The Dharma discussion followed a reading on the Four Nutriments that lead to Happiness or Suffering. They were edible food, sense impressions, intention and conciousness. To bring mindfulness to how we feed ourselves, our families and society offers the opportunity to bring our practice into daily life. Just as with the Five Mindfulness Trainings (Precepts), these are not simply rules to adhere to, they are opportunities for liberation from our habitual states of mind. Be curious and stay with your experience at the point of discomfort, often when we fill the void with all the stuff modern life offers us.

Even just for one minute, stay and offer a deep bow to genuine human experience rather than the synthetic replacements we believe will alleviate our suffering. This practice offers the path to genuine, enduring joy rather than the temporary pleasure and escapism unwholesome nutiments offer.

A wonderful evening, sharing sitting and walking meditation together. The Sangha is a place of refuge, for individuals to find support and understanding.

We read from ‘The Heart of the Buddhas Teaching’, how our Habit Energies, the “horse” that carries us through life, can prevent us from taking the time to take care of ourselves. The teaching is simple, yet so illusive in the business of our lives. A daily practice helps brings us back to this teaching, reminding us that there is nowhere to go, nothing to become, simply to be all that we are in this moment.

Hi all, here is an overview of the format for Sunday evenings for your information.

Following the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh , after brief introductions the group practice a Guided Meditation followed by Walking Meditation. We then discuss personal meditation experience and technique. After a tea break the group sit in silence followed by a reading from Buddhist teachings. The group then can discuss the reading and silent meditation experience, looking at how they can bring this practice into their daily lives. The group ends at 9pm. Hope this helps.

Warm regards

John