Gathering: October 28, 2012

Today's talk focused on the luxury of doing nothing.  We are so busy that we rarely make time to just sit.  When we are given the opportunity to do nothing, many of us aren't able to take advantage of this time, and instead allow our habit energies to keep us moving, doing, struggling - unable to truly stop.

A lively discussion followed on many topics including: western culture's focus on always being productive; the school system creating students who are stressed out with very narrow experiences; the importance of the sangha to support each other in doing nothing.

My favourite story was about one of our sangha members out with some workmates.  They all began to discuss what they would have done differently in their lives if they had their time back.  As they went around the circle, most of the women said they would have gone to university and become a doctor or a lawyer, but our friend said she would have moved to Hawaii when she turned 18, learned to surf and spent the rest of her life living on the beach teaching surfing lessons.  Her workmates dismissed this as a joke.  But why not?  Would going to university, with all the debt and stress that involves, to get a high-stress, fast-paced job really make your life better?  Why is it unimaginable to choose to have low-stress, no debt, live in paradise, and do what you love?

Gathering: October 21, 2012

After sitting, walking, and mindful movements, we listened to a recorded talk by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Today Thay reminded us that walking meditation can be a very useful practice for beginners.  Walking slowly, we take one step as we breathe in, and one step as we breathe out.  We focus on our breathing, and on walking mindfully and peacefully.

You Can Do It

Walking meditation is practicing meditation while walking.  It can bring you joy and peace while you practice it.  Take short steps in complete relaxation; go slowly with a smile on your lips, with your heart open to an experience of peace.  You can feel truly at ease with yourself.  Your steps can be those of the healthiest, most secure person on earth.  All sorrows and worries can drop away while you are walking.  To have peace of mind, to attain self-liberation, learn to walk in this way.  It is not difficult.  You can do it.  Anyone can do it who has some degree of mindfulness and a true intention to be happy.

(excerpt from "A Guide to Walking Meditation" by Thich Nhat Hanh)

Sangha Update: Fall 2012

The Waves and Water Sangha have continued to meet every Sunday at the Dalhousie Multifaith Centre for over a year.  Yay us!

We have a core group of four who share the responsibility of leading the group through sitting and walking meditation, mindful movements, and a discussion.  The first Sunday of every month we perform the "Five Mindfulness Recitation Ceremony" which is an excellent introduction to our practice.  This format has been very successful, and we hope it will continue to work well for us this coming year.

As always, we are happy to welcome newcomers at any time.  We are a casual bunch, with various levels of experience, just happy to have a group to sit with.  Please email for details:  info@wavesandwatersangha.com

Sangha Returns

After a long hiatus, the Waves and Water Sangha has begun to meet regularly again. Beginning on October 2, 2011 we have been meeting every Sunday morning at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact Carrie at info@wavesandwatersangha.com for an introduction to our practice.

Fifth Mindfulness Training

Looking back at the blog, I realize that I never posted the 5th of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Here it is for your contemplation:

The Fifth Mindfulness Training

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I will ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.

Workplace Practice

"We can begin creating a "workplace Sangha" by practicing love and understanding with co-workers - seeing each person as a beloved brother or sister. We can embody the mindfulness practice in our relationship with them by practicing flower-watering in our daily interactions. We can practice walking meditation every time we move through a corridor.

If possible, we can sit, walk, or eat mindfully together with one other person during our breaks. Some people put a screen saver on their computer to remind them to stop and return to their breathing. Others have introduced the bell of mindfulness and telephone meditation practices into their workplaces, and have even found a way to set aside time during staff meetings."

Excerpt from "Friends on the Path" by Thich Nhat Hanh

Peace in the World

Spirituality in the 21st Century: Part 3

"We suffered tremendously during the twentieth century. Individualism prevailed. Families were broken up, society was deeply divided. That is why if the twenty-first century is to be a spiritual century, it should be built by the spirit of togetherness, where we do things together, we do everything together. When you live in a community, you learn how to see the Sangha body, the Sanghakaya, as your own body.

Whether we live in Amsterdam, London, Munich or New York, it is our role to build a Sangha. We need each other to practice solidity, freedom, and compassion, and with our practice we can remind people in our society that there is always hope, the blue sky is always there, the Kingdom of Heaven is always at hand. We should walk and breathe in such a way that the Kingdom of Heaven, the Pure Land of the Buddha, is available in every step, in every breath. This is what we should do."

(From transcriptions of talks given by TNH in Plum Village, December 2001.)