Events
7 week class starting in February 2009
Hope, change and renewal through Buddhist Practice Wednesdays - 7 PM to 8:45 PM
I first heard the words of the Dharma from the lips of Ruth Denison at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA., in 1977. I felt like I was hearing the "music of the Spheres", thoughts that made sense, that were right, true and healing for me. They give me hope, a sense of renewal, and a feeling that healing for myself and the planet were really possible.
As we move forward into this new year, with our new President, and a "New America" as some are calling it, I hope you will join me in exploring you own potential to awaken and participate in the changes to come. Many have said that we can only participate in values such as peace, compassion and true understanding to the degree we have internalized these values. Thinking about it is not enough. Understanding and Practicing our Buddhist teachings and letting them live through our person, through our lives, is what is required.
I hope that you will join our group experience of re-entering the dharma once again in this current day and age when the fate of our planet actually hangs in the balance. Joanna Macy has told us that " the Earth is calling us home to our true Nature". Can Earth be healed and reborn through us?
I remember Alice Walker saying at LBS, "Anything we love can be saved". We will begin by taking REFUGE and opening our minds and hearts to the potential inside us to Awaken to our true nature, to the teachings of Buddhism, and of course to our community of mindful harmony with the hope that we will nurture it as we will be nurtured by it. We will explore the 4 NOBLE TRUTHS.... the Awakening of the Buddha, and re-visit its importance and relevance for our lives.
We will be supported by selections from a book called Dharma, Color, and Culture edited by Hilda Gutierrez Baldoquin. You may remember her, she is a Soto Zen Priest and has spoken at LBS. The book is a gathering of Dharma stories written by people of color. For me they are powerful examples of how our individual and collective pain can truly be healed through dharma practice and specifically the 4 NOBLE TRUTHS, Buddha's insight upon awakening. Truly a gift to our community.
Each session will consist of 30 minutes of briefly guided mindfulness meditation, focussing on creating balance, insight and equanimity in our lives. There will be a brief presentation of the weeks dharma topic, and discussion. Meetings may occasionally be supplemented by use of imagery, and simple ritual. There will be weekly readings provided. There is no Fee. The practice of generosity (DANA) will be encouraged, the Buddhist practice of giving from the heart.
WHEN: Feb 11-March 25 Wednesdays 7 PM to 8:45 PM (7 weeks -7 Wednesdays.)
WHERE: Berkeley, contact Carol for address
Please let me know via email to Carolnewh@aol.com if you would like to participate. Limited - to 8 /10 women.
For more information on the nuns visit www.saranaloka.org