Monday, October 26, we will meet online.
Greetings, dear Sangha,
This week, we will meet Monday evening, October 26, from 7-8:30PM ET online; Wednesday morning, October 28, from 7-8AM ET in person at our meditation space (3812 Northampton Street NW); and Friday, October 30, 12-1PM ET online.
On Monday, our evening meditation will be facilitated by Ellen. She shares:
This Monday we will meet online to read the Fifth Mindfulness Training from Thich Nhat Hanh. I’ve always found this particular training to be piercing–one that touches me deeply in ways that are inspiring, challenging, and comforting all at once.
This training grounds us in what it means to be mindful in all the various ways we consume. These days, we can be overwhelmed by the endless flow of information, promotions, offers, ideas, etc. We have a choice in how we apply mindfulness to our daily consumption.
I recently spent several days in upstate New York near the Catskills helping a relative prepare her large gardens for a wedding. Every day, we heard amazing birds. As the sun began to go down, we were struck by the stunning light shining on a beautiful tall tree of yellow leaves. That kind of nature consumption is so restorative and regenerative. I want to make a point of consuming nature more.
For me, this is also a training that lays down very firm explicit guidelines and limitations. I recall our sangha leaders introducing the trainings in the past by noting that the Five Mindfulness Trainings are like the North Star. They are guiding lights, but not rules that we can ever follow perfectly. I like finding ways to make the trainings comfortable and inspiring for me.
We’ll watch a short video from Plum Village with Thay talking about this training. It’s beautiful.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Best,
Ellen