Dear friends
As we move toward the middle of February we can see so many signs of spring! Bright green shoots pushing up from the dirt and plump buds on trees. The cool nights follow warmer days – even sunshine from time to time. Breathing in, we can see there is nothing we can do to hurry up or delay seasonal change. Breathing out, no matter our inner turmoil in the midst of outer turmoil, the days will get longer, the temperature will rise, the quality of the rain will change. What does it mean to accept that change is inevitable? What does it mean to surrender to the cycle of life?
In February we have already recited the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Tomorrow we will discuss the use of Practice Songs in our tradition. We will have a chance to listen to – and practice The Song of the Rising Tide and Watering Seeds of Joy. We can also share which of the many practice songs are our favourites.
On February 27, during our regular Sangha gathering, three Vancouver Sanghas will gather for a panel discussion as well as question and answer and small group discussion of Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. This book presents an edited compilation of Thay’s teachings on deep ecology, with commentaries by Sister Hien Nghiem. As mentioned in earlier blogposts, it would be wonderful if you have a chance to read the book in advance – but do not let that stop you from attending! Co-hosted by: Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver, North Shore Mindfulness, and Waves and Water Sangha we will start as usual with a 6:30 joint sitting, followed at 7:00 by the program for the evening.
We continue to water honouring and remembering our beloved teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. The Ceremonies for the 49th Day following death will be held across the world and you may want to watch for streaming events. A very useful “bookmark” for your internet is the live blog from Plum Village https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/thich-nhat-hanhs-health/ (As an example of inevitable change we can see the title of this link refers to Thay’s health.) This site guides us to many events such as the formal Ashes Ceremony to bring back Thay’s ashes from the Cremation Park to T? Hi?u Temple that took place Sunday, January 30th.
Sangha members have also noted an episode of On Being with Krista Tippett from NPR: Remembering Thich Nhat Hanh, Brother Thay https://onbeing.org/series/podcast/ If you missed the eulogy for Thay offered by Sr True Dedication on behalf of the monastic sangha you may want to watch it as part of an Upper Hamlet Plum Village Intimate Tribute with Music, Poetry + Readings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mINKCPWpgds
May all beings be well – Bethan
