Sunday, November 15: The Art of Resting

Dear friends,

Our teacher, Thay, says "Resting is a very important practice. We have to learn the art of resting...The problem is that not many of us know how to allow our body and mind to rest. We are always struggling; struggling has become a kind of habit. We cannot resist being active, struggling all the time. We struggle even during our sleep." At this time of year, as the days become shorter, the weather cooler, and as the holiday season approaches, it is a wonderful time for us to practice the art of resting and mindfulness of body. This Sunday, we will explore and practice this art together as a sangha.

May you enjoy some rest between now and then :-)

Stephanie
(who will be facilitating :)

Sunday, November 8

Marge will facilitate using the topic “Present Moment, Wonderful Moment,” and she will be joined by Stephanie and Tree who will guide parts of our practice. As our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, said: "We can smile, breathe, walk, and eat in a way that allows us to be in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available. We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive. Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment."

We will take more time for Dharma sharing at this gathering, so sangha members may share with each other ways that they are able to stay in the present moment, enjoying each wonderful moment.