Good evening dear friends –
Here is some Waves and Waters Sangha news we have collected over the last while! Most of you have subscribed to the website blog (http://wavesandwater.org) to receive our relatively infrequent e-mails, but with this update we are including a few more folk. If you NEVER want to receive e-mail from us, please let us know!
1/ We have gathered in our new meditation hall three different times now. It is so beautiful and we are so grateful to Mountain Rain Zen Centre for the work they have done in this transition. We have helped a bit, but this is their space and a great gift to the community. If you even need to rent space for an event, there is a kitchen, washrooms and a large space usually set up as a Zendo that holds 32 easily and more if you are using chairs.
LOCATION: 2016 Wall Street. Our website (above) has the directions and a map under LOCATION.
2/ We continue to practice on Thursday evenings from 6:50 to 9:00 p.m. If you have not attended Waves and Water Sangha before and are interested in an orientation to practice please go to the website and CONTACT us. In May, we will continue to take refuge – in happiness and joy and in the spring renewal of yellow sunshine and the green green buds on trees.
3/ A Caretaking Council has come together and we thank the following for their offering of SERVICE DANA: Donna Forscutt, Connie Kadota, Bethan Lloyd, Jody Longford, Susu Myint, Alda Nga, and Tom Purgas have taken on specific responsibilities concerning the meditation hall, membership and finances, our practice leadership, bells, chants, tea, and greeting. Please feel free to address questions to any of us! We flow as a river. . . .
4/ We are looking forward to developing chant books and doing some outreach. With the move, our rent has also increased. We appreciate the FINANCIAL DANA that is offered for each of our events. We ask for a donation of $7.00 to $10.00 each evening. Of course, if you feel moved to offer more we will accept that as well! No one is turned away because of an inability to offer financial dana and we also need your support in order to continue. Cheques can be made out to “Waves and Water Sangha Vancouver”
5/ ON SATURDAY AUGUST 11 there will be a celebration of the one year continuation of our practice since the Thich Nhat Hanh retreat in Vancouver. We will have a full day of mindfulness with the option of Friday evening and Sunday morning practice to provide a non-residential retreat. Please CONTACT us ASAP if you are interested!
6/ ON SATURDAY JUNE 2 there will be a Day of Mindfulness with Sisters from Deer Park Monastery at Mountain Lamp Community in Washington State. It is for one-day and car pools will be leaving Vancouver at 7:00 a.m. and leaving Mountain Lamp at 4:00 p.m. It takes at least two hours plus the border! Passports required! Please contact us through the CONTACT information on the website if you are interested in being part of this practice. YOU NEED TO REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE through www.mountainlamp.org
7/ ON THURSDAY MAY 17 Mountain Rain Zen Community will be celebrating their 10th anniversary. Their Teacher – Norman Fischer – as well as Ruth Ozeki will offer readings of their work. This will replace regular practice that evening.
8/ Our Sangha sister Jennifer has been in the United Kingdom and sends us this message of her experience with Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village Sangha in London:
Dear Waves and Water Sangha,
I thought of you all when I was at Trafalgar Square – it was wonderful (and freezing!!). I hope the move went well! Sending the loving, gentle and amazing energy of the retreat to you all. See you in May, Love, peace, and joy, Jennifer
May all be peaceful, happy and safe – Bethan
