've learned that yield the greatest oohs and aahhs from any crowd. This girl is still half assin' it not really believing in any of the usefulness - can't say I blame her, the important part of our practice is to experience otherwise who are you opening yourself for?. She is at least brazen enough to question the value of dahn jon tapping and some of the other stretching.

This class the students are requesting some meditation, most of them use the time to sleep - but our practice is about relaxation and if you're sleeping, you're relaxed. So I lead them into breathing - feeling their chest. slowly expanding the awareness to the arms and eventually down to the palms and back to the lower abdomen. After about 5-10 minutes of guiding the children's breathing and mindfulness of its presence and movement I have them raise there palms off their knees for Ji-Gam. There are only about 5 kids, new girl included cause she wants to see what I got, that are sitting at this point (the rest are resting there eyes and body). Slowly bringing their hands together to feel the energy. Her hands closed the gap to about an inch her eyes lit up as she felt the unbelievable. Her back straightened as she continued playing in disbelief, she checked eye contact and I reassured that was it, her energy, that she felt. Back and forth and expanding and contracting she felt her Ki Energy with delight.

We all stayed in Ji-Gam for a few more moments and then I led them back out of meditation and we concluded our session. The faces on those who focused were brighter and even those who just join in a peripheral way walked away a little lighter. It takes time for the jaded to trust and I respect that. It was watching her eyes light up that reminded me that my 45 minutes is worth it to me to see wonderment born.