On Thursday evenings we practice two periods of sitting meditation (20-25 minutes) and walking meditation (5-10 minutes) during the first hour. In the second hour we explore meditation and mindfulness practices including chanting, Touching the Earth, deep relaxation and Dharma study. The first Thursday of each month we recite the Five Mindfulness Trainings and talk together about our practice.
Please arrive by 6:50 in order to be settled in the meditation hall for the 7:00 bell.
ARRIVING AND SETTLING
When you come to the practice centre on Wall Street, you will come from the street into an entry way where you can leave your coats and shoes, bags and water bottles, etc. If you do not want to leave valuables in the entry way, please take them through to the kitchen (behind the meditation hall).
As we gather it is a lovely time to speak quietly with Sangha members before you enter the meditation hall. If you are coming to practice with Waves and Water Sangha for the first time, please let someone in the entry way know! If there is no one there and we have started the first period of sitting, please remain in the entry until you hear the bells at the end of the first period of sitting. Come through the door and someone will help you get settled during walking meditation.
OUR MEDITATION HALL
Once we have entered the Meditation Hall, we maintain silence.
Please find a space close to the altar down each side. Our space will be much larger and we want to feel we are practicing together as a community! You will be able to tell if there is an “empty” space because it won’t have a person or shawl or stone on it! You may move whatever cushion, chair, or bench you need to the empty mat. If you need to lie down during meditation, please ask for help in finding a space that will support your practice and the Sangha.
At the far end of the Meditation Hall is the entry to the kitchen/ library and off the kitchen is a washroom and an interview room.
During the first or second period of walking you may use the washroom, find a more suitable cushion and so on. The outside door will be locked at 7:30 unless there is prior arrangement.
LEAVING
We make every effort to finish our evening at 9:00 and to leave the meditation hall by 9:15. Please help restore the meditation hall by leaving your sitting space as you found it! Some friends will make sure the tea things are washed and put away. Feel free to offer to help them!
OFFERING DANA – SERVICE AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We appreciate the generosity of all those who gather to practice.
Service Dana allows us to share the tasks of greeting practitioners and helping them settle, sounding the bells, preparing and serving tea, arranging and restoring the meditation hall, distributing information about the Sangha and participating in the CareTaking Council. Please let Bethan know if you would like to offer your Service.
Financial Dana allows us meet our expenses of rent and materials. We need approximately $300/month to sustain our Sangha. The suggested contribution is from $7 to $10 per gathering and no practitioner will be turned away because they cannot offer financial support at that moment. It is also fine to offer more – or to offer a monthly donation or extra donation! You will find a bowl marked DANA – WITH GRATITUDE in the entry way. We can accept cheques made to “Waves and Water Sangha Vancouver.” If you have any questions please feel free to talk with Susu Myint or any other member of the Caretaking Council.
Mountain Rain Zen Community We are fortunate to have as our hosts Mountain Rain Zen Community. They have developed their Community over the last many years and we benefit from their mats and cushions and benches and chairs, their tea cups and kettles and trays, their open-hearted generosity.
