Good Evening Dear Friends
SOLIDARITY:
Today, Sunday, December 4, 2016, has been an interfaith day of solidarity with the water protectors in North Dakota. From the Plum Village Sangha in North America, this recitation has been offered:
VERSES OF CONSECRATION
The water’s shape is round or square according to the container that holds it.
In the spring warmth, it is liquid; in the winter cold, it is solid.
When its path is open it flows. When its path is obstructed, it stands still.
How vast it is, yet its source is so small it is difficult to find.
How wonderful it is in its streams, which flow endlessly.
In the jade rivulets, the footprints of dragons remain.
In the deep pond, water holds the bright halo of the autumn moon.
On the tip of the king’s pen, water becomes the compassion of clemency.
On the willow branch, it becomes the clear fresh balm of compassion.
Only one drop of the water of compassion is needed and the Ten Directions are all purified.
It is beautiful to practice this verse and to feel held not only by the interfaith community but also by the news that there may now be an obstacle to the pipeline’s completion using the current route.
We are also reminded of the First Nations communities in Canada that continue to have no safe water source despite years of activism – may we support their efforts.
90 DAY LAY WINTER RETREAT
Each year, monastic communities in our tradition hold the winter/rains retreat wherever they are located. Lay practitioners are invited to attend whenever they can – for a weekend, for a week, for the entire period. Many of us cannot travel to these centres, however.
Dharmacarya Kenley Neufeld from California is once again providing the framework for a lay practitioner’s retreat that we can participate in where we are. It began last Sunday and will continue through the 90 days. Those who formally commit to the retreat – for whatever time is possible for them – commit to THE SCHEDULE BELOW. We may also make additional commitments.
If you are interested and would like to meet from time to time with others from WAVES AND WATER SANGHA please let us know ( wwsangha@gmail.com).
SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS
6 days a week 45 minutes silent sitting
6 times a week silent meal 10 minutes
3 days a week read out loud and/ or practicing touching the earth with a chapter from “Touching the Earth, Intimate conversations with the Buddha” or “Love Letters to the Earth”
3 times a month practice with a local Sangha
1 day each week with no work (Lazy Day)
1 recitation per month of either the 5 Mindfulness Training or the 14 Mindfulness trainings
3 times a month participate in a Day of Mindfulness at a practice centre that you can access
1 Dharma Talk per week by Thay audio recorded in 2001.
