Dear friends –
Impermanence is everywhere around us – the trees turn colours, leaves fall, the air freshens and we begin our preparations for rain and wind and deep darkness. In the midst of it all Waves and Water Sangha gives thanks to all those who support the Sangha and our practice – all those who support the Mahasangha of all beings!
Our teacher Thich Nhat Hanh has his 88th Continuation Day this Saturday, October 11. He acknowledges our deep love and asks that we honour him through “a gift of the heart” – a small promise that we offer such as “I will offer my first sip of morning tea to all beings, in gratitude.” If you would like to offer your gift through a message to Thay and the greater Sangha, the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation suggests posting to their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ThichNhatHanhFoundation) or Twitter (#HappyContinuation) on Saturday.
Please hold this date! TAKING REFUGE IN MINDFUL CONSUMPTION: A Day of Mindfulness on Saturday, December 13. We will support each others deepest desires to find a stable and peaceful path through the final weeks of the year.
In the past, on New Year’s Eve, Waves and Water Sangha members have joined with Mountain Rain Zen Community and other Sanghas to sit and chant together until, finally, we sound 108 bells to ring in the New Year. More details to follow! On January 1st – Thursday – New Year’s Day – Waves and Water Sangha will gather for a Tea Ceremony – to share stories and songs, readings and experiences.
Right now, we are continuing with our study and practice of Mindfulness of the Feelings in the Feelings. So interesting! Tonight we will look at the Five Universal Mental Formations and consider how they arise and become what we commonly call “feelings” and are learning to call “emotions.”
In November we begin to explore Mindfulness of the Mind in the Mind. Please join us on Thursday evenings as we move through two months of new territory. Sangha members who are following this study period are encouraged to practice with Thich Nhat Hanh’s book Understanding the Mind (formerly Transformation at the Base). Here is Verse 6 on the Nature of Consciousness:
The quality of our life
Depends on the quality
Of the seeds
That lie deep in our consciousness.
Movie Nights with Mountain Rain Zen Community are scheduled for this Saturday, October 11 (TOKYO WAKA – a film/poem about a city, its people, and 20,000 crows) and Saturday, October 25 (HALVING THE BONES – Ruth Ozeki’s film focused on the complexities of what to do with “the bones” when one’s racial/ethnic/cultural heritage is dual).
http://www.mountainrainzen.org/events/2014/10/11/dharma-film-night
Everyone is welcome to join us at any time – complete beginners who are curious, practitioners from other traditions, folk who have been away for a while and would like to return. We welcome you!
