Mindfulnesskc

Christmas Message from Thay

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Dharma,

How lucky we are to have found the practice, to be part of a community that is alive and real, and to have a teacher who is not only healthy and young, but still have so much energy to open the way for the many generations to come. I feel so blessed to be alive at this point in time. I write with such inspiration because our teacher once again is opening new doors for us, renewing the way we look at and understand the teachings on karma, retribution, dependent co-arising and in particular, the 12 Links. I hope you all have a chance to listen to these deep teachers online.

I write to share Thầy's message for his students and friends, his encouragement for all of us to practice this Christmas season. 

Please see Thầy's letter at: http://www.mindfulnessbell.org/wp/2012/12/home-is-the-way-a-christmas-message-from-thay/ 

Thank you everyone for being there.

Brother Phap Dung and PV Community

European Institute of Applied Buddhism Requests Your Support

Dear Friends in the Practice,

This mail is an invitation to all Sanghas and friends in the practice to participate in the construction of a meditation hall for the wonderful project of the EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED BUDDHISM (EIAB) in Waldbröl, Germany. 

During the summer of 2009, a circular letter informed us about Thây's new project in Germany : the foundation of the EIAB. A few months later, Sangha members from Germany and Switzerland discovered the EIAB while attending several courses there. The first impression was rather bleak: We stood before a huge gray building, totally empty, appearing like a ghost in a cold and rainy winter landscape.

But slowly our understanding grew within us, and we began to grasp what a visionary adventure this was becoming.

In his youth, Thây had already this dream of founding an Institute where Buddhist teachings were not only taught, but also put right into practice. At that time in Vietnam, the conditions were not suitable for a successful implementation of this idea. Yet more than 40 years later, this dream took firm roots in a little German town called Waldbröl.

Just imagine :

“An international Institute, where Buddhist teachings are transmitted to countless people. A place where mindfulness is practiced at every breath. A center that offers to all earnest seekers the possibility to realize the teachings and the practice of the Buddha. Imagine a meeting spot for nuns, monks and laypeople -women and men - sharing their experiences and their wisdom. A hub for innovative projects which introduces mindfulness practice in various professions and in everyday life.”

A lot has changed at the EIAB since 2009. Thanks to very important renovation work the building is shining with new energy: already more than 80 rooms are ready to host visitors. The ground floor was inaugurated with an impressive and joyful ceremony by Thây and the mayor of this little town of Waldbröl.

Still a lot remains to be done. More than 120 rooms are waiting renovation. A new kitchen needs to be built.

And the most important is missing: a large hall where all practitioners can meditate together.

If this project is as important to your heart as it is to ours, we invite you to offer a "symbolic brick" for the construction of the EIAB’s meditation hall. Every budget needs it's building blocks, and each "symbolic brick" presents a precious contribution to this auspicious project. 

Please follow this link to donate.

We would be very happy if, ALL TOGETHER we are able to realize Thây’s dream.

We thank you for your attention from the bottom of our hearts,

 

Friends of the EIAB

Give the Priceless Gift

Brother Phap Dung, who is currently in Plum Village has written a letter to us all, with encouragements for the coming Holiday Season.

Give the Priceless Gift

Dear Beloved Thầy, Dear Sanghas throughout the Earth,  

Dear Dharma Brothers and Sisters,

Our loving Mother Earth is still there for us, right beneath our two feet. She is a miracle, a jewel in the cosmos, refreshing and healing. She has shown unlimited patience throughout human history and an uncanny ability to transform just about anything with equanimity and acceptance. She is now calling us for help. She is sufferin g from our human activities based on our craving, discrimination, fear, and despair.

The Gift of Practice - This holiday season, we have a chance to express our love and care for Mother Earth by the way we care for our self, our family and our environment. We can practice mindfulness to care for our inner environment, our feelings and our emotions so that we do not lose ourself in worries about the future or regrets about the past, or lose ourself with our feelings and thinking in the present moment.  We practice in such a way that we are peaceful, free and happy right in the here and now. We can practice to be more relaxed in our body and mind as we drive our car to work, or cook for our family, or play with our friends, or even rest when we return home. We can look deeply into our relationships with our loved ones, with our environment, our neighborhood, and our workplace and find skillful ways to care, to renew and to improve them. Care is a priceless gift.

Having Enough - Concretely this Holiday Season, we invite you to make an effort to find ways that you can give a gift that does not require you to spend a lot of money or even any at all. The greatest gift is, of course, our practice, our true presence, our understanding and love. The giving of this gift will require more effort, more creativity, and deeper looking into your beloved. You can make something. You can surprise him or her with a message that has been waiting for so long. "Dear Father, I know you are there and I am happy." "My son, I am here for you completely." "My dear, I am sorry; let us begin a new chapter." "Dear Mother Earth, I take refuge in you and bow down deeply." A reminder, a memory, a simple attention with skillfulness in expression can touch and transform. Understanding and compassion cannot be bought.

This is an invitation to all practitioners throughout the world to join us this Season for a silent resistance - to the mass pressure to consume, to the forces that cause us to run away from ourself in forgetfulness. Let us change the way we spend our Holiday Season this winter. Let us show our care for the planet in concrete ways. Let us say to Mother Earth that She can have trust in us. And please share this with the larger community by writing about your priceless gift: your gift of practice; your gift of transformation.

With trust and confidence,

Brother Pháp Dung and the Plum Village Community

 

 Please share about how you are doing and how you practice during the Holidays. We can't wait to hear from you!

Click here for the Priceless Gift Blog!

What Shall We Do on New Year Eve?

Unity is open on Monday, December 31st, New Years Eve so we will meet.  We can have a potluck from 6 - 8 pm in Classroom D or we can meet at our regular time and place, 7 - 9 pm in Classroom C.  Please tell us what you would like to do by completing this poll.  Please do so by the end of the week. Thanks!

Thay's North American Tour Dates Announced

The dates for the 2013 North American Teaching Tour with Thich Nhat Hanh are
listed below to help with planning. In the coming weeks, more information
will become available on http://tnhtour.org with themes and registration
information. In the meantime, please do not contact the monasteries for
more information.

Aug 11-16 Mindfulness Retreat for Educators, Brock University, Hamilton, ON
(Toronto)
Aug 17 Public Talk, Sony Centre, Toronto, ON

Aug 25-30 Mindfulness Retreat, Blue Cliff Monastery, Pine Bush, NY
Sep 1 Day of Mindfulness, Blue Cliff Monastery, Pine Bush, NY
Sep 7 Public Talk, New York City, NY
Sep 12 Day of Mindfulness, Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA
Sep 14 Public Talk, Trinity Church, Boston, MA
Sep 15 Peace Walk, Trinity Church, Boston, MA

Sep 19-24 Mindfulness Retreat, Magnolia Grove Monastery, Batesville, MS
Sep 26-29 Vietnamese Retreat, Magnolia Grove Monastery, Batesville, MS

Oct 4-8 Vietnamese Retreat, Deer Park Monastery, Escondido, CA
Oct 11-16 Mindfulness Retreat, Deer Park Monastery, Escondido, CA
Oct 19 Public Talk, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA
Oct 20 Day of Mindfulness, Deer Park Monastery, Escondido, CA
Oct 26 Public Talk, Paramount Theatre, Oakland, CA
Oct 27 Vietnamese Day of Mindfulness in the Bay Area

Visit http://tnhtour.org in 2013

December in Sangha....

A New Year of Peace, Joy & Happiness: A Day of Mindfulness: Saturday, January 19, 2013, 9 am - 4 pm, Unity Temple on the Plaza, Classroom C. $90 - $35 sliding scale. Bring blanket for deep relaxation.  Buy lunch at nearby restaurants or bring your own. Tea, chairs and limited number of cushions provided.  RSVP. Tentative Schedule.

The Spark of Creation: Living a Life of Mindful Creativity: An Audio Retreat with Study Guide by Dharma Teacher Eileen Kiera. From January through March, we'll spend the second through fourth Monday's listening to the talks from this retreat on spirituality and creativity by Dharma Teacher Eileen Kiera, given this past fall at Mountain Lamp Community in Deming, Washington. Sr. Eileen is an ecologist by training and a vegetable gardener by passion, but the practice and support of the Dharma has been her primary focus for the past 24 years. She's a student of Thich Nhat Hanh and Robert Aitken, Roshi. Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledged her as a dharma teacher in 1990. She and her husband, Jack Duffy, an ordained teacher by Robert Aitken, Roshi, founded Mountain Lamp Community where they offer retreats in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and Robert Aitken, Roshi.

Next E-Talk with Br. Chan Huy: The Three Dharma Seals on Saturday, December 8th at Mauds. Arrive at 9:45. The E-talks are our monthly Order of Interbeing member and aspirant gathering. Everyone welcome all the same! We'll enjoy meditation, a reading suggested by Br. Chan Huy and recitation of the Magical 14 Mindfulness Trainings. $10 suggested donation for Br. Chan Huy (or whatever feels right to you). Bring a vegan dish for lunch. RSVP and location information. Please complete Pre-retreat contemplations and email to Br. Chan Huy by end of day Wednesday before the talk.

Please mark your calendars for the remaining e-talks with Br. Chan Huy for 2012-13:

Jan 26, 2013: The 3 doors of liberation

Feb 23, 2013: Free from desire

Mar 23, 2013: Why meditate

Apr 20, 2013: The 6 paramitas

May 11, 2013: Right understanding

Jun 15, 2013: Letting go of the raft

Coming up on Mondays...

All gatherings start with silent sitting and walking meditation.

Monday, December 3rd: Five Mindfulness Trainings Recitaion and Dharma Talk

Monday, December 10th: We'll enjoy part of a talk by Thich Nhat Hanh given to the legislators of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast, Northern Ireland this past spring.

Monday, December 17th: An evening of sitting, walking and guided meditation, and mindful movements

Monday, December 24th: We'll continue our study of the book Present Moment Wonderful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living

Monday, December 31st: Activity to be announced.

November in Sangha...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAVE THE DATE! New Year's Day of Mindfulness January 19, 2013! 9 am - 4 pm, Unity Temple on the Plaza, Classroom C.  RSVP.

Schedule change for E-Talks with Br. Chan Huy. Next talk Saturday, November 17th at Polly's. Future talks have moved one week later. Please see list below for dates. Arrive at 9:45. The E-talks are our monthly Order of Interbeing member and aspirant gathering. Everyone welcome all the same! We'll enjoy meditation, a reading suggested by Br. Chan Huy and recitation of the Magical 14 Mindfulness Trainings. $10 suggested donation for Br. Chan Huy (or whatever feels right to you). Bring a vegan dish for lunch. RSVP and location information. Please complete Pre-retreat contemplations and email to Br. Chan Huy by end of day Wednesday before the talk.

Handouts for November 17th E-Talk:

Download Gatha for Planting a Tree.jpeg (96.0K)

Download Meditation - Mindfulness of the Awakened One.pdf (80.1K)

Download Here is the Pure Land.jpeg (101.1K)

Download Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels.jpeg (94.3K)

Download The Three Jewels.pdf (94.2K)

Please mark your calendars for the remaining e-talks with Br. Chan Huy for 2012-13:

Dec 8, 2012: The 3 dharma seals

Jan 26, 2013: The 3 doors of liberation

Feb 23, 2013: Free from desire

Mar 23, 2013: Why meditate

Apr 20, 2013: The 6 paramitas

May 11, 2013: Right understanding

Jun 15, 2013: Letting go of the raft

Coming up on Mondays...

All gatherings start with silent sitting and walking meditation.

Monday, November 5th: Five Mindfulness Trainings Recitaion and Dharma Talk

Monday, November 12th: We'll enjoy part of a talk by Thich Nhat Hanh on mindful breathing and the Four Establishments of Mindfulness.

Monday, November 19th: An evening of sitting, walking and guided meditation, and mindful movements

Monday, November 26: We'll continue our study of the book Present Moment Wonderful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living

Next E-Talk at Polly's on Saturday 10/27

Next E-Talk with Br. Chan Huy October 27th at Pollys. This year we'll also making e-talks our monthly Order of Interbeing member and aspirant gathering.Everyone welcome all the same! Arrive at 9:45. We'll enjoy meditation, a reading suggested by Br. Chan Huy and recitation of the Magical 14 Mindfulness Trainings. $10 suggested donation for Br. Chan Huy (or whatever feels right to you). Bring a vegan dish for lunch. RSVP and location information. Please complete Pre-retreat contemplations and email to Br. Chan Huy by end of day Wednesday before the talk.

Please mark your calendars for this year's e-talks with Br. Chan Huy:

Oct 27, 2012,

Nov 10, 2012,

Dec 1, 2012,

Jan 19, 2013,

Feb 16, 013,

March 16, 2013,

April 13, 2013,

May 4, 2013,

June 8, 2013

Party RSVP & Sneak Peak at Retreat Schedule!

Unity Temple is throwing us a party!  It's our 15th year as a sangha.  Happy birthday HCML! Or as Thay likes to say, happy continuation! Monday, October 29th, we'll meet one hour earlier, at 6:00 PM in the Manse, the apartment on the west end of the temple. We'll enjoy a vegan buffet, a ceremony honoring 15 years on continuing as a community, a few words of encouragement from Br. Chan Huy, and just being together. Please RSVP so we can get an estimate for the buffet.

Retreat registration ends this Wednesday, October 17th. We look forward to seeing you at Loving the Life Your Have: Finding Peace Joy and Happiness No Matter What Happens. Take a sneak peak at our tentative retreat schedule.  Register for the retreat.

Answers to Life's Burning Questions?

Whenever I feel alone with question or problem, I muster the courage to open my heart, and almost always find others share my question or problem, too. All I have to do is reach out.

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We're taking advantage of this near universal principle at Loving the Live You Have: Finding Peace, Joy and Happiness No Matter What Happens. On Saturday evening of the retreat, Br. Chan Huy will share his vast experience with the practice, both personally and through the many communities who call him teacher, during a question and answer session. We encourage you to look into your heart and offer a question to him, either by asking it during the session or by writing it down an putting it in the bell.

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You'll also have a chance to reach out to your dharma family.  Each retreatant is assigned to a family that will gather together at least daily during the retreat for small group practice and discussion. We hope the dharma families will nurture a deeper sense of connection between the retreatants.  Br. Chan Huy will visit each of the dharma families so you can have a closer experience with him.

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Registration for Loving the Life You Have: Finding Peace, Joy and Happiness No Matter What Happens, a mindfulness retreat in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, November 2 - 4, 2012 at Marillac Center in Leavenworth, KS, continues through October 17th.  Register Now!