Here we are – 2022. There is still snow on the ground where I am – and I am so fortunate to have had the pure joy of a puppy and her first snow! A bit of a mess indoors as the snowballs on her coat begin to melt. But what is the mess compared to the joy? Messes can be cleaned up (certainly this one). Joy can be hard to come by in this third year of the pandemic.
For me, this year is going to be about focusing less on the mess and more on the joy…. What can I do to touch the deepest desires of my heart – the place where I am still and quiet and clear – where I allow the fewest perceptions and feelings and concepts to distract me from my Buddha nature. As we have been practicing over the last months, nourishing our selves and others requires that we pay attention to our edible food, our sense contacts (and cravings), our acknowledged volition/ intentions/ deepest desires, and mind consciousness.
When my mind moves to mess, my intention is to let my heart bring me back to joy!
We will begin the new year of Waves and Water Sangha practice this evening with the Ceremony to Recite the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Throughout the rest of the month Caretaking Council members will offer teachings in the second hour that will support our capacity to nourish happiness through our everyday actions.
We have an announcement below followed by links to resources used in December.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2022 THREE SANGHA ZOOM
A CELEBRATION co-hosted by the Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver, North Shore Mindfulness and Waves and Water Sangha: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, based on Thay’s Earth teachings and including wonderful commentary throughout by Sister True Dedication as well as an afterword by Sister Chan Khong.
On this Sunday we will meet as usual at 6:30 for sitting meditation. Members of the other Sanghas will be there as well. At 7:00 there will either be a presentation by a Plum Village Monastic or a panel of senior practitioners. This will be followed by a question and answer period and small group discussions.
If possible, please read the book in advance! And if you intend to attend it would be great to let us know so we can have some numbers to help us with the details. You can e-mail wwsangha@gmail.com to indicate your interest. Closer to the date, we may ask for pre-registration and provide the Zoom link.
BEGINNING ANEW
Susu gathered these resources to build on her presentation in December:
Beginning Anew with Oneself Dharma Talk (Sr. Dang Nghiem ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b6I5aAU3as
Mindfulness Bell Article (Sr Annabel) https://www.mindfulnessbell.org/archive/2016/03/beginning-anew-3
How to begin anew article with a short instructional video (Plum Village) https://plumvillage.org/articles/begin-anew/
Beginning Anew: Four Steps to Restoring Communication Book (Sr Chan Khong) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/545838/beginning-anew-by-sister-chan-khong-introduction-by-thich-nhat-hanh/
May we be well, Bethan
