The Peace Pagoda

These are some photographs of the Peace Pagoda, Temple and Medicine Wheel which are in Willen, Milton Keynes that I visited last Friday.
The Medicine Wheel, while inspired by Native American traditions, is meant as a universal symbol of peace and also draws heavily on local energy sites such as Stonehenge.
The Peace Pagoda was built by the the monks and nuns of the Nipponzan Myohoji as a symbol of world brotherhood. Above it, 1,000 cherry trees commemorate the victims of war, while prayers and messages of hope decorate the nearby One World Tree.
Alongside the Pagoda is the distinctive Buddhist Temple, where the public is welcome inside or to visit the grounds with their Japanese and Zen gardens.
If anybody has any ideas about what I could put onto this blog then please let me know.

Alex Fox

 

St. Michael, hero of the sun

These are some photographs of a play that was performed on Tuesday 14^th October called ‘St. Michael, hero of the sun’ at the Chrysalis Theatre in Camphill Milton Keynes by residents and co-workers.
The story was about Luifried, a young knight who decided to dedicate himself to the service of St. Michael. Lufried embarkek on a journey by helping others and spread the good message that was sent by St. Michael.
Archaniel Michael is usually present on the pictures as a warrior holding a dragon at bay or sometimes holding a scales weighing a demon against the soul of human.

 Alex Fox

Gormenghast

Gormenghast is a fantasy novel by British writer Mervyn Peake. It is the story of Titus Groan, 77th Earl of Groan and Lord of Gormenghast Castle, from age 7 to 17. As the story opens, Titus dreads the pre-ordained life of ritual that stretches before him. To Titus, Master of Ritual Barquentine and his apprentice Steerpike are the embodiment of all he wants to rebel against. An important sub-plot involves Titus at school, where he encounters the professors, especially Bellgrove, who becomes Headmaster of Gormenghast school.
The novel has been adapted for the theatre by Carabosse theatre and was performed at the Chrysalis theatre from the 10^th to the 14^th October.

Alex Fox

Shopping at Tesco

Here are some photos of me buying Weight Watchers meals at the Tesco in Kingston, Milton Keynes on Friday 3rd October. I've been on a diet and have lost lots of weight.

Alex Fox

Crystal ball's

A crystal ball is a crystal or glass ball believed by some people to aid in the performance of clairvoyance. It is sometimes known as a shew stone (or show stone— "shew" is an archaic spelling of "show").
The art or process of "seeing" is known as "scrying", whereby images are claimed to be seen in crystals, or other media such as water, and are interpreted as meaningful information. The "information" gleaned then is used to make important decisions in one's life (i.e. love, marriage, finances, travel, business, etc.).
By contrast, some professed seers say that they do not actually see images in the crystal itself, but rather that the featureless interior of the stone facilitates them in clearing their mind of distractions so that future truths or events will become known to them.
When the technique of scrying is used with crystals, or any transparent body, it is known as crystallomancy or crystal gazing.


Clear crystal ball



Black obsidian crystal ball

Yellow quartz crystal ball

Alex Fox

Interview with Alexander

Name

Alexander

Age

37

How long have you lived in the community?

Since 2001

What house do you live in?
Willowwood

What workshops do you do? (Which one do you like the most)?
I do gardening, the theatre and the newsletter workshop. I like the theatre the most

What activities do you do (like evening class or painting)?
I do not do these things.

What responsibilities do you have in your house?
I help to clean the bathrooms and the kitchen

What do you do at the weekends?
Sometimes I go shopping at the city centre. I also go to visit relatives

Would you like to share anything with this newsletter?
I like taking photos for the newsletter group

What did you do before you came to CMKC?
I was living in a home called Nicholas House

What are your hobbies?
I like going out walking and using Facebook.

Is there anything you do not like?
I am not keen on doing cleaning.

Alex Fox

Camphill Milton Keynes Open Day

On Saturday 6^th September, Camphill Milton Keynes had an Open Day. For this year’s open day, most of the events and activities happened in the Chrysalis Theatre.

The events officially started at 12pm with some singing by Jeremy Cooper, Luke Wiseman, Joan Harris, Hanne Drexel and Filia. Then we had a barbecue. After lunch, there was a brief explanation of Camphill’s hopes for the day by Tim Davis the CEO followed by a fashion show by the Weavery, and an insightful and informative film on Person Centred Planning produced by the newsletter group. There were musical performances with hand-bells and the lyre and a presentation on the World Wide Weave project (a national Camphill initiative) that said Camphill Milton Keynes has recently completed pieces depicting our place in the Camphill world. The young co-workers performed a short play depicting the trials and tribulations of a volunteer co-worker; from arriving fresh faced at CMKC to leaving inspired and ready to face the world with a wealth of new experiences and insights. Then we had another break.

After the break, there was more singing followed by our very own "Oscars" presentation marking some of the people and activities that we are most proud of.

Then we had presentations and discussion on our future strategy led by Tim Davis and the management team. This was a chance to reflect on what is most special about our Camphill Community as we prepare for the future.

Our finale was a musical collaboration that raised the theatre rafters and left us all inspired for our future.

Alex Fox