Class Notes Day 1, Sun 2/4/24 - Introductions

"Just when you think you know exactly how it's going, some unexpected possibility shows up and it begins to get even better."


I wasn't nearly as nervous as I thought I'd be. My familiarity with the teacher and the program, plus a couple days to become familiar with Mimpi helped. 

So, stats.

Ellen, our teacher, has 6 assistants playing various roles. Three happen to be male, and three female. 

I estimate that we have about 25 students of which seven are male.

Amazingly, I'm not the only one with silver hair on the student side of this equation. There are two others, both from America. Both male. One brought his wife, and although she sat in on the class, I don't think she's actually a student. Just a supportive wife. 

I think six countries are represented. The majority are from China. The rest are from Japan, Indonesia, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, and the continental US. 

It's a room full of various languages, so a few sentences are spoken at a time, then the interpreters help out the non-English speakers. It adds to the calmness of this whole experience, actually. 

Some of the students are bodyworkers, some aren't. Some already have some level of understanding/experience with Esalen style massage, others don't. 

Nobody seemed particularly uncomfortable. It will be a very interesting month with such a mix of cultures and languages. 

Our classroom is a large building with no walls and a beautiful, woven roof. The pictures in the earliest blogs are accurate as to what the space looks like. 

The class experience - 

We sat in a very large circle, most folks on meditation cushions and a few of us on large, inflated balls. First, the six assistants introduced themselves. Ellen followed them. Then we went around the room telling the group who we were, where we came from, and what our connection was to this course and to Bali. Of course, with interpretations going on, it was a slow process, although interesting to observe. That took nearly the entire hour and a half. 

Before we headed to supper, we were each given a cloth bag full of goodies - the same in every bag. We received a set of 3 bowls made from coconut shells, as well as a bamboo knife, fork, and spoon. In addition, we received a bamboo straw, two bamboo drinking glasses, and a couple cloth napkins. We are required to take and use them whenever we eat at the restaurant, then wash them ourselves. If we don't bring them, we don't get to eat. It's all about sustainability and the environment and not wasting resources. 

Our instructions were to go to dinner and get to know each other, making sure to take our eating utensils with us. Tomorrow morning, class begins sharply at seven. 

Dinner was a nice buffet. Mimpi then welcomed us with traditional Balinese dances. Conversation over our meal was interesting, and I'm looking forward to a full day of school tomorrow. 

Bedtime. Goodnight

Waktu tidur. Selamat malam.

Comments

  1. GregoryFebruary 4, 2024 at 2:49 PM

    Take care and know that I am TOY. Sounds like your transformation is exciting and refreshing.

    ReplyDelete

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