practicing mindfulness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh
Sunday, December 31 at UU
Heather will facilitate the recitation the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings, including some of the ceremonial chanting (Incense Offering, Touching the Earth, Opening Verse, The Heart Sutra, The Three Refuges, Closing Verse) in the Plum Village tradition.
Sunday, December 24 @ UU
We'll meet in the room next door to our usual space to celebrate the present moment in beloved community. Loretta and Marge will facilitate, and we may share Buddha-ful carols.
LET IT GO (sung to the tune of Let it Snow)
Oh the world can be so frightful
But my breath is so delightful,
We don’t need a place to go, (so)
Let It Go! Let It Go! Let It Go!
We've got to stop global warming
And keep the bees a-swarming
When you crave stuff you should know (you can)
Let It Go! Let It Go! Let It Go!
Sometimes when we get off-course
If we get down about memories past
And we might start to feel remorse (We can)
Listen to a Deer Park podcast!
Even though it’s not a-snowing
Our good seeds we’ll keep a-hoeing
So compassion and love can grow
Let It Go! Let It Go! Let It Go!
DECK THE HILLS WITH WILDFLOWERS (Deck the Halls)
Deck the hills with wildflowers Fa la la la la la la la la!
Water them until it showers Fa la la la la la la la la!
Native plants they love to live here Fa la la la la la la la la!
Smiling to us they bring us cheer Fa la la la la la la la la!
In the garden we see Phap Hy Fa la la la la la la la la!
Boddhisattva of oak trees Fa la la la la la la la la!
Growing live oaks may take 10 years Fa la la la la la la la la!
When we’re gone they will still be here Fa la la la la la la la la!
Plants are our continuation Fa la la la la la la la la!
Water seeds of vegetation Fa la la la la la la la la!
Deer Park plants, they never complain Fa la la la la la la la la!
They get fulfilled with Dharma Rain Fa la la la laaaaa lala laa LAAAAA!
BREATHING IN (Silent Night)
Breathing in, Breathing out
Feel the air go in and out
Now’s the time for relaxing
Nourish your calm abiding
You don’t have to go far
Breathe and be where you are
Breathing in, Breathing out
Deep and Slow, No need to pout
Smiling lightly is good for your face
It will fill you with cosmic grace
Sangha will let you be
Smile and you will be free
Breathing in, Breathing out
Feel the space, Slow your pace
We don’t need to grasp and grab
We’ll be content with what we have
We don’t need more stuff
We have more than enough
I’M DREAMING OF A RAINY CHRISTMAS (White Christmas)
I’m dreaming of a rainy Christmas
So all the plants can drink and grow
Where the oak trees glisten
And monkey-flowers listen
To hear coyote families howl
I’m dreaming of a rainy Christmas
With every gatha I recite
May your steps be peaceful and light
And your Buddha-nature shine so bright.
THE EIGHT DAYS OF PRACTICE (The 12 Days of Christmas)
On the first day of practice the Buddha gave to us: the insight of interbeing!
On the second day of practice the Buddha gave to us: two promises, and the insight of interbeing!
Third day: Three precious jewels
Fourth day: Four noble truths
Fifth day: Five –mind—ful--trainings!
Sixth day: Six paramitas
Seventh day: Seven factors of awakening
Eighth day: Noble Eightfold Path
On the next days of practice the Buddha gave to us: Ten directions, 51 mental formations, 283 monastic precepts, 84,000 dharma doors…
HERE WE COME TO MEDITATE (The Wassail Song)
Here we come to meditate,
Among dear friends so keen,
Here we come to concentrate
our minds to be serene
Peace and joy come to you,
and some loving kindness, too
May all beings be well and have a happy new year,
May all have a happy new year.
Dear brothers and dear sisters,
As we sit encircled here
Pray think of all beings,
Share the merit and good cheer
Peace and joy come to you,
and some loving kindness, too
May all beings be well and have a happy new year,
May all have a happy new year.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS (The First Noel)
The first noble truth, the Buddha did say
It was certain that suffering is here or on it’s way
The second noble truth, is there is a path
for suffering to continue both day and night
There is suffering and a path to suffering
Buddha, how can we end suffering?
The third noble truth, we’re so happy to say
Is that suffering can have an ending today
The fourth noble truth, it gave great light
The Noble Eightfold Path; the way is right:
Right view, thought, speech, action, livelihood,
effort, mindfulness, concentration.
MINDFUL BELLS (Jingle Bells)
Dashing through our life
Ask the horses where we go
With suffering and strife
Tweeting all the way
But bells are inviting
us back into insight
What joy it brings to sit and sing
Here and now, tonight
Oh Mindful Bells, Mindful Bells
Breathing all the way
Thank you for reminding us
To stop and rest today
Now grounded and light
Let go while you’re young
Take the vows tonight
And chant a sutra song
Just have an open heart
With breathing and sitting
Like a snowball to your back
You’ll find Awakening!
LET IT GO (sung to the tune of Let it Snow)
Oh the world can be so frightful
But my breath is so delightful,
We don’t need a place to go, (so)
Let It Go! Let It Go! Let It Go!
We've got to stop global warming
And keep the bees a-swarming
When you crave stuff you should know (you can)
Let It Go! Let It Go! Let It Go!
Sometimes when we get off-course
If we get down about memories past
And we might start to feel remorse (We can)
Listen to a Deer Park podcast!
Even though it’s not a-snowing
Our good seeds we’ll keep a-hoeing
So compassion and love can grow
Let It Go! Let It Go! Let It Go!
DECK THE HILLS WITH WILDFLOWERS (Deck the Halls)
Deck the hills with wildflowers Fa la la la la la la la la!
Water them until it showers Fa la la la la la la la la!
Native plants they love to live here Fa la la la la la la la la!
Smiling to us they bring us cheer Fa la la la la la la la la!
In the garden we see Phap Hy Fa la la la la la la la la!
Boddhisattva of oak trees Fa la la la la la la la la!
Growing live oaks may take 10 years Fa la la la la la la la la!
When we’re gone they will still be here Fa la la la la la la la la!
Plants are our continuation Fa la la la la la la la la!
Water seeds of vegetation Fa la la la la la la la la!
Deer Park plants, they never complain Fa la la la la la la la la!
They get fulfilled with Dharma Rain Fa la la la laaaaa lala laa LAAAAA!
BREATHING IN (Silent Night)
Breathing in, Breathing out
Feel the air go in and out
Now’s the time for relaxing
Nourish your calm abiding
You don’t have to go far
Breathe and be where you are
Breathing in, Breathing out
Deep and Slow, No need to pout
Smiling lightly is good for your face
It will fill you with cosmic grace
Sangha will let you be
Smile and you will be free
Breathing in, Breathing out
Feel the space, Slow your pace
We don’t need to grasp and grab
We’ll be content with what we have
We don’t need more stuff
We have more than enough
I’M DREAMING OF A RAINY CHRISTMAS (White Christmas)
I’m dreaming of a rainy Christmas
So all the plants can drink and grow
Where the oak trees glisten
And monkey-flowers listen
To hear coyote families howl
I’m dreaming of a rainy Christmas
With every gatha I recite
May your steps be peaceful and light
And your Buddha-nature shine so bright.
THE EIGHT DAYS OF PRACTICE (The 12 Days of Christmas)
On the first day of practice the Buddha gave to us: the insight of interbeing!
On the second day of practice the Buddha gave to us: two promises, and the insight of interbeing!
Third day: Three precious jewels
Fourth day: Four noble truths
Fifth day: Five –mind—ful--trainings!
Sixth day: Six paramitas
Seventh day: Seven factors of awakening
Eighth day: Noble Eightfold Path
On the next days of practice the Buddha gave to us: Ten directions, 51 mental formations, 283 monastic precepts, 84,000 dharma doors…
HERE WE COME TO MEDITATE (The Wassail Song)
Here we come to meditate,
Among dear friends so keen,
Here we come to concentrate
our minds to be serene
Peace and joy come to you,
and some loving kindness, too
May all beings be well and have a happy new year,
May all have a happy new year.
Dear brothers and dear sisters,
As we sit encircled here
Pray think of all beings,
Share the merit and good cheer
Peace and joy come to you,
and some loving kindness, too
May all beings be well and have a happy new year,
May all have a happy new year.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS (The First Noel)
The first noble truth, the Buddha did say
It was certain that suffering is here or on it’s way
The second noble truth, is there is a path
for suffering to continue both day and night
There is suffering and a path to suffering
Buddha, how can we end suffering?
The third noble truth, we’re so happy to say
Is that suffering can have an ending today
The fourth noble truth, it gave great light
The Noble Eightfold Path; the way is right:
Right view, thought, speech, action, livelihood,
effort, mindfulness, concentration.
MINDFUL BELLS (Jingle Bells)
Dashing through our life
Ask the horses where we go
With suffering and strife
Tweeting all the way
But bells are inviting
us back into insight
What joy it brings to sit and sing
Here and now, tonight
Oh Mindful Bells, Mindful Bells
Breathing all the way
Thank you for reminding us
To stop and rest today
Now grounded and light
Let go while you’re young
Take the vows tonight
And chant a sutra song
Just have an open heart
With breathing and sitting
Like a snowball to your back
You’ll find Awakening!
Oh Mindful Bells, Mindful Bells
Breathing all the way
Thank you for reminding us
To stop and rest today
Breathing all the way
Thank you for reminding us
To stop and rest today
adapted by Laura Hunter & Heather Weightman
Sunday, December 17 at UU
Dear Sangha,
As we ride the emotional roller-coaster of our political and environmental climate, it can become very easy to be swept away by anxiety, despair, fear and anger. Thay has guided us to come back to the island within to take refuge during this ongoing storm that we call life so we can become stable and hence increasingly skillful in a time where it is very needed. To do so, we will discuss the Four Kinds of Nutriments and how they relate to the Fifth Mindfulness Training.
As we ride the emotional roller-coaster of our political and environmental climate, it can become very easy to be swept away by anxiety, despair, fear and anger. Thay has guided us to come back to the island within to take refuge during this ongoing storm that we call life so we can become stable and hence increasingly skillful in a time where it is very needed. To do so, we will discuss the Four Kinds of Nutriments and how they relate to the Fifth Mindfulness Training.
Until then, may your breath anchor you in the gift that is this present moment.
Nick
Nick
Visit Wake Up SD's website for more singing meditation resources.
Tuesday, December 19 at DBT
Dear Sangha,
I’m a story teller, a teller of what has been called “The Great Story,” the story of the birth and evolution of the universe, according to our best science, and how we humans fit into it.
We are alive at a time when the story of what it means to be human is changing radically. Many of us are lost because the story we have been organized around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years no longer serves us and is no longer believable. The story of the industrial revolution, that nature is here to exploit for our human purposes, as resource and dumping ground, has brought us to the edge of extinction, of ourselves and most other forms of life. We need a new story and we need a story shared by all of humanity, because our challenges now are global, including global warming, species extinction, and habitat destruction. Fortunately, the science based story of the birth and evolution of the universe is the product of the whole world, and can serve as a unifying story.
A story of what it means to be human and a practice to embody that story is a powerful combination. Our tradition encompasses both but I think it is much stronger on practice than on story. We are alive at a time when our story is going through a dramatic change and I think it is valuable to reflect on the story we are leaving and the new story that is emerging. This transition has been called the movement “From Empire to Earth Community” and “The Great Turning.” We’ll explore this changing story and how we can practice with it to bring it home and make it our own story.
I look forward to practicing with you,
Keith
True Enlightenment Garden
I’m a story teller, a teller of what has been called “The Great Story,” the story of the birth and evolution of the universe, according to our best science, and how we humans fit into it.
We are alive at a time when the story of what it means to be human is changing radically. Many of us are lost because the story we have been organized around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years no longer serves us and is no longer believable. The story of the industrial revolution, that nature is here to exploit for our human purposes, as resource and dumping ground, has brought us to the edge of extinction, of ourselves and most other forms of life. We need a new story and we need a story shared by all of humanity, because our challenges now are global, including global warming, species extinction, and habitat destruction. Fortunately, the science based story of the birth and evolution of the universe is the product of the whole world, and can serve as a unifying story.
A story of what it means to be human and a practice to embody that story is a powerful combination. Our tradition encompasses both but I think it is much stronger on practice than on story. We are alive at a time when our story is going through a dramatic change and I think it is valuable to reflect on the story we are leaving and the new story that is emerging. This transition has been called the movement “From Empire to Earth Community” and “The Great Turning.” We’ll explore this changing story and how we can practice with it to bring it home and make it our own story.
I look forward to practicing with you,
Keith
True Enlightenment Garden
Sunday, December 10 @ UU
Pete will offer “The Four Sangha Vows” developed by Dharma Teacher Lyn Fine. In the midst of conflict and confusion in the world and in ourselves, the Five and Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings continue to be a source of inspiration and encouragement to us. The Four Sangha Vows are an additional tool and helpful reminders for opening and deepening our Sangha friendships.
Tuesday, December 12 @ DBT
Marge will share on “Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment.”
Standing Meditation
Practicing this standing posture allows us to bring mindfulness of the present moment into our daily lives. We can do it almost anywhere — standing in line, at the crosswalk, and in elevators. When you’re about to meet someone, especially someone who you might be nervous to see (such as a boss who is giving you an evaluation), meditate and clear your mind so you can give them your complete calm and undivided attention.
Standing Meditation
Practicing this standing posture allows us to bring mindfulness of the present moment into our daily lives. We can do it almost anywhere — standing in line, at the crosswalk, and in elevators. When you’re about to meet someone, especially someone who you might be nervous to see (such as a boss who is giving you an evaluation), meditate and clear your mind so you can give them your complete calm and undivided attention.
Stand gracefully, relaxedly with your legs shoulder width apart, feet parallel.Repeat this a few times, until you feel a little bit more peace.
Close your eyes or look softly at the floor or ground in front of you. If you feel unsteady on your feet with your eyes closed, gently hold onto something solid nearby to steady you.
Let your arms hang at your sides, relax your neck and shoulders. You may also want to loosen your knees and any other parts of your body where there is tension.
Let your attention rest for a few moments on the sensations at the base of your feet (at the point of contact with the ground) and on the crown of your head.
Move back and forth with weight on one foot, then the other. Then move forward so that more of the weight is on your toes and balls of your feet. Rock gently backwards, shifting the weight to your heels. Find the position where you feel most centered on your feet.
On the inhalation, sense your breath rising into your feet, through your body, and out through the crown of your head.
On the exhalation, sense your breath moving from your head, down through your body and out through your feet into the ground.
Keep the sensations along your spine in mind. You may notice a soft straightening on the in-breath.
You can visualize the breath in any way that you want, as a ray of light or stream of water, or simply just experience the sensations.
adapted from Still Mind
Sunday, December 3 @ UU
Thay has a great teaching for us to keep us from getting caught in our views, "Are you sure? Are you really sure? Are you really really absolutely sure?" Another teaching given to us by the Buddha to help with our views is his Thundering Silence (the title of one of Thay's books on this topic). This Sunday we will dive into the Sutra: The Discourse on Knowing the Better Way to Catch a Snake. Near the end of his life, the Buddha declared, “during forty-five years, I have not said a word” to encourage his students to avoid being caught by words or ideas. Thich Nhat Hanh calls this “the thundering silence of a Buddha.” Essentially, the teaching is to help guide us to make sure that we really are understanding the Buddha's teachings properly, so that we don't get bit by grabbing the snake in the wrong way.
-Nick
-Nick
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