Dear Friends
We concluded our 2016 practice year with candle light and practice songs as we celebrated Solstice. One of the songs touching our hearts was adapted from a poem by Rumi :
Come, come, whoever you are,
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving,
And come, come, whoever you are
This isn’t a caravan of despair.
‘Cause it doesn’t matter if you’ve broken your vows
a thousand times before and yet again
Come again come and yet again, come.
(Lyrics and mp3 here)
We will carry this song into the New Year by practicing Beginning Anew with the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Tomorrow, the first Thursday of 2017, we will recite the Five Mindfulness Trainings. A panel of Sangha members will then share their experiences of practicing with the Five Mindfulness Trainings not only as individuals but also as a collective: A Caravan of practitioners, helping each other sustain and deepen our commitment. Please bring your stories to share – the panel will open into a Dharma Sharing.
January 12 our Sutra Service will centre on the Discourse on the Dharma Seal – the basic teachings of all Buddhas. January 19 our Dharma Discussion will focus on what we do, individually and collectively, as “practice.” January 26 our Reading from Touching the Earth will explore #13 Recognizing Feelings and Emotions.
DAY OF MINDFULNESS: On January 14 we will hold a Day of Mindfulness practicing and exploring The Five Touchings of the Earth. (More information on Days of Mindfulness here.)
PEOPLE OF COLOUR RETREAT IN OREGON:
April 20-23, 2017, Dharma Teacher Larry Ward will offer a People of Color Retreat in the Plum Village Tradition. This retreat is presented by and for people of color—Black, Asian, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander—to share and practice in a supportive environment. It will take place at Great Vow Monaster, Clatsaknie, OR.
Register: https://www.zendust.org/event/colors-compassion
Questions: (503) 728-0654 or info@zendust.org
