email: dharmaroundtable@nusbs.org.sg
facebook group: NUS Buddhist Society
friendster group: NUS Buddhist Society
forum: www.nusbs.org.sg/forum

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Consolidated Feedback from GL Workshop for Dharma Camp 2009

Participants were asked to rate 1-4 on the whole workshop, the morning Personality Test, and the afternoon Team Building Games activities separately. Their ratings were:

(3+3+2.5+2+3.5+3.5+3+3)/8 = 2.9375

There was a bit of miscommunication between me and Wai Kit because he ended up asking for only an overall rating for the whole day, and he allowed non-integers values!

Qualitative feedback for the best aspect of the workshop:

The best part is the songs, games. Because, other than that it helps us GLs, to know each other, it gives GLs prior knowledge about some of the songs/games; hence GLs can guide/ lead the group members if they’re confused. The workshop taught me how to interact, approach, and communicate with others. Thus, I can bond easily with my group members. It also taught me more about myself and hence I know about myself and can apply it to be friendly with others.

Course allows us to get to know each other well. Workshop is short and not too draggy and overwhelming. Leaders were supportive and friendly. I learnt to be more open and brave to interact with group mates because even if they don’t talk to you much, it doesn’t mean that they dislike you or think you’re silly.

Games (planning and playing the game together as it creates bonding among group leaders and with the seniors).

Personality test, which develops better understanding in interaction with people.

I like the games and the singing. And the personality test is quite useful too.

The game thinking part. This session is quite useful because it forces me to be impromptu. I learnt a lot from this session like how a game should work and how a game can create bonding between all the members.

The songs and games parts. It is the part that makes me feel fun and peace. (Songs give peace when we sing them and games create a fun situation as well as create interaction among participants.)

Songs and games.

Bonding between GLs in advance is great. It helps in providing communication between groups also.

Food Hunt Dry Run. I think contribute a lot to GLs bonding. And the training on the following day reinforces it perfectly, and easier for us to express our opinion.

I do make use of what I learn from brain colours. I have a better understanding on my group members’ personalities.

I think singing songs together and learning the simple action is quite useful in creating the bonding.


Suggestions for improvements

More discussion among GLs (helps to know each other and to communicate with others)

More games/ songs (prior knowledge for GLs)

Maybe more games

Learn more songs

If possible, we can have the training at somewhere in the west of Singapore

There should be more game practices so that GLs can apply them in their groups.

Maybe next GL training can be at the same place for the camp. It will benefit the GLs by knowing the place better.

Game session part should add longer so that every group leader can be involved as a game master because besides being a good group leader, we should also know how to be a good game master. Also maybe can change the venue to somewhere else because travelling so far will cause a lot of time and maybe it can be saved to extend longer timing for the workshop.

During the workshop, there should be more songs taught and focus on how to develop interaction between one group with another group. In addition to the training on how to build interaction among group members in the same GL. So, the missing part is the training on how to build interaction between one group with another group. Overall, the workshop is good.

Sometimes I know I have to use other method to communicate with them, but I don’t know how to do it. So maybe next time can teach us how you normally overcome the problem if some of your members are quiet.

Maybe seniors may share their techniques in making the atmosphere more lively.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

GL Workshop 2009

This year’s timetable will be:
0930am Arrival + Breakfast + linger around
1000am DC1101 - Introduction to Dharma Camp (Kwek)
1015am Who are you? – Icebreaker (Albert)
1100am Who am I? - Personality Test (Cindy): 10 min to do test and tabulate; 10 min instructions; 10 min to discuss moral dilemmas; 20 min to process;
1230pm Makan - Lunch
1315pm D-Box (Sea Ming)
1345pm Workshop: Building a Team (Hidayat)
1550pm Break
1600pm Wrap up: Managing expectations (Kwek)

Icebreaker

Possibilities:
Trust circle!
Human Bingo
Egg -> Chicken Scissors-Paper-Stone
Shout-my-name

Personality Test
Settled.

Team Building
Split into 2 groups, brainstorm for a team building game (or a series of games, as long as within the time frame) to be played for the other group plus facilitators. There are helplines in the centre, which they can ask for help or clues or guides or inspiration. Then everyone will play and then debrief. They will speak a few words and give ideas on how to improve the team-building.

Time limit: 2 hours
10 min Intro and instructions (explaining rationale)
40 min Brainstorm and think of an activity
20 min Execution - Team A
20 min Execute - Team B
30 min Debrief

Materials (They don't know what materials we provide unless they use the Mystery Bad helpline):
Newspaper
Mahjong paper
Straws
Scotch tape /Musking tape/ Double-sided tape, etc.
Ice-cream sticks
String
Markers
CD player
Songs / Game music

Helplines
A. Keywords
B. Pictures
C. Mystery Bag

Issue outstanding: How many clues can they draw?

D-box
Songs in between sessions with a longer after-lunch session and a final session after wrap up.

Wrap up

- Four Immeasurables in team-building
- Moderating expectations (Internal emotions)
- Right action (Middle path, middle choices) and applying Right Speech

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Dharma Friends (DF) Workshop: 20 Sept 2009, 1-4pm

Trainers: Albert, Kwek, CK

There were a total of 20 members (committees and potential DFs) who attended the workshop.

1.00-1.15pm Ice-Breaking
(Albert built rapport with the members by understanding everyone's dharma background, Dharma Circle (DC) and facilitation experience. We had a wonderful group of people with no dharma knowledge, no facilitation experience to experienced DFs)
1.15-1.45pm Who? What?
(Kwek shared on the difference between a facilitator and a speaker. Albert then continued by asking each member, "What makes you attend DC? (one reason)". This was to connect to the objectives of a DF.)
1.45-2.30pm Fight!!!
(Members were then divided into two groups by numbering them "1" and "2". Facilitators were chose randomly. Facilitators were supposed to choose a daily topic to discuss. One group chose "The Happiest Time"; whilst the other group chose "My Angry Period". They were given 20min, each group had 7 ppl and 4 observers. Observers would comment on the facilitators performance and the effectiveness of the discussion.)
2.30-3.00pm How?
(CK shared with the members on some of the common worries DFs had. Albert and Kwek then shared with them some skills, possible group situations and wonderful personnel that a DF may face during DC.)
3.00-3.30pm Fight!!!
(Members continued with another round of trial DC. 3 members from each group were chosen and to be exchanged within the two groups. Again, facilitators were chosen randomly. Facilitators were supposed to choose a Dharma topic to discuss. One group chose "What makes a Buddhist?"; whilst the other group chose "How to repay our parents?". They were given 15min, each group had 7 ppl and 4 observers. Observers would comment on the facilitation skills applied and the Dharma content.)
3.30-3.45pm Dream...
(Members were asked to draw a picture of their PERFECT DF and pen down the qualities which they hope to see during DC. Then, they were asked to put their thoughts on the wonderful group which they hope to have during DC and the wonderful responses which they hope to hear after DC. This activity was to instill positive picture and thoughts to prepare DF for DC.)
3.45-4.00pm Why? Points up & Bonus Points
(Kwek shared the benefits that could be reaped being a DF. Some advice (bonus points) were given to the members. Session ended with a song titled "Reach Out" to encourage these NUSBS Ambassadors continue to reach out and serve the Buddhist community in NUS.)

Feedback:
- Structured
- Beneficial
- Received a lot of knowledge
- Get a lot of tips and tricks being a good DF
- Very good
- Well done
- Today workshop is helpful. I like it.
- It brings all members together.
- Good that it gives an insight of what a DF should be prepared for :)

Point to note (debrief between Kwek and Albert):
- to prepare a slide of your own as both trainers have different delivery style (the
current slide is a combination of Kwek previous slide and Albert's slide)
- ask for comment from all the observers in a group before moving to another group
(during the workshop, trainer asked for comments randomly from group 1 to 2,
confusing)
- time management (workshop exceeded by 15min)

Sunday, June 14, 2009

It's been 4 months....

Wow, the last post was by Sea and it was far back to Feb. I think, we have forgotten this place which we frequented previously, including me. Time flies, i have been working at VWO for close to 7 months, work is hectic. In a few months time, there will be a training scheme arranged for me. This means that i will need to take up short courses as well as a graduate diploma qualification. What to do? To be a Social Worker need license.

At this stage of life, i feel like embarking on a different journey with less emphasis on spearheading dhammaduta work. Spiritual practice will be eminent, but will spend more time to look the world and explore new things. I really wish to explore what Christianity is...fascinating...though from our point of view, it is blinded by the truth, but it has stayed on for so long...there must be some essence in it...

I have decided...a low profile truth seeker to be...

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Long time no see

*brushing off the dust on this blog*

Wow, this place is sure quiet for some time! Probably we are more comfortable with face-to-face connections, together with the FOOD.

I shall start the updates with myself.
I am still on hunt for jobs while working as a Casual Junior Research Assistant (what a fancy name). As the current market does not offer many jobs, I may apply for jobs outside of my field like marketing and communications, public relations-related or anything that I am interested in. I am even considering joining the MOE in teaching.
So if you hear of any openings that may suit me, do let me know. Thank you!

One thing interesting to share is, now I enjoy the chanting sessions in my Sunday School, especially when I am able to play the Dharma instruments. I used to think chanting is boring and tedious, oops!
Surprisingly, it is easier to concentrate when leading the session rather than just chanting at the floor, as we have to be extra mindful of the beats, the other leaders' tones and also our own recitations.

Only now that we are fully familiar with our beats, I start to enjoy leading puja as much as meditation. The mind is focused. Therapeutic!


Our 20-minute Mahayana puja is lead by 3 people:
1) the leader/'Wei3 Nuo3', who plays 大磬/Da Qing,引磬/Yin Qing
2) 木鱼/Mu Yu player
3) 钟鼓/Zhong Gu/Bell & Drum player
Thank you Venerable Chun Qing and Venerable Bodhi for training us in so many sessions.

My last update is, I have started a new blog! I have dumped the msn blog. Please leave comments if you stop by so that I know who's viewing.
--> seaming.blogspot.com

So, how are you?
Physically, economically, spiritually, mentally, socially?
(Don't need to reply a detailed answer if you don't have time. I am fine with "I am fine")

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Come and Support!

Happy Niu Year!

3gems is doing guiding for an exhibit at the Peranakan Museum, I'm one of the guiders, do come if you are interested!

---
6 Feb - 26 Apr 2009

SERENITY IN STONE

One of the more important archaeological finds of the 20th century was made by chance in the city of Qingzhou in Shandong province, northeast China . Chinese serene-looking sculptures were created in the 6th century CE during the Northern Wei, Eastern Wei andNorthern Qi dynasties. Despite being buried for a few centuries, these sculptures still retain traces of paint and gold leaf. It is not hard to imagine that 1400 years ago, these sculptures were extremely exquisite and resplendent. Come admire their grand splendour!

For a limited period only.

Tours Dates & Time
Every Friday, 7pm
Every Saturday & Sunday, 10.30am & 4pm
Tour will be conducted in English

Venue
Peranakan Museum , 39 Armenian Street
*Strictly by email registration only (Limited to 10 visitors per tour)
Register with your full name, mobile, email & total no of participants. Please specify your tour date & destination (Serenity in Stones) to info@3gems.net one week prior of your preferred date

Buddhist Guide Service
Free of Charge
*Admission fees to the museum apply*
Adult: S$8Group Discount (5Pax): S$5

For more inormation, please visit http://www.peranakanmuseum.sg.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009!

Some of you might be at the Spiritual Countdown now hahaha but I'm at home, wishing you guys all the best in the year(s) ahead.

May all beings always have happiness and its causes.
May all beings always be free from suffering and its causes.
May all of us grow with wisdom and compassion with each passing moment.
May all beings never be separated from the Awakened Mind.