Sunday, May 31

Hey there everyone! This Sunday we get to recite the 5 Mindfulness Trainings :) Afterwards we will get to gather the first (hopefully monthly) Open Heart Choir! There is no real agenda other than to hang out afterwards and sing some songs of practice to have a good time! If we sound awful, hilarious! If we sound great, lovely! Either way we are sure to curl some mouth corners up :) Be sure to bring some dinner with you or bring money to buy food from the Hospital Cafeteria. Feel free to bring extra as a potluck style in case someone forgets to bring something, but no biggie if not. Happy Vesak to all!

With love and respect

~Nick~

Sunday, May 24

In our practice Thay encourages us to heal our past with our ancestors and to realize they are still with us. He says we practice not only for ourselves, but for our ancestors, too. This Sunday we will consider how we may bring our ancestors into our present experience and appreciate their contributions in our lives. You are invited to bring pictures of one or a few of your ancestors you would like to bring into our circle of practice.

Peace, 
Marge

Sunday, May 17

Dear Thay, Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This Sunday, we will have the opportunity to listen to one of Thay's short dharma talks on how we can be peaceful and enjoy life (and not fall prey to anger, fear, or resentment) when there is so much suffering in the world?

We will also do some sitting mediation outside, weather permitting, so we can enjoy nature after it has had such a beautiful cleansing and nourishing drink. Feel free to bring a ground cover if you would prefer to sit on it instead of on the ground.

Singing in the Rain,
Loretta

Sunday, May 10

Dear Sangha,

I would like to help us find our way into a deeper and more satisfying relationship with reality, to know our real selves, and to achieve liberation from fear and tension stemming from our false sense of being a separate self.

I know from my practice that it is possible to transform our minds so that we are happy, well and vibrantly alive in the present moment.

Our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, said nothing in the world causes more suffering than an untrained mind. Then he said that nothing in the world creates more happiness and wellbeing than a well-trained mind. Our practice consists of skillful means to enable us to train our minds to achieve concentration and liberation, joy, happiness and peace. These practices include inspiring poetry, guided meditations and teachings, which are deep and offer us food for contemplation. We will explore the teachings of the Three Doors of Liberation, emptiness, signlessness and aimlessness, and the three Dharma Seals, impermanence, non-self and Nirvana. We will enjoy being reminded of some of the poetic images that inspire us and we will have a guided meditation to make all of this real through practice.

I look forward to being with you and facilitating this Sunday.

Smiling,

Keith

Universal Emptiness of the Heart

True Enlightenment Garden

Sunday, May 3

We will have a chance to study and practice with elements from The Four Establishments of Mindfulness (Sattipathana Sutra), facilitated by Pete.