Arriving on Thursday evening we began our retreat with a group sharing and evening practice where we entered formal silence for the retreat. After morning practice on Friday the brave few were led by Judy through mindful movement stick exercises on the frosty ground.  Later in the morning we listened to Thays Dharma talk about starting the winter retreat at Plum village, how the practice of Touching the Earth does not need to be confined to ceremony, that each step we take can be part of this practice. Also, how the earth itself can be experienced as a Bodhisattva, extending our practice of love to include all elements, not just other human beings. We enjoyed a walk together in the crisp winter air and enjoyed meeting horses, sheep and an irritated farmer as we wended our way through the sussex countryside. Judy then led the Sounding session where we experienced our voice through sounding together, a powerful sharing not relying on the content of words. Dharma discussion gave us the opportunity to reflect on our practice before we shared the evening meal and meditations.

Saturday morning began with Mindful movement ( brrrr!) and our usual routine of breakfast and working meditation. By now we were all settling into the silence while the connection between us all deepened. Later in the morning we held a guided outdoor walking meditation where we allowed ourselves to be blindfolded and led by an unknown guide. A wonderful experience of trust and rediscovering the grounds of Micklepage without our sight. The afternoon offered walks, cakes and a silent sitting before we came together again for Dharma discussion and our evening practice.

As with everyday on the retreat we began Sunday with the morning chant, the remainder of the session in silence. Dylan led a wonderful workshop on combining meditation with art. We drew the flowers before us in whatever format we felt best reflected how we experienced the flowers, free from expectations or the need to show our work we were free to be creative and have fun. Then the unexpected twist, we were to consign our work to the flames of the ever present log burning stove. As we each gave up our work to the flames there was a mixture of sadness, libersation and simply letting go. We came together for a final sharing of our experiences and then ended the formal silence with photos, informal hugging meditations and a convivial lunch.

Thank you to all who came and shared for a wonderful 3 days of silence and shared practice.

Due to the Sangha winter retreat there will not be a Sangha meeting next Sunday.

The guided meditation from Blooming of the Lotus helped us to relax and settle into our sitting. After walking we invited the lovely iron bell from the Brighton Sangha with the evening chant. After tea the reading from Being Peace was Thay sharing his poem and understanding of how people become who they are. That compassion helps us to clearly see what needs to be done rather than favouring one person over another.

Dharma discussion included sharing of difficulties in maintaining a sitting practice and how we need to be kind to ourselves, while at the same time sticking with it. Also, that the Sangha needs input from all members to ensure the practice is a shared, rich experience rather than led by just one individual. All wonderful sharings, as our Sangha grows and develops.

Dear Sangha

We are meeting as usual on Sunday 8th January. The following meeting will be on Sunday 22nd January due to the Sangha winter retreat.

After a brief guided meditation, the evening chant led us into a silent sitting, followed by a reading from ‘Being Peace’. Thay was investigating how we seperate meditation on the cushion and meditation in our daily lives. That if we practice sitting meditation for one hour, this should be for all 24 hours. Our practice is not an individual matter and can percolate into all aspects of how we live or lives. Also, that it is the quality of our practice not the quantity that matters. Each step in walking meditation, every time we make a cup of tea or answer a phone, are opportunities to recite gathas and come back to our true home.

Dharma discussion was centered around how we deal with strong feelings and finding a skillful middle way to transform them. Also, how we can only be where we are in our practice and to accept ourselves with kindness, while accepting the support of Sangha and Teachers to help us stay with the practice of mindfulness, especially when circumstances are difficult.

Happy New Year to everyone.

I hope you are all well. I was thinking about the fact we were missing next Sunday as a Sangha meeting, as it is New Years Day. I realised a wonderful way to spend part of New Years Day would to be with the Sangha.
It brought up the question ‘What is my Practice?’. Is it a club I belong to, is it a once a week thing, is it just one more thing I do in the week…..? So easily sidelined because the diary says New Years Day! An interesting question to ponder on as we enter a New Year.
 
Anyhow, I wholeheartedly invite you to come and practice on Sunday evening, New Years Day, arrive 6.45 as normal for 7pm start. I appreciate you may have made other plans and this is a little late in the day. Do come if you can, a New Years resolution in action

with a deep bow, John

The last formal Sangha meeting of the year we began with a guided meditation from ‘Blooming of the Lotus’, establishing a solid, peaceful and happy Sangha. After walking, the evening chant took us to a silent sitting meditation, a simple quiet space where we could just enjoy our breathing, enjoy being alive.

The reading from ‘Being Peace’ reminded us that going to a meditation centre was to support our re-entry into society, that our practice is not an individual matter, but one for our family, friends and the world around us. It was lovely to welcome Jane and Arthur to the Sangha and to for Amy to join us with Earl.

The first Sangha meeting of the New Year is 8th January with the winter retreat over the following weekend. Happy Christmas, may we all touch the wonderful ground of understanding that is always present in life, if we take the time to see it. A tree, non-headache, being with loved ones, all there for us. As Thay says, the Kingdom of Heaven is available in the here and now, where are you?

After checking in we practiced the Love meditation, wishing ourselves, loved ones, people who we have found difficult and the wider world well. Both a nourishing and challenging practice.  After walking meditation we enjoyed 15 minutes of mindful breathing.

Dharma discussionwas interesting in that there was an extended period of silence. After enquiring into the nature of this, most shared they simply felt at ease enjoying their breathing and listening to the rain. Sharings also included discussion on how it feels to be on the ‘right’ path, and how this can lead to a sense of desire, to  be aiming towards something. Is this OK, to have this desire, this aim? As with all practice, we can look deeply into this question through our lived experience, dwelling in the present moment.

Three intrepid followers of the way met earlier than usual to deepen our Practice together. We practiced inviting the Bell, offering incense and chanting together. A wonderful spacious time together.

Later the rest of the Sangha came together and we enjoyed our Practice together. After Owen made the incense offering we settled into a guided meditation on breath and body. Walking meditation was followed by the evening chant and silent sitting. After tea we continued reading from Thays ‘Being Peace’ followed by Dharma discussion. There was a real sense of the Sangha practicing together, being together.

Dear Friends, as we are spending time together walking and sharing lunch this Sunday there will not be a meeting in the evening. If you can come, 10.30 Denne Road car park for a local walk and lunch.