Heat. Sweat. Aimless people in red or green or blue. Khaki. Meditation. Marching. Hearing that marching is meditation. Mexican feast. THUNDER. Drums and chanting. Not sleeping. Not caring. Caring too much. Dathun. Flowery dathun people. Loud kasung. Humid tents. Encouraging moon. Lightening lullabye.
It seems difficult to remember a time before Dathun. Sitting, patiently or not so patiently, in Shrine Hall Ah, right in the center of DCL, they provide a constant reminder of space. Their presence has a profound effect on the atmosphere. In contrast to the exuberant, sharp nowness of Warriors Assembly, Dathun bring a subtle openness, without promise or compromise. Sometimes, sitting on the rose porch sipping coffee and nursing my internal dialogue, I feel jealous of them. I want to join them. Other times I am glad to be able to go down to the river and lie in the shade when it gets too hot.
As part of the Kado (the “way of flowers”) portion of the Dathun, Marcia Shibata gave a talk open to the DCL community about art in everyday life, with an exquisite demonstration of flower arranging.
Simultaneous with Dathun we hosted the two-week Maitri Space Awareness program, in which participants explore the energy of different emotions through work with meditation and specific colors and postures. Participants could be spotted wandering around the DCL grounds wearing a different color each day.
After the Maitri program, the Dorje Kasung arrived for the first ever Magyel Pomra Encampment at DCL. Situated in the field on the other side of the “lake” (it’s a pond, really), Encampment is a two-week intensive training program for Kasung, in which participants live simply with the elements and train with military forms. From the 6:30 am wakeup music to the shouts of calisthenics and drill commands, encampment makes itself heard all through DCL.
A glorious meeting of the silence of Dathun and the loudness of Encampment occurred on Tuesday night. Early in the evening Dominic Watson-Wall, the DCL Rusung, gave a talk to the dathunees and DCL staff about Kasungship. The talk was well received, and sparked many questions and discussions. Later, under the cover of darkness, the Dathun and DCL staff banded together to raid the Encampment. Walking slowly and silently in meditation mudra, carry roses to symbolize our peaceful intentions, we processed onto the parade ground and presented our flowers as a symbolic offering to the symbolic Sakyong. We were well received by the Kasung, who presented us with an offering of drink and drill practice in return. Parade grounds lit only by the stars and moon, this was a first taste of Kasungship for many of the raiders. After drill we stood in formation for a long time, silently appreciating the sharpness of our senses and the experience of being together. Even for those who have no interest in being Kasung, the heart of encampment practice was transmitted.
Level 2 of the Way of Shambhala was offered this past week for the staff. Taught by Tessa Racine, it was an excellent continuation of the success of Level 1. Says summer volunteer Sarita McNeil , “Level 2 kicked my ass”.
This is the height of the summer season at DCL. There is a sense of forward motion and delight, with always three or four programs happening simultaneously. Some days are unbearable humid—there is nothing to be done but sit and sweat. But dramatic thunderstorms clear the air, bringing coolness and rain.
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