I was away from my computer most of the day yesterday, having gone to Rhode Island to attend a Buddhist precepts ceremony at the Providence Zen Center. Going to ceremonies always gives me a big practice boost: it's encouraging to see new folks making a formal commitment to their practice & more seasoned folks committing to become Zen teachers.
It's also deeply inspiring to be able to practice (and especially chant!) with lots of people in a big, beautiful Dharma room with all the fancy liturgical accoutrements I don't have here at home.
I'll be posting pix of some of those Buddhist bells & whistles over the next few days on my blog. But for now, it feels good to be back home in my quiet apartment, where I'll be spending the day relaxing, doing housework, and practicing in the afternoon.
Hi. Welcome to cyclingdave. I'm officially away, but not actually gone until tomorrow morning. Back next weekend. Hope to maybe have the time and space to try and sit in the evening as well as in the morning.
Stray, I've been catching a glimpse lately of how I can actually ease physical pain by sending love to it. It's hard, but only because you have to believe it will work and *that* is so hard. Your room sounds a healing place, I'm glad.
Will be thinking of you all when I meditate, though probably not checking in this week.
welcome newcomers. I get so excited when you come by and feel like we are all just spreading great hunks o' light accross the universe!!!!!
It's funny this question of whether or not I should comment if i haven't sat. Our house is teeming with wonderful visiting children. Half sisters and nieces. We cooked together for eighteen people under the starlight last night. And if two days of vegetable preparation can't be some kind of meditation....
It is not an excuse not to sit, but I am just here to say that having children around is a blessing, and when I remember to breathe into it, it becomes even richer.
It is not the same as sitting, but it is a thread and sometimes that has got to be enough. So I haven't sat for 2 days but I am here. Oh, I am here.
I haven't missed any days yet, but I feel a little stupid just posting that so I haven't posted anything. I'll probably mostly read for a while and only comment when I have something to say. I should have predicted that this would happen, since I always am this way with new groups, but it surprised me to remember.
I was away from home for a week in April visiting friends, and didn't pick up the sitting part of the practice until now. I've been bringing more mindfulness into daily life since then though, and I've felt more things shifting and stiring inside, and I've been having more insights and realisations about myself and my situation during this few months than I have in years, but I felt that I needed to pick up the sitting again, so I did.
OK, I just did my min-sit prior to allowing myself to comment!
Welcome to all the newcomers a nd please dn't worry about not being articulate, or having somethign profound to say - we are all beginners on this journey, really - it's like measuring your steps on earth when you're trying to get to the moon! All of us are more similar than not.
Tonight, I tried to cheer my 97-year-old father-in-law on the phone. He si Syrian but lived and taught many years in Beirut, and he is very sad, not just about Lebanon but about humanity. His eyes are also failing. So we talked and laughed a little, and he said he felt a bit better. He was cooking - making a Lebanese type of pizza. Without meditation and contemplation, I would not have the strength to help in these situations, but it really does make the difference between despair and some sort of centeredness.
ruth's weekend sounds perfect. i for one believe time in the kitchen, especially with fresh vegetables, is a form of meditation. and preparing food for family and friends a true gift and blessing.
beth i am glad you brought cheer to your father in laws day. what is going on in lebenon saddens all of us those who have roots and memorys of that place must be deeply affected.
6 Comments:
g'morning, everyone, and welcome to cyclingdave!
I was away from my computer most of the day yesterday, having gone to Rhode Island to attend a Buddhist precepts ceremony at the Providence Zen Center. Going to ceremonies always gives me a big practice boost: it's encouraging to see new folks making a formal commitment to their practice & more seasoned folks committing to become Zen teachers.
It's also deeply inspiring to be able to practice (and especially chant!) with lots of people in a big, beautiful Dharma room with all the fancy liturgical accoutrements I don't have here at home.
I'll be posting pix of some of those Buddhist bells & whistles over the next few days on my blog. But for now, it feels good to be back home in my quiet apartment, where I'll be spending the day relaxing, doing housework, and practicing in the afternoon.
Happy Sunday to everyone!
Hi. Welcome to cyclingdave. I'm officially away, but not actually gone until tomorrow morning. Back next weekend. Hope to maybe have the time and space to try and sit in the evening as well as in the morning.
Stray, I've been catching a glimpse lately of how I can actually ease physical pain by sending love to it. It's hard, but only because you have to believe it will work and *that* is so hard. Your room sounds a healing place, I'm glad.
Will be thinking of you all when I meditate, though probably not checking in this week.
welcome newcomers. I get so excited when you come by and feel like we are all just spreading great hunks o' light accross the universe!!!!!
It's funny this question of whether or not I should comment if i haven't sat. Our house is teeming with wonderful visiting children. Half sisters and nieces. We cooked together for eighteen people under the starlight last night. And if two days of vegetable preparation can't be some kind of meditation....
It is not an excuse not to sit, but I am just here to say that having children around is a blessing, and when I remember to breathe into it, it becomes even richer.
It is not the same as sitting, but it is a thread and sometimes that has got to be enough. So I haven't sat for 2 days but I am here. Oh, I am here.
Love to all of you.
I haven't missed any days yet, but I feel a little stupid just posting that so I haven't posted anything. I'll probably mostly read for a while and only comment when I have something to say. I should have predicted that this would happen, since I always am this way with new groups, but it surprised me to remember.
I was away from home for a week in April visiting friends, and didn't pick up the sitting part of the practice until now. I've been bringing more mindfulness into daily life since then though, and I've felt more things shifting and stiring inside, and I've been having more insights and realisations about myself and my situation during this few months than I have in years, but I felt that I needed to pick up the sitting again, so I did.
--Hanna
OK, I just did my min-sit prior to allowing myself to comment!
Welcome to all the newcomers a nd please dn't worry about not being articulate, or having somethign profound to say - we are all beginners on this journey, really - it's like measuring your steps on earth when you're trying to get to the moon! All of us are more similar than not.
Tonight, I tried to cheer my 97-year-old father-in-law on the phone. He si Syrian but lived and taught many years in Beirut, and he is very sad, not just about Lebanon but about humanity. His eyes are also failing. So we talked and laughed a little, and he said he felt a bit better. He was cooking - making a Lebanese type of pizza. Without meditation and contemplation, I would not have the strength to help in these situations, but it really does make the difference between despair and some sort of centeredness.
thanks for the hellos. it is great to be here.
ruth's weekend sounds perfect. i for one believe time in the kitchen, especially with fresh vegetables, is a form of meditation. and preparing food for family and friends a true gift and blessing.
beth i am glad you brought cheer to your father in laws day. what is going on in lebenon saddens all of us those who have roots and memorys of that place must be deeply affected.
d
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