There was some discussion on Sunday about how our relationship to pain or discomfort can be part of Practice. To be able to stay with the present moment, particularly in times of difficulty or challenge, offers the opportunity to deepen our experience of life; To see more clearly.

Mindfulness in our everyday life can help to stay ‘experiencing’, to be how we are, rather than ‘having the experience’ and being seperated from our life. To do this, notice what dramas are created in your mind when you are challenged by life this week, and practice returning to the bare experience of each moment. It can help to label your thoughts and use your breath to anchor you in your body.  With a deep bow, John.

Hi everyone

I wanted to share the verses used for the guided meditation on Sunday to help support your practice. These Five Rememberances, from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, help to identify and look deeply into fear of change and impermenance.

I am of the nature to grow old,  There is no way to escape growing old.

I am of the nature to have ill health, There is no way to escape having ill health.

I am of the nature to die, There is no way to escape death.

All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change, There is no way to escape being seperated from them.

I inherit the results of my actions in body, speech and mind, My actions are the ground on which I stand.

This can be receited as part of your daily practice or used as a silent meditation.

John

Hi everyone

I wanted to quote a line from the reading on Sunday to help support our practice. So often we are trying to have a ‘good’meditation’ or to improve ourselves, add something extra that will make life better. This simple line points the way:

Enlightenment is not something you acheive, it is the absence of something

When you are practicing, do not attempt to acheive, or to be absent, take this opportunity to be no-one, going nowhere.

Warm regards

John

The Horsham Sangha is running a day to practice Zen Meditation and Mindful living. This will be held on Saturday 21^st March from 9.45 – 4.00pm at Lavinia House, Duke Square (off Denne Road) in Horsham.

The day will include introductions to sitting, walking and guided meditations. Talks will give a background to Mindfulness and Zen practice, showing how these skills can be used in daily life. No meditation experience is required and the day should appeal to all levels.

Payment for the day is made by contribution based on individual affordability. A suggested level is £20.00 for the fully waged and £10.00 for the low / unwaged, however do not let cost be a barrier to you coming.

To book a place or for more details, please contact John Moore via the website or by telephone.

Hi everyone

I was really struck by the experience of the guided meditation on Sunday. How following your breath with a simple verse can feed the soul. While Zazen (sitting meditation) is the bedrock of practice, the guided meditations help to nourish and support us, as a reminder of what is available in this moment. Here are the verses as taught by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh for you to practice with, using the key words / phrases on the in breath and out breath:

Breathing in I know I am breathing in, Breathing out I know I am breathing out……………..In - Out

Breathing in my breath grows deep, breathing out my breath goes slowly………..Deep - Slow

Breathing in I feel calm, breathing out I feel at ease…………Calm - Ease

Breathing in I smile, breathing out I feel at ease………..Smile - Ease

Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment……………..Present Moment - Wonderful Moment.

I hope this supports you in the Practice, Warm regards  John.