ceremony

This lunch ritual is loosely based on ōryōki, a Zen monastic eating meditation that places an emphasis on service, generosity, and appreciation. It was developed by Noa Jones and Catherine Fordham for the Middle Way School of the Hudson Valley. Shared mealtime is an opportunity to foster a healthy relationship to food, enjoy each other’s company, and create a harmonious environment at the table. Creating a consistent mealtime practice can help children feel more focussed and be more present with their food.

From Middle Way School a lesson from the first thematic unit of the year, Taking Your Seat, students walk the boundary of the campus.

This activity, developed at the Middle Way School, guides students in the practice of offering in a fun and engaging way. Students learn about tea service and making offerings as a way to show respect, which can enhance the student-teacher relationship. The lesson builds an understanding of awareness, lineage, reciprocity, gratitude, and simple acts of kindness.