Making a Difference - Meditation and Pizza

A community project which is very close to my heart is the Delft Big Band. I have previously written about the Magic in the Music and the group which went to Sweden last year to play at the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child awards ceremony. Since then I have become more involved and we are in the process of formalising the band as a Public Benefit Organisation.

The view from the guest house far away from Delft

For a while I have been planning a team-building day. Most of the interaction that they engage in is during practice or when they are playing gigs. And so Project Me came into being, since the overall aim was for them to get to know themselves – their worries, fears and hopes - and in turn, for us to get to know each other a bit better. On Saturday we had the use of a guesthouse right on the beach – far away from the daily grind of Delft.

They arrived at the guest house eyes popping at “the mansion” and ready to explore. But first, work to be done...They started off a little hesitantly, all shy and giggly but soon warmed up and were sharing hopes and fears, what made them angry, and worries about their futures. We explored using art collages, trust exercises and played games. The poem Lost Generation, had them shaking their heads in agreement and in awe of how effective a mind shift could be.

Lunch was simple pizzas (we were having a braai later) then some more work. We ended the day with a meditation. I had distinct feeling that they were wondering what strange activities I would next be expecting from them as they lay down on the floor but soon everyone was passed out, mouths open, some snoring. Then it was time to chill - the beach beckoned, fires were made, there were marshmallows to toast, music to listen to...

On the evaluation form I got them to fill in, the best things about the day were meditation and pizza...Sometimes you have those days when life just makes sense and the simple things you do make such a difference to someone’s life that you are humbled. 

You may also like Magic in the Music 2 and Magic in  the Music for sure!

Heavenly Massage

I am drifting off far away. Thoughts of a to-do list enter my mind and then float away as if they are getting the message: “do not disturb”. Something heavenly is happening on my forehead – it feels like someone is very gently stroking my hair, soothing my forehead and inviting me into a state of pure bliss.

Before that my body had been rhythmically stroked with warm oil by two pairs of hands, working in perfect synchronisation. Then I had been covered with a towel and a mask placed over my eyes.  A steady stream of warm oil was slowly trickled over my forehead and allowed to run through my hair.

I was being treated to an Abhydara massage, a combination of Abhyanga and Shirodhara. The treatments are part of Ayurvedic treatment. Ayurveda is the 5 000 year-old Indian holistic healing system which literally means “the science of life”. Body, mind and soul are treated to bring about a state of health and wellbeing.

Ayurveda encompasses diet, yoga, meditation and breathing. And then there is the massage...Abhyanga and Shirodhara are just two of the techniques. Abhyanga is designed to release toxins and improve circulation and is done by two people working in together on your body, covering it from toe to head. Shirodhara involves the pouring of a continuous stream of oil on the forehead. It is useful for insomnia, anxiety. It induces a feeling of deep relaxation.

The treatment had started with a short prayer, my feet were bathed and then my head and neck massaged before I was laid down onto the bed for the full body massage. At the end of the treatment, I was invited to “take steam”. This was followed by a shower using a mixture made with chickpea flour to absorb some of the oil. As I patted my skin dry, I felt like I had been massaged inside and out.  

Afterwards, I was left alone to sip my ginger tea and bask in the afterglow of the treatment. I could get used to this...