“When watching after yourself, you watch after others. When watching after others, you watch after yourself.”
SN 47.19
The word “calligraphy” consists of the Greek words kalli, meaning “beautiful,” and graphein, meaning “to write.” Calligraphy is writing that has been practiced to a high degree of skillfulness and created with great mindfulness, so that the result is a beautiful work of art.
Because of the precise and skillful hand movements needed to use this pen, calligraphy is an excellent practice for developing mindfulness.
Senior citizens proudly displaying their calligraphy works.
Zentangle, in simple terms, is meditative drawing. While the process may look intricate, it is a deceptively simple pathway to relaxation and inner focus.
Proponents of Zentangle practice note that it has multiple benefits including calming an anxious mind, increasing self-confidence, and cultivating moment-to-moment awareness in a similar way as mindfulness meditation.
The works of our Zentangle workshop participants.
Mindfulness meditation and Mental Health
Course:
Introduction to mindfulness meditation
To help the staff and volunteers at Geylang East Home for the Aged serve the beneficiaries better, DDMA organized a 6 weeks mindfulness course to introduce to the staff and volunteers at GEHA the practice of mindfulness in everyday life, staying calm and present when working with challenging casework, and how to practice self-care through a simple yet structured approach to support their well being.
The first run of the course was held from 15 Aug till 19 Sept 2022.
The recent run of the course began on 1 Nov and ended on 6 Dec 2022.
Seated meditation: Partcipants learn to perform a mindful body scan and breath meditation to calm the body and mind
Standing meditation - learning a new way to stand in an alert yet relaxed manner
Moving meditation helps with greater mind-body connection which helps with the development of mindfulness in everyday life
Savasana is a pose of total relaxation — allowing one to quickly recharge and rejuvenate oneself
Building on the success of our mindfulness courses in 2022, DDMA has organized mindfulness sessions for 2023 at the Geylang East Home For The Aged (GEHA) specially for its volunteers and staff.
We strive to offer a variety of indoor and outdoor settings to meet everyone's preferences.
Moving meditation helps with greater mind-body connection which helps with the development of mindfulness in everyday life
Seated meditation: Participants learn to perform a mindful body scan and breath meditation to calm the body and mind
During the journey, we can have Q&A or sharing sessions to learn something new.
Savasana is a pose of total relaxation — allowing one to quickly recharge and rejuvenate oneself
Standing meditation - learning a new way to stand in an alert yet relaxed manner
Pretend to hold a ball and slowly rotate it 360 degrees to relax all the muscles in the body.
We conducted a Meditation course in Boon Lay in two languages from 12 April to 17 May. About 19 participants benefitted from it. Below are the pictures taken.
What do the participants have to say?
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The program is non-religious and very suitable for anyone who wish to achieve more calmness in life.
Jon S
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Though it was my first time in attending and practising meditation 🧘♀️, I found, under your guidance, clear instructions and patience, I have a better understanding of how to go into short sessions. Besides that I am already benefitting from the 'walking meditation' and the correct sleeping positions. I am very grateful for all your time and efforts to help us understand our body and mind.
Mdm Tan
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I recommend this learning to people who are stressed.
J
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这次的课程，让我身心放松了许多。非常感谢老师抽出宝贵的的时间让我们受用不少。
陈俞每, 67 years old
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I learnt how to relax, be patient and let go.
Michelle Poh
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After the course, I am able to relax and have peace of mind after meditation.
Susan Lim, 76 years old
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让我最受用的学习是如何清楚放松地入眠。我觉得这个活动非常有意义，可以推广给其他人。我觉得老师教得很清楚，很细心。
Chu Chin, 76 years old
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This course has given me a better understanding of techniques of relaxation. I am able to experience it myself and hopefully help my clients experience the same. The instructor and course are awesome! Thank you!
Edward, 53 years old
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I learnt how to relax, and I am able to sleep better now.
Joan Lim, 69 years old
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I am now able to calm down and meditate.
Christine Lee, 66 years old
“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson