Sunday, Oct 4

"Love is a living, breathing thing. There is no need to force it to grow in a particular direction. If we start by being easy and gentle with ourselves, we will find it is just there inside of us, solid and healing."

-Thich Nhat Hanh, How to Love

Dear friends,

This week at Open Heart Sangha we will have the chance to get in touch with the love that is inside of us. Together we will explore some of Thay's teachings and practices around love (from his recent book How to Love). I (Stephanie) will be facilitating.

Bowing and smiling,

Stephanie :)

Sunday, September 27

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

Join us this Sunday for the Recitation of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings, which will include some of the ceremonial chanting (Incense Offering, Opening Verse, The Three Refuges, Closing Verse) in the Plum Village tradition.

It is also the day of the full moon Mid-Autumn festival, so if you have a lantern or something autumnal to add to our center alter, feel free to bring it (and maybe I'll make moon cakes).

Sunday, September 13th: Right Diligence

Loretta will facilitate the eighth right practice of the Noble Eightfold Path, Right Diligence.

Sunday, September 6: Right Livelihood

Dear brothers and sisters:

As we continue to explore the Noble Eightfold Path, this coming Sunday brings us to Right Livelihood (and on Labor Day weekend, too!).

If you would like some "homework" before sangha, please consider the following exercise. Take a few quiet moments to stop and look deeply at your work/livelihood. What emotions come up? Write them down--there will probably be more than one. For example: enthusiasm, fulfillment, frustration, excitement, boredom, anger, disengagement (just working to pay the bills)? How do you feel when you leave for work? How do you feel when you leave work for home? For those no longer working for a paycheck, how do you spend your time, and what are the rewards?

Enjoy your breath!

Smiling,
Karen