Regaining sanity one stitch at a time.

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  • ctpowers8
    Member
    • Mar 2011
    • 33

    Regaining sanity one stitch at a time.

    Regaining sanity one stitch at a time. This is the name of a group I just opened up yesterday for stitching practice. I had multiple consumers show up and it was amazing. As some of you know I have been incapacitated for some time and my main practice has been sewing. I thought I would share the benefits I got from this to consumers and I saw amazing results. Since this is not a buddhist class we did not sew anything like a rakusu or a kesa but I just had them do back stitches on lines I had put on some fabric. Normally groups are rowdy but once they started even those going through mania seemed to very focused on this simple task. I had one girl with severe schizophrenia who cant draw a straight line who had the best stitches and no outburst which is miraculous. I was nervous still being a little sick and this being my first day back but it turned out great. My friend Nick who is a Chan buddhist monk told me that the practice sounded great as long as I don't turn them into a mental health sweat shop. I just thought I would share.
    Gasho
    Chris
  • Jundo
    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
    • Apr 2006
    • 40311

    #2
    Re: Regaining sanity one stitch at a time.

    Originally posted by ctpowers8
    Regaining sanity one stitch at a time. This is the name of a group I just opened up yesterday for stitching practice. I had multiple consumers show up and it was amazing. As some of you know I have been incapacitated for some time and my main practice has been sewing. I thought I would share the benefits I got from this to consumers and I saw amazing results. Since this is not a buddhist class we did not sew anything like a rakusu or a kesa but I just had them do back stitches on lines I had put on some fabric. Normally groups are rowdy but once they started even those going through mania seemed to very focused on this simple task. I had one girl with severe schizophrenia who cant draw a straight line who had the best stitches and no outburst which is miraculous. I was nervous still being a little sick and this being my first day back but it turned out great. My friend Nick who is a Chan buddhist monk told me that the practice sounded great as long as I don't turn them into a mental health sweat shop. I just thought I would share.
    Gasho
    Chris
    Hi Chris,

    It took me a moment to recall what you mean by "consumers", but then I remembered that your work is this ...

    I am a PHD candidate in Clinical Psychology and I teach Art, Meditation and Depression Groups in our county mental health system.

    I guess that is a term for people undergoing mental health therapy and rehabilitation?

    Sounds to me that sewing could be a lovely and helpful practice for such folks.

    Gassho, Jundo
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

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    • Dosho
      Member
      • Jun 2008
      • 5784

      #3
      Re: Regaining sanity one stitch at a time.

      Chris,

      I cannot fully express how much sewing has helped in my practice, so I think it is a wonderful idea. Good luck with your endeavor and let us know how it goes!

      Gassho,
      Dosho

      Comment

      • Taigu
        Blue Mountain White Clouds Hermitage Priest
        • Aug 2008
        • 2710

        #4
        Re: Regaining sanity one stitch at a time.

        Indeed,

        A great initiative.


        Thank you Chris


        gassho


        Taigu

        Comment

        • Hogo
          Member
          • Feb 2010
          • 497

          #5
          Re: Regaining sanity one stitch at a time.

          Not a bad reminder for those of us who could use some calm as well. It is always a good day to work on my backstitch, and I have yet to make a Rakusu pouch.
          Now where did I put that needle?
          Gassho.

          Comment

          • Stephanie

            #6
            Re: Regaining sanity one stitch at a time.

            Wonderful idea, thanks for sharing

            Gassho!

            Comment

            • murasaki
              Member
              • Mar 2009
              • 473

              #7
              Re: Regaining sanity one stitch at a time.

              This is why I knit and make jewelry. Thank you for sharing it!

              Gassho
              Julia
              "The Girl Dragon Demon", the random Buddhist name generator calls me....you have been warned.

              Feed your good wolf.

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