A Chapter Ends
I am no longer going to run the Dharma School at the Rime Center.
I have enjoyed running the children's program at the Rime Center very much. I have met wonderful Buddhist teachers of many traditions (Maezen was my favorite). My association with the Rime Center Dharma School has also helped me become friends with other Buddhist parents.
I've heard that if you want to learn something, try teaching it to someone else. That has been my experience. Teaching in Dharma School has forced me to learn a lot more about Buddhism than I might have otherwise. Planning lessons, reading stories, thinking of new and innovative ways to present teachings; I've had to do these things a great deal and it's really given me a better grasp of Buddhist teachings than I had before I started.
For three years I've been teaching children how to meditate. People that ran this program before me didn't put as much effort into the meditation part as I have. Children CAN sit still and meditate. And some of them actually want to.
I've also been teaching them values. The six perfections: generosity, virtue, patience, diligence, concentration and wisdom, have been my road-map for teaching.
The kids have helped me develop those values in myself too. (especially patience). And a seventh one: Adaptability. I have had to learn to be so adaptable in this position because many things don't go as planned.
SO,
I'm writing this because I am leaving this position.
I have been doing it for three years, which means I've been doing it longer than anyone else has.
It's not because I don't enjoy it. It's not because my time is precious and I don't want to volunteer anymore.
It's because it feels like the right time. It's because I need to get out on a high note, before I get burned out and start to be bad at this. It's because my daughter Nissa has told me she's had as much Buddhist education as she needs. And it's because I've found a replacement that I think will do a better job than I have. I think that's the goal of any leader or manager. To find someone better to take their place.
Her name is Leslie and I wish her the best of luck.
This has been a big part of my life.
What comes next for me?
I'll let you know.