Nick's Shining the Light Ceremony, facilitated by Pete
Nick Neild, a long-time member of our Sangha, has requested a “Shining the Light” ceremony as he prepares to move to the Czech Republic this month. We have a precious opportunity to offer our encouragements, loving support, and guidance on his path as a Sangha leader and an aspirant to be an Order of Interbeing member. The support of a practitioner's local sangha can be immensely helpful and supportive in providing loving energy and valuable insights to help him realize his highest potential as a practitioner. As the Sangha shares its reflections on Nick’s practice, we will also say goodbye to Nick and to his wife Bara, a sangha member for years, as they embark on a new journey in their life together in the Czech Republic.
While there are many ways to share, Thay has provided us guidance in the kind of sharing for Shining Light:
First, we share about the virtuous qualities and strengths of the person receiving the shining light. How has this person lived harmoniously with those around them? How has this person improved their practice in the past year? How does this person help others outside of just Sangha activities, or in the Sangha? There are many ways to share about this. The important thing is for people to recognize the positive qualities, and to offer encouragement for this person to continue these beneficial ways.
Then, we might share about how this person can improve upon their practice, or improve the way they are able to live in harmony with others. How can this person transcend some of their habits which may be limiting or causing some suffering to those around them? What are some of the habit energies which prevent this person from being joyful, compassionate, or experiencing happiness with others?
It is important for people sharing to understand that this part of the practice is intended to help the person grow and further transform, giving them more direction and insight on what to focus on their path of practice. It is very valuable, when it is given in a spirit of encouragement, hope, and belief that they will transcend and transform for the better, and that better understanding their limitations or unwholesome habits will help them to overcome them. So we share in this way, because we see that their suffering is our suffering, and their fruits of practice are our fruits of practice, too.
Here is a short excerpt on Shining the Light by Thay.
practicing mindfulness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh