Loose Leaf Notes

David Frost was born at the Kench Hill Centre where the 2018 Inward Bound Mindfulness (iBme) UK teen retreat took place.  I’ve been told that the main house was once a hospital.  These days, it’s a venue for events – such as weddings and family reunions – and is an educational center focused on environmental awareness and exposing city kids to nature.

In many ways, it’s like an old farmhouse B&B in the English countryside.  There are apple trees, ponds, vegetable and flower gardens and green places to stroll. From August 18 to 23 there were also lots of young people there, learning contemplative mindfulness practices, playing games and building a community of trust and sharing.

The Kench Hill Centre in Kent, England, near the town of Tenderten was the last leg of Joe’s and my European vacation.  It was the impetus for the trip, since Joe, an iBme co-founder, was scheduled as one of the teachers.

I had planned to unwind, read and walk during the six-day retreat while he was doing what he does best, but I also participated, feeling part of the community and taking pictures that were shown as a slideshow at the Community Share night celebration.

Along with the mindfulness program, teens and mentors took a guided walk in the woods, had a tea ceremony, participated in a drumming workshop, listened to wisdom talks by the teachers and shared noble silence together.

There was yoga, guided loving kindness meditations, walking meditations, wholesome food served throughout the day and regular small group discussions that deepened the support and caring the group members felt for each other.

I was impressed with how bright and full of spirit the teens were, sixteen of them from all over the UK, and from Ireland, Italy and America. They wanted to learn and freely interacted with each other and with the adults present. They learned to listen to each other, to see more deeply and let themselves be seen and heard. The atmosphere was one of acceptance, inclusion and curiosity.  The food was wholesome and much of it was from the Kench Hill gardens.

It was sixteen-year-old Becca’s second iBme teen retreat.  She came to find more peace within herself.  “Through the wisdom talks, small groups and sitting in meditation, it became clear to me that everyone has more issues than you think, and with my own issues, I’ve learned to respect them as problems, but I also understand that they can create a better-ness for me and an ability to empathize with others.”

16-year-old Emily spoke about the insight she gained at the retreat, saying, “My nature doesn’t change. Who I want to be has always been there.  It’s just coming back to that.”

Most of the teens cited “the people” as a highlight of the retreat.  “It’s not just for mindfulness. It’s for bonding, making new friends, expression and emotions, bonding with nature, having fun and laughing.  I feel much more relaxed now,” said 16-year-old Luke, who also spoke of how important breaking up into daily small groups was for him and how they provided a feeling acceptance and support.

Fifteen-year-old Megan said the drumming workshop was a highlight for her. She described it as “liberating.”  She recalled another highlight, when some teens discovered an abandoned newborn critter in the brambles, and the community came together to care for it.  They named it Pup.

The retreat culminated in a Community Share Celebration where mentors and teens entertained each other with musical performances, inventive skits, comedy, poetry and more.  There was a dance party, followed by a community gathering around a bonfire as the retreat wound down.

But that wasn’t all.  On the final day, the group sat in a circle and collectively held a red thread, signifying their connection to each other. After the thread was cut into pieces in a representation of their return to separate lives, they each tied four knots symbolizing their own goodness, their sense of belonging and support from the community, and also their future intentions. With the knots in place, they helped each other tie the threads on each other’s wrists.

There was also a gratitude ceremony in which each member of the community had an opportunity to express appreciations and speak from their heart before sending off their words with the ring of a bell.   “I’ve never had so many people be so kind to me,” said sixteen-year-old Lia.

“I’ve made very strong connections here,” shared Pauric.  Cosimo summed up the experience, saying, “I’ve learned so much from every single one of you. I can’t wait to be back!”

Below is the slideshow. Visit iBme Uk’s webpage HERE or on Facebook for more information.