If I do not have a self then who am I? This question is not one with one answer, but an eternal question life asks of us in each moment. Right now, who are you? This question offers us the possibility to meet each person, object and situation with openess, curiosity and fun!

Breathing I see myself as still water
Breathing out I reflect all that is.

This is because we are meeting Saturday 21st for the day of meditation.

A couple of future Sundays the group are not meeting are Sunday 19th April and Sunday 3rd May 2009.

Following the reading from Pema Chodron ‘When things fall Apart’ and the group discussion I have spent much of this week watching my little dramas unfold when I have been nailed by life!  To simply stay with the body experience of anger or frustration rather than act out is suprisingly difficult. Not only that, but how much my life is spent in these ’soap operas’, dragging my disatisfaction with life around with me, grumbling that the universe is not bending to my will. Sense of Humour definitley needed to work with this practice.

With a deep bow

John

During Deep Listening there were different experiences from the meditation practice and comparisons as individuals (me too!)  judged their own performance.  One of the Attributes of Mindfulness that can be cultivated during practice is ‘Letting Go,’ which encourages us to relax into our life as it is. This type of relaxation does not need life/meditation to be perfect, simply that we can release ourselves from our ego driven expectations. This seed of freedom can be grown and nutured, enabling us to live our lives fully, unchained from the critical and judgemental thoughts we are often slaves to.

A warm smile to you.

This practice is important both as a place to share without the need to explain and to notice how we are affected by others. To be heard and accepted is a a rare and valuable experience.  This part of our evening is the culmination of our work together as a group and the level of trust and openess shown was wonderful.

Taking refuge is a fundamental teaching in Buddhism, I really feel we can all take refuge in the Horsham Sangha for support in our lives and practice. Thankyou.