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Hello dear friends –

I always think that May is the month that teaches us weather impermanence – especially after such a warm sunny end to April! We have a lot of room for enjoying the present moment – however much it might be raining or blowing cold.

We are moving from the Four Establishments of Mindfulness to the Five Faculties that, with practice, become the Five Powers: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration and insight.

As Thay writes in The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings, we all have the seeds of these faculties within us but we need to nurture them! “Practicing the Five Powers is a matter of cultivating the earth of our store consciousness and sowing and watering good seeds.”

For the month of May, we will explore “faith” as a Buddhist concept and a practice. It is the great generator of energy. We will look at the role faith plays in our socially engaged Buddhist practice with social and environmental justice.

This week we will have the Ceremony for the Recitation of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Thay will help us understand the Five Powers on our second Thursday. We will have an eco-sattva practice focused on faith for the third Thursday and musical Dharma on the fourth Thursday.

Here are some links from our study and practice last month. Enjoy!

Breathing with you and breaking the silence: a teaching by Brother Phap Hai

Reconnecting with Mother Earth : a guided meditation by Sister True Dedication (Sister Hien Nghiêm)

It Won’t Always Be This Way : a song by Brother Peace

You may want to see what is happening in Plum Village International practice centres

Plum Village Monasteries and Sanghas are also involved in an initiative from the United States: May we gather : a national Buddhist memorial ceremony for Asian American ancestors. Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 4 pm PDT.

Free online webinar on Making Visible
Author Chenxing Han will present a talk based on her recently published book, Be the Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian American Buddhists. May 12, 2021, 4 – 5:30 pm PDT. Registration required.

Dear friends,

We are very grateful to participate in this special gathering, hosted by Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver on Sunday April 25 , 6:30-8 pm.
Below is the invitation and information about the practice from MPC. We hope you can join us.

Special Gathering: Practicing with Anti-Asian Racism

In light of the suffering caused by the upsurge in anti-Asian racism in Atlanta, Canada, and elsewhere, and in the spirit of Engaged Buddhism, MPC Vancouver will be co-hosting this special practice with our sister sangha, Waves and Water Sangha.

We will be working with this reading: This Is My Home, by Judy Nakatomi, Lotus Institute board member (organization lead by Order of Interbing Dharma Teacher Larry Ward).

Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver has moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic! In the time of social distancing, mindfulness practice and sangha building is more important than ever. Please join MPC Vancouver via Zoom.

Time: 6:30 – 8:00p (NOTE: 90 minutes, not the usual 60 minutes)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86595977767
Meeting ID: 865 9597 7767
Passcode: To be posted a mindfulnessvancouver.org about ten minutes prior to meeting start time.

Good evening dear friends

We have had a wonderful four months practicing with the Four Establishments of Mindfulness. Last week Susu offered a wonderful Dharma Talk as we completed practicing with Mindfulness of Objects of Mind in Objects of Mind. As part of our second hour she presented a segment of a talk by Senior Dharma Teacher Larry Ward: The Four Establishments of Mindfulness : Tools for Consciously Transforming the Colonial Mind.

In April we will continue our practice of bringing mindfulness practice into the areas of social justice, diversity, de-colonization and anti-racism work.

The first Thursday of the month – April 1st – we will recite the Contemplations on the Five Mindfulness Trainings, A New Paradigm For Racial Justice and the Global Pandemic. Our Dharma discussion will allow for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour to meet separately in break out groups and then to meet again in the full Sangha for discussion.

The next four weeks will include teachings on mindfulness practice and social justice, including more of Larry Ward’s two-part teaching.

DAY OF MINDFULNESS EASTER SUNDAY (April 4th)
We will be offering a Zoom Day of Mindfulness from 10 am to 3 pm this coming Sunday. We will have our usual practices of sitting and walking meditation, Sutra Service, Formal Lunch, Dharma talk and Dharma discussion with possible deep relaxation and outdoor walking (on our own or through the magic of youTube).

You are welcome to join us for any part of the practice! All are welcome. You will receive a schedule and a password when you register at wwsangha@gmail.com .  By donation.

Practice songs and chants: Last month, Christiane nourished us deeply with offering the Insight Sutra and the Realm of the Mind. The links are below. We will be continuing our study of the Dharma through music each month.

:

The Realm of the Mind

Dear Friends

Could it be that our last blog post was in September 2020? We hope that you have been sustained and nourished by your practice of loving kindness and compassion during these difficult months of the global pandemic. Each day, the light lasts a little longer. May your seeds of happiness be touched by the fresh spring air.

Although unable to gather in person, our sangha has continued our Thursday evening practice via Zoom. The continuing presence of our community, even in virtual space, has been a source of joy and strength for our sangha members. A deep bow of gratitude to all. For the friends who would like to begin practicing on Zoom, here is the information on how to join us.

As always, the first Thursday of the month is dedicated to reciting the Five Mindfulness Trainings. This Thursday (March 4), we will be holding a full ceremony for the recitation.

For the past few months, we have been studying and practicing with the Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness, centering on the book Transformation and Healing by Thich Nhat Hanh. In March, we will be studying the fourth Establishment, mindfulness of the objects of mind in the objects of mind while also touching on the 52 mental formations.

On the third Thursday, Christiane will lead us through practice songs related to mindfulness (and transformation) of the mind in the mind.

On the fourth Thursday, we will look deeply into mindfulness as social justice practice, specifically in the areas of anti-racism, de-colonization and Indigenization. We will present a talk by Dharma Teacher Larry Ward on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness as tools for consciously transforming the colonial mind.

We understand that Zoom practice is not ideal for many practitioners. In these blog posts, we hope to offer you a range of alternatives to support and ground your practice during these challenging times – including sharing the resources from our Thursday night gatherings.

Resource to share from last month’s practice : Taking care of anger — a short teaching video by Thich Nhat Hanh.

The Raft is a special bi-weekly series, assembled by the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation, Plum Village Monastery, Parallax Press, and the Plum Village App team to help keep you grounded and connected. The series includes short videos, articles, interviews with monastic and lay practitioners and announcements of virtual practice sessions and retreats. Click here to subscribe.

For wholesome entertainment : Spirited Away is a Japanese anime film that offers many Buddhist teachings. The 2001 film is considered by some to be the best animated film ever – and it is available on Netflix as well as the Vancouver and Burnaby Public Libraries. Aside from being a beautifully made film, it is great fun to look for Buddhist characters such as the hungry ghost, Avalokita, manifestation of craving, fruits of loving kindness practice and so on. Bethan and Susu recommend!

From the Earth Holders Community : practice session “Earth Mother Love” with facilitator and Dharma Teacher, Michael Ciborski. With songs, guided meditations and Dharma talk, Michael offers a practice on interbeing awareness. Click here to watch.

Waves and Water Sangha Caretaking Council is committed to supporting your practice and your wellbeing, especially if you are currently unable to join us in virtual space. We welcome your thoughts on how we could better support your practice. We would also love for you to share resources that have sustained you. You can reach us at : wwsangha@gmail.com

May you be happy, safe and free from suffering.

­Good evening dear friends

Here we are in the early days of autumn. Rain! So lovely to have the air clean and fresh….

After discussions in Sangha and among the Caretaking Committee, we have recognized it is not possible to return to the Zendo at this time. We acknowledge our deep desire to return to that precious space and to be in-person-present to each other. At the same time, very  few people were willing to commit to in-person gatherings. [Deep breath.]

We will continue with our Zoom gatherings each Thursday – there is a most wonderful core group gathering in the Zoom Zendo each week! And we ask for any suggestions you might have for safe in-person gatherings – even two or three together – at times other than Thursdays.

We would like to remind every one of our protocols for entering our Zoom space. If you have not been attending our Thursday practice, please e-mail us to let us know you are intending to come (wwsangha@gmail.com). You can give us your Zoom name and (if you are new to Waves and Water Sangha) we can have a short e-mail conversation.

If we do not recognize your Zoom name when you arrive in the Waiting Room we will ask to CHAT with you – please watch out for that message. For everyone who comes into the Zoom Zendo, we also ask that you turn on your video and display your name (e.g. not iPod!). In rare instances you might display a photograph of yourself. In this way, we recognize each other’s presence and we nourish our sense of safety and community.

May we and all beings be well

The link for the Zoom meditation for each Thursday’s Sangha meeting (6:50-9:00 Pacific Time).

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89551327240

Meeting ID: 895 5132 7240
Password: 891639

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcJTaAG3iR

Good evening again, dear friends

Today we received Mountain Rain’s (draft) protocol for returning to the Zendo. It is extensive and will require some significant leadership from Sangha members. It’s great that Mountain Rain is looking after our  health and well-being. At the same time, we need to consider the contributions that will need to be made by core members.

Also, they suggest that practitioners over 60 (especially those with risk factors) should seriously consider whether they should attend only by Zoom. Given that Bethan is 71 and has compromised lungs, it is likely she will not be able to be in the Zendo although she is committed to Zoom!

We will need to sit with the question of what needs to happen for the Sangha’s return to be possible. Since we will not be able to go back to the Zendo before October 1^st, we have some time. It is very important that those who would like to return to the Zendo let us know as soon as possible what level of commitment they can make (wwsangha@gmail.com). We will need to have 8-10 practitioners on site each week (and some folk offering dana from Zoom) for this to work.

Please know we are very open to suggestions and we believe that the Sangha community will always exist no matter how or where we practice!

In gratitude….

Good afternoon dear friends –

What beautiful fresh and sunny days we are having right now! So beautiful for walking. And how wonderful to be gathering again now it is September! We will have a chance to greet each other and catch up a bit on what is happening in our lives and with our practice. We will also be able to discuss and clarify how we will be meeting now that the Zendo will soon be opening.

Thursday, September 3, will still be a Zoom meeting as we recite the Five Mindfulness Trainings followed by Dharma discussion.

The Zoom link and password remain the same. This information can also be found at : http://wavesandwater.org/site/sangha/about/thursday/

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89551327240
Meeting ID: 895 5132 7240
Password: 891639

Over the last couple of months, Mountain Rain Zen Community has developed a protocol for meeting in the Zendo beginning perhaps September 10. Here are some key points of the protocol for meeting in person:

First, there will be WIFI and we are committed to continuing with ZOOM for friends who want to join us from Alberta, Nanaimo, the North Shore – and anywhere else. This includes folk who simply find it more comfortable right now to meet on the internet.

As we indicated previously, please ensure that you identify yourself by using video, displaying a photograph, or displaying your full name so we have a sense of safety and community. We will have two or three computers in the Zendo so everyone can be “present” and Zoom users will be able to see not only each other but also those in the Zendo.

Second, there will be a limit of 12 people in the Zendo at any one time. We will need to have everyone who wants to meet in the Zendo to contact us as early as possible OR before 5:00 on Thursdays to either reserve a place or find out we are fully booked: wwsangha@gmail.com. It would be very helpful if you could respond as soon as possible if you plan to attend even irregularly!

We hope that a solid core group will commit to all Thursdays, or first Thursdays, or Thursdays in October, etc. We will nourish each other and the Sangha by coming together as a community.

Our program over the next two months will include Dharma talks from two Plum Village monastics:
Sister Peace: Cultivating Love & Peace for Racial Healing
Sister Tam Muoi: Racial Justice: What can White people do?

You may be interested in an article by Sister Annabel in Lion’s Roar: Thich Nhat Hanh at home in Vietnam: https://www.lionsroar.com/thich-nhat-hanh-at-home-in-vietnam

Also, the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation has a biweekly e-mail called THE RAFT that provides a varied selection practice resources: thichnhathanhfoundation.org/the-raft

With warm wishes for your health and well-being –

Good morning dear friends!

On Thursday evening we will have our final Sangha gathering of the summer. We will meet again September 3^rd. That may be in person (and by Zoom) in the Mountain Rain Zendo or it may be by Zoom alone…. Please watch out for the blog message as well as the front page of the website.

Tomorrow evening (July 30) those of us who can will meet at Mountain View Cemetery at 6:45 to practice at a safe distance. Here are some things good to know about meeting at Mountain View 5455 Fraser Street Vancouver:

1/ Both the washrooms and the road gates close at 7:30 BUT we do not need to leave. We do need to make sure we park our vehicles on neighbouring streets so we are not locked in!

2/ The two main entrances are from 41^st Avenue at St. George Street and Fraser Street at 39^th  Avenue.

3/ Please come to the Main Building (straight in from 39^th) where we will meet. We will walk to the fountain (south and west from the Main Building) to begin our practice. Someone will stay at the Main Building until 7:10.

4/ We will plan to  practice until 9:00 – however due to the lack of washrooms after 7:30 we will understand anyone needing to leave early!

Those of us who cannot make it – Please join Rebecca and others in an hour of individual practice – two periods of sitting and walking, some tea, perhaps some reading or chanting or deep relaxation.

We would appreciate knowing who plans to attend so we can keep an eye out for you! (wwsangha@gmail.com)

Offering love and compassion to all beings –

We will meet again in September

Good afternoon dear friends

This evening we will have our usual sitting, walking, sitting, walking with the inclusion of the Great Bell Chant with Thay and Br Phap Nien at the beginning of each sit. In the second hour we will have a variety of chants and practice songs with video from both monastic and lay practitioners.

We will meet by Zoom on Thursdays for the rest of July. As is our tradition, in August we will not meet.

It is possible on September 3rd we will be back in the Mountain Rain Zendo – at least some of us meeting face-to-face. There are no firm plans from Mountain Rain yet, but there is an intention. We will be in touch through the blogposts in the last week of August to let everyone know if this is happening and how it will happen. We will almost certainly have practitioners sign in so we can control numbers for physical distancing.

We are hoping that once we are back in the Zendo we will be able to continue with Zoom for those who cannot come to Sangha in person. Currently there is no wifi in the Zendo but that may change….

May we practice together with grace and ease.

Bethan

Good afternoon dear friends

Last evening we practiced with Thay’s story about writing the poem “Dedication,” read the poem itself, and listened to the practice song that put the poem to music: “Alone again” This may be found at https://plumvillage.org/articles/blog/poems-of-thay/alone-again-song-recommendation-thays-poetry/

We also listened to Dharma teacher Larry Ward’s poem and video talk “USA: The business that became a country.” This may be found at <https://www.thelotusinstitute.org/blog/thebusinessthatbecameacountry>

Our hearts were full!

Next week – July 2 – we will recite the Five Mindfulness Trainings developed by Marisela Gomez and Valerie Brown and supported by ARISE Sangha:
Contemplations on the Five Mindfulness Trainings, a new paradigm for racial justice and the global pandemic: “Let us open to a new and deeper way of understanding the Five Mindfulness Trainings, guiding principles for mindful and ethical living, which call us toward individual and collective awakening, compassion, and peace. We are aware that we are interconnected. What happens in Wuhan, China affects people in New York City. What happens to the Black body affects all bodies. We are called forward.” https://arisesangha.org/june-2020-special-newsletter

And on June 9 we will bring practice songs and offer them to each other! Please let us know at wwsangha@gmail.com what songs you might like to offer OR simply ask the Sangha to sing! We will have words and folk who are willing to teach the songs.

We are changing one of our Zoom practices – we will begin next week! There will be a waiting room that you enter when you use the meeting ID and the password. Someone will be in the waiting room to allow you to enter. It is important that we see who you are so please turn on your video. If you are uncomfortable having your image present throughout Sangha please try to have a background, preferably one that includes your face, if you turn off video.

We will no longer be admitting those who log in without a face to begin with and then a name and image to carry on. This is partly for security reasons but also because we come together to practice in community and we cannot “commune” so well with “iPhone on a black background”!

Please join us – and let us know if you need any help getting on-line.
With a smiling bow, Bethan