Sunday April 25
Donna will lead us in The Five Mindfulness Trainings
💗🙏
practicing mindfulness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh
OHS 10th Anniversary Poem by Monica Elrod
Open Heart Sangha
The
sangha cradles me gently like a newborn babe
Easing
suffering, quenching my hunger for spiritual food
Filling
my heart with comfort and deep healing
Dharma
rain falls upon me
Mixing
with my tears
Of
joy, grief, and love
I learn to deeply experience
The
present moment
Songs
make me smile,
I
feel like a six year old child
Singing
quietly, haltingly
Not
knowing all the words or gestures
Others
may be shy too
I
wait for them
During
dharma sharing
Hoping
for the tiny flower buds to unfurl
And
luscious blossoms to spill from open hearts and lips
We
zoom together, and inter are
Our
energies join in cyberspace,
Ebbing,
swirling and flowing
Like
waves surging into shore, and out to sea again
I
feel your pain
I
feel your sorrow
I
feel your compassion,
I
feel your loving kindness
We
are the continuation
Dear
Thay
Although
I have not met you
I
know you (and you know me!)
From
your writings
Your
dharma talks
Through
your precious nuns and monks
And
cherished sangha bodies
You
have polished the three jewels
So
they sparkle with color, brilliance, and energy
Today
we celebrate
10
years
Of
heart opening and deep listening
Breathing
in, we transform our suffering
Breathing
out, we transform the world's suffering
The
bell rings, echoing waves of sound
Bringing
us back to the present moment, wonderful moment
-Monica Elrod
OHS 10th Anniversary Poem by Dianne Pietila
Goodness gracious sakes alive.
The “buzz” around the sangha hive
Is that a Be-in is happening at Open Heart
And all Thay’s friends will joyfully take part.
It’s tea with Thay -- Just you and I
And we will also honor with glee
All others with whom we inter-be.
It’s a day when we can celebrate
Our sweet, wise leader and soulmate.
Whom we honor for his steadfastedness
And seeming foreverlastedness.
I’m grateful, too, for our facilitators.
Such loving, innovative inspirators.
You are so devoted and professional --
Maybe more than some of our Washington congressional.
Open Heart is a place where we can be free,
To not think or worry but just simply be.
In our dharma talk we know we can say
Whatever we’re feeling on a particular day.
We can cry, laugh and give voice
To all we fear, hope or rejoice.
Even dark secrets we’ve thought we must keep.
We can share in the light and bring out of the deep.
Without judgment, we feel safe to unbury
Those dread thoughts we’ve long had to carry.
But today is a day to laugh, smile & giggle,
Let’s sing, let’s dance, and maybe even wiggle.
Let’s raise our teacups and toast our presenters --
With special kudos to our forever mentor.
And following the lead of our dear, wise Thay
Let’s all breathe deeply and release with a sigh.
Of course remembering all the while
The Thai trademark: that sweet half-smile.
- Dianne Pietila
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