Weekly Guiding Teacher Reflection

Dear Common Ground Friends,

Many kids and families make a big transition this time of year as children head back to school and settle into new routines. At Common Ground, we are also beginning again. Our program for children and preteens starts this Sunday, and our teen program begins next Sunday. A big thank you to our youth program leaders for making these important programs for families happen again this year. These programs offer children and teens a place to learn, ask questions, build friendships, and explore what it means to live with care and kindness in community. There is something meaningful about having a place where young people can practice being together, finding their way through differences, and learning how their words and actions affect one another.

I am reminded at this time of year of the Buddha’s teachings on wise speech. The Buddha understood that how we speak to one another matters, and he encouraged us to develop care and restraint around our words. In fact, he gave his son Rahula teachings about wise speech when Rahula was just seven years old. The Buddha encouraged him to pause and consider the consequences of what he was about to say or do, asking whether it would cause harm. This is a simple practice, but not always an easy one. Families can practice this together by slowing down after a difficult moment and wondering, What happened? What did we say? How did our words affect one another? We can practice listening without immediately correcting or defending ourselves, and we can make room for the possibility of beginning again when our words have caused harm. These are practices that belong to all of us, whatever our age. As another school year begins, we can remember that learning to live wisely with one another is something we continue to practice throughout our lives.
Wishing Common Ground families a smooth transition into the school year and all of us a year of enlivening practice as we learn to talk and listen with care.

Peace,
Shelly Graf
Co-Guiding Teacher