In this nourishing article, Teen Programme volunteer Géraldine M shares about her summer adventure—stepping into a garden of amazing encounters, joyful transformation, and beautifully blooming flowers.
Let it go
“Welcome to Plum Village, would you like to leave your phone in the freedom box?” First things first. Teens were invited to practice letting go by giving away their smartphone for a week. It’s not an easy step for a teenager to take, but they were all brave enough to step into a mobile phone free zone, giving themselves space and time to experience human connection with new friends from all over the world and, more importantly, to reconnect with themselves.
The blooming of a flower
Spending your holiday in a Buddhist monastery that teaches mindfulness might not seem like the ideal destination for a teenager. I remember one girl on the first day looking down, not making much eye contact and not smiling much. That’s where the magic of connection comes in. A teenage friend who’d been in Plum Village since she was a child, showed her around. There was deep sharing and listening on hay bales, and lots of laughter. The power of friendship. The teenager became more and more open to the practices proposed by the sisters and volunteers.
I remember that she was reluctant to do the morning sitting, which is quite early. But she came for the special outdoor one, the sunrise meditation on the hill. A bunch of sleepy heads sitting on yoga mats, witnessing a true miracle of life. The light of the morning sun touching every part of nature, magnifying everything with unity. This was mindfulness, the mindfulness of the sun that could touch beauty here and now. And the teenagers touched it. It was one of their favorite moments of the week. There was togetherness, simplicity, presence, silence, beauty, light, safety, love, and true peace.
This teenager, her head down on the first day, blossomed like a flower throughout the week, with a wonderful blooming smile.
She shared with teary eyes and open heart in the final sharing circle, “I initially didn’t want to be here, but now I don’t want to leave. I feel safe to be myself here. I am so grateful for this week.’’
Intergenerational healing
The practice of Beginning Anew was one of the highlights of the retreat for me. A circle embracing and reconciling two generations, the guidance of the sisters, and the power of the bell. I witnessed parents and young people expressing gratitude through the practice of watering flowers and expressing regret with so much love for each other. Along with the vibration of the bell, you could feel the vibration of love in everyone’s body. The powerful collective energy of everyone listening deeply, even though at times we couldn’t understand their language, brought tears rolling down everyone’s faces. Tears of hope, of love, of joy.
To have the space to express with words frees the heart. To receive words from the heart frees one from doubts and opens wide beautiful flowers of the heart.
I remember the father who read his letter to his daughter, unable to look her in the eye, trembling as he held the paper in his hand. I remember the depth of the teenager’s look at her father, the tears. And the shield that fell for both of them. I remember vividly their embrace of reconciliation, breathing together, heart to heart. The parents quietly and deeply listening to their child’s heart. Healing tears watering the roots of understanding and love.
A collective healing practice for parents and teenagers and all the witnesses in the circle. Thank you, dear teens, for your trust. I still wear your friendship bracelet and remember to practice self love and acceptance for my inner teen and all my descendants.
Bloom, Teen Flowers: A poem for teens and inner teens
Breathe in and out, dear teenager,
Daily water your inner beauty,
For you are a wonderful flower
Blooming in the garden of humanity.
Resources
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