Dear friends
Mindfulness Training Transmission
On Sunday June 5th we have the great good fortune to have Dharma Teacher Joann Rosen join us for Ceremony to Transmit the Five Mindfulness Trainings. I encourage everyone who has not yet received the Trainings to consider participating. Please contact us at wwsangha@gmail.com to let us know if you have any questions or interest!
Please know you do not need to be a long-term or consistent practitioner to receive the Five Mindfulness Trainings. You do not need to currently attend a Sangha in the Tiep Hien/ Interbeing tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. You simply have, in your heart, an aspiration to do your best in your daily life to increase happiness and decrease suffering in yourself, your family, your community and the world. You understand that the Five Mindfulness Trainings may help you on that path.
In this way, coming forward to take Refuge and receive the Mindfulness Trainings is an act of generosity. You are expressing generosity not only to yourself, your family and friends but also to all beings – animal, vegetable, and mineral. As we are taught, none of us are separate-self entities. All our actions of body, speech and mind are interconnected.
Basic Practices throughout May
We will begin our Sunday gatherings in May with a Recitation of the Five Mindfulness Trainings and a panel of Waves and Water Sangha practitioners who have experienced the Transmission and continued practicing. For the rest of the month, we will explore “practice basics.”
On May 8, Bethan will offer some guidance concerning incense offering, sounding bells and sitting meditation. We will practice the incense offering chant, learn the Plum Village gatha (short verse) and form for sounding bells, and have a Question and Answer on the (potentially) daily practicing of sitting meditation.
On May 15, Louise will present Pablo Narudo’s practice of Keeping Quiet. She will present her experience of practicing off-the-cushion and out-of-doors, honouring Mothe Earth. On May 22, Susu will guide us through the Sutra Service on Love and Compassion. She will explain the structure and discuss how you might explore the Plum Village chantbook and find ways to develop your own Sutra Services.
Finally, on May 29 we will talk about ways to arrange your space – and energy – so you have a Zoom Zendo for Sunday nights and perhaps for regular practice. There will be another opportunity for Questions and Answers about the practice, the form, the teachings…. Whatever arises for you!
The Earth Holder Community
The Earth Holder Community (EHC) brings the teachings and practices of Thay to bear on some of the greatest challenges facing humanity today: Earth justice and racial justice, which are intimately linked. Its aim is to “bring mindfulness, compassion, healing, and non-violence to protecting ourselves, each other, all beings, and the Earth.”
The EHC provides encouragement, materials, and support to practitioners individually engaged in working on behalf of Mother Earth. It also sponsors a collective group called the EH Regional Community-Builders Sangha, with members from North America, Europe, and Peru who connect with Thay’s practices, one another, and climate justice organizations to bring about positive change.
For more information contact follow this link: https://earthholder.training/online-earth-holder-sangha/ . You will find online Sangha gatherings twice a month and the emerging network of Beloved Community Circles.
