This Sunday, May 5th

Thich Nhat Hanh wrote that "every Buddhist practitioner should be a protector of the environment" (from The World We Have, A Buddhist Approach to Peace and Ecology).  Marge will facilitate and introduce the Earth Holder Bodhisattva and the Earth Peace Treaty Commitment Sheet.  Please consider contemplating the treaty this week before we meet.

This Sunday, April 28th

Keith will led us in reciting the Five Mindfulness Trainings.

After sangha, anyone who would like to eat mindfully together and build our OHS community, we will meet for dinner at Zia's Pizza around 6:30pm.

This Sunday, April 21st

The topic for sangha will be the Bodhisattva of Deep Listening and Compassion.  Loretta will include the chant Namo 'valokiteshvaraya, using a DVD from her visit to Plum Village.

This Sunday, April 14th

This Sunday at our regular gathering we will continue with the care of the earth theme that Pete and our teacher Thich Nhat Hanh brought to us last week. Thay wrote that "every Buddhist practitioner should be a protector of the environment" (from The World We Have, A Buddhist Approach to Peace and Ecology). Marge will introduce the Earth Holder Bodhisattva and the Earth Peace Treaty Commitment Sheet, and we will contemplate our own personal role in caring for the planet as we approach Earth Day, April 22.

This Sunday, April 7th

This Sunday we will have the opportunity to spend 20 minutes with Thich Nhat Hanh via videotape. In this portion of a Dharma talk from last year he explores, among other things, "The Practice of Non-Practice.” If the equipment works as expected we will not only get to hear Thay talk about this practice but also see him actually doing it/demonstrating it right there for us.

This Sunday, March 10th

Loretta will be facilitating sangha and will be doing a "Touching the Earth" Ceremony. Please bring a yoga mat, towel, or blanket on which to lie while touching the earth. She will also be doing a mini deep relaxation mediation, so wear clothing that is comfortable for these activities. Fortunately, we will have extra space to spread out since we will be meeting in Bard Hall on this Sunday which is in the large room on the main floor (there will be signs pointing the way). As always, sharing our practice strengthens it, so we look forward to seeing you there.

This Sunday, February 24th

Marge will led us in reciting the Five Mindfulness Trainings.

This Sunday, February 10th

Heather will lead us in the our practice with the Fifth of the Five Mindfulness Trainings:

The Fifth Mindfulness Training: Nourishment and Healing
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 practice looking deeply into how I consume the Four Kinds of Nutriments, namely edible foods, sense impressions, volition, and consciousness. I am determined not to gamble, or to use alcohol, drugs, or any other products which contain toxins, such as certain websites, electronic games, TV programs, films, magazines, books, and conversations. I will practice coming back to the present moment to be in touch with the refreshing, healing and nourishing elements in me and around me, not letting regrets and sorrow drag me back into the past nor letting anxieties, fear, or craving pull me out of the present moment. I am determined not to try to cover up loneliness, anxiety, or other suffering by losing myself in consumption. I will contemplate interbeing and consume in a way that preserves peace, joy, and well-being in my body and consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family, my society and the Earth.

This Sunday, February 3rd

Dmitry will lead us in discussion and some interactive exercises exploring the topics of anger and using nonviolent communication to resolve conflicts.

The Fourth of the Five Mindfulness Trainings: Loving Speech and Deep Listening
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to speaking truthfully using words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope. When anger is manifesting in me, I am determined not to speak. I will practice mindful breathing and walking in order to recognize and to look deeply into my anger. I know that the roots of anger can be found in my wrong perceptions and lack of understanding of the suffering in myself and in the other person. I will speak and listen in a way that can help myself and the other person to transform suffering and see the way out of difficult situations. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to utter words that can cause division or discord. I will practice Right Diligence to nourish my capacity for understanding, love, joy, and inclusiveness, and gradually transform anger, violence, and fear that lie deep in my consciousness.

This Sunday, January 27th

Keith will lead us in reciting the Five Mindfulness Trainings.