~To Work and Play the Day Away~

There is a community here, called Triform, where youth, adults, and families work along side special-needs people 18 and up.  They describe themselves this way:

Triform Camphill Community is a rural, residential, therapeutic community serving young adults with special needs.  Triform seeks to build a vital community life that provides each young resident the possibility for healing, self-development and fulfillment of his or her potential.

I visited them just recently for a morning garden group followed by a community meal, and then later on in the week for a tour of all that goes on at Triform.  The idea is that our summer camp will visit Triform for a morning work group and a communal meal, to facilitate exposure between adolescents and special-needs groups.

What I found there was truly beautiful.  Yes, the land and spaces are beautiful; but I am speaking here about the special-needs people themselves, and the houseparents that are so committed to them.  As I entered the gathering hall for the monday morning meeting, even in the midst of a song, I saw so many faces turn to meet me, inquiringly, with a sense of wonder.  Immediately I realized that this is the same look/energy I feel from children.  It is a sense of not-knowing, and the discovery that results.  As the meeting progressed, I found myself feeling into this energy, which was very strong.  It was not directed at me per se, but at the experience in general.

When I was invited to introduce myself, I was greeted by many unprompted 'hellos' and 'welcomes', many smiles, and even many questions as to if I was staying for the morning, the meal, or even if I was planning on living there.  It was just such an upfront innocence, with so little self-referencing...the kind of energy I also find in life-long practitioners of self-inquiry and letting go.

Later on, as I worked alongside these very special people in the gardens, I found such a unique, polarized mix of simplicity and complication.  Certainly, it is not easy having these special needs, or trying to meet them.  There is a complexity and challenge in it.  Yet at the same time, it was so much more simple than a typical day in the garden...a real sense of 'just being with'.  Almost a sense of no agenda- though of course, there were many things to get done along a certain schedule.

Lunchtime was more of the same: a strange mix of simplicity and challenge.  Yet throughout all of this was the very palpable energy of unconditional acceptance.  They were ready to meet my gaze and hold it, looking deep into me as them allowed me to look into them.  Really, a very evolved state in many ways.

So here are my pictures from those two days at triform.  Please enjoy, and inquire further if you feel the spark.

in gratitude,

eka