tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68661814639499576232024-02-20T01:05:05.959-06:00SingingStones Sangha: Community of Mindful LivingSinging Stones Sangha is an inclusive community of persons from various spiritual traditions who share mindful spiritual practice in the tradition and teachings of Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-32497127067160945832020-11-30T19:32:00.000-06:002020-11-30T19:32:09.987-06:00Thoughts From the Sangha November 25<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">Daily, the conditions of our time are us giving the opportunity for mindful practice; perhaps seeming to come to us as a barrage of arrows on our psyche and soul. Up close and personal, may come as illness, isolation and loneliness,the betrayal of trust by a trusted friend, the loss of a loved one, accusations or projected resentments. These may be ongoing conditions that we deal with daily or a sudden intrusion that elicits a gut wrenching response in which we may feel helpless, out of control and anxious. All of these impacted by the continuing out of control virus and cultural unrest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Whatever the form these may be taking, all of us are being challenged to redefine our identity, our values, concepts, perceptions, our sense of belonging, family and community; the core of who we are as human beings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A crucial question to be ask is,"What is the gift of this situation? How do we reclaim our joy, our hope, our sense of safety and our trust in both ourselves and others?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">These are the moments that bring us back to basics, as they have for our ancestors in centuries past. These are the moments for deepening our mindful practices, to focus and refocus on what anchors us. Painful as some of these moments may be, we seize them to deepen our understanding of ourselves, our assumptions and our relationships in community.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yes these are the moments for deep looking and discernment, trusting they hold the potential for deep healing, deep growth and transformation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mindfully be gentle with yourselves and with each others with lovingkindness and deep compassion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">From my heart to yours</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Namast</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-55863392548091193662020-11-24T13:24:00.000-06:002020-11-24T13:24:04.391-06:00Thoughts From the Sangha November 17<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">Reading Thay's stories in <b>At Home in the world </b>and another teacher in <b>Meditations for the Love of It, </b>I find a recurring theme: Joy. Another underlying theme is the sacramental nature of the ordinary. Recently my Sangha brother Jon Hart, hosting Wake Up Sangha, highlighted a teaching of Thay's, <i style="font-weight: bold;">If your practice is not bringing you joy, it is not a good practice.</i> This connected with another teaching from a sweat lodge; "<b><i>the lodge is not an an endurance test but a teaching for life"</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Taking comfort in the Three Jewels; the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha and with the awareness that Sangha and other meditative groups are in practice all over the world, I experience Joy. The persistent practice with awareness of the sacramental and sacre is a powerful act of love. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What are the ordinary things that we love and take for granted that are a spiritual practice or that can become one. We work with what we know and already do. These daily activities are avenues of the holy, of healing, of transformation. These are avenues of joy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are the moments the right questions can take us deep. They inspire and challenge us, perhaps move us onto a new direction. My gratitude to Jon and the Wake Up Sangha for these questions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What does your practice look like? How does in show up in the ordinary?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What are your feelings and insights when you finish? What do you come away with? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Are there others you have not developed as strongly? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I would add,<b><i>What are the ordinary behaviors and the routine that can be transformed into sacred practice? Wearing a mask, washing the dishes, preparing a meal, building a shelf, taking a walk, holding your dog, checking on a neighbor?</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ponder these things in your practice.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">With Joy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-19127137825017800232020-11-14T17:51:00.000-06:002020-11-14T17:51:17.075-06:00<p> <span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the Sangha November 10</span></p><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc e5nlhep0 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_8o" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="animation-name: none !important; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Listening with my heart to those close to me, to my own body, to social media and network television, I am hearing and feeling a common theme; deep exhaustion. This theme is coming with varying degrees of labels : isolation fatigue, burnout, traumatic stress and apathy. Alongside there is the expression of a host of feelings and emotions, ranging from numbness and a lack of feelings to rage and a despairing depression where one feels no motivation at all.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Regardless of how the crisis of these moments are being experienced by you, they all are a manifestation of a deep response of our being. The term I feel is the most descriptive is fatigue of the soul, not just individually but on a universal collective level. The world soul is hurting and exhausted with grief and hurt.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">"We need a break", one said to me. Yes we need a respite from the hurts, from the grief, from the loss, from the dark energies surrounding us. However, most of us push obsessively on, and as one person described it, feeling guilty that we feel so tired and exhausted. Her label was fatigue guilt.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Acknowledging that as the human family we are deeply interconnected, we take refuge in the teachings of the ancients, the teachers and the mystics of many traditions who have came before. those who in prior times of crisis have shown the way. Our beloved teacher Thay drew upon these ancient teaching and spiritual practices as did the mystics of many other spiritual traditions. "Come away and rest awhile" they said. Come away and acknowledge the messages our bodies are sending us. Accept our bodies and our emotions as a very human response, claiming the moments and the space for rest, for sleep, for healing, trusting we can heal and be renewed. Claim rest as a Spiritual Practice. </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Thay has been so clear in his teachings and practice that rest is a sacred practice that renews the body and transforms the mind. So let us claim the time and space to 'come away and rest awhile'. There we will find the healing for our exhausted souls.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">I invite you to ponder deeply from your heart.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Namaste</div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="stjgntxs ni8dbmo4 l82x9zwi uo3d90p7 h905i5nu monazrh9" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="animation-name: none !important; border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; transition-property: none !important;"><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; 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align-items: center; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--secondary-text); cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex: 1 0 0%; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; height: 32px; justify-content: center; line-height: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; transition: transform 400ms cubic-bezier(0.08, 0.52, 0.52, 1) 0s; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap;" tabindex="0">Comment</div></span></div></div></div><div class="cwj9ozl2 tvmbv18p" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 4px; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="rfua0xdk pmk7jnqg pfx3uekm ay7djpcl ema1e40h q45zohi1" data-html2canvas-ignore="true" style="animation-name: none !important; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; transition-property: none !important; width: 1px;"></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-57534673547157707372020-11-13T19:31:00.004-06:002022-05-25T15:53:48.199-05:00Thoughts from the Sangha November 5<p><br /></p><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> Acknowledging the very human feelings of fragmented isolation along with a multitude of physical and emotional responses, we gathered for practice in community, holding sacred space for those who gathered in spirit. </span></span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span>The week has held moments of reactive overwork, moments of numbness, perhaps moments of reactions out of old trauma and habits, but also the moments of seeking comfort and grounding in silence, journal writing, creative arts and mindful connection with the natural world and even mindful work. In the midst of the dark storm going on about us, both up close ,personal and in the social/political environment, all holding dark draining energy, there have been the healing moments of silence, the island of sanity. These are movements and moments of deep healing and a deep turning. There has been the awareness of the Sacred and Ceremonial in our every act.</span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span> Out of the silence came these thoughts shared by Ravenwolf in her unique poetic form and her Native soul.</span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Balance</span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There must be a balance of darkness and light</span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">so the spiritual journey cab bear fruit of enlightenment </span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Darkness, home of the shadowdancer. guardian of all things hindering the souls journey to wholeness.</span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The light, the flaming swords bringing light to an often hidden story, the hidden power of true soul power</span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Light, spiritual awakening , birthing The Child of Universal Consciousness </span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do we embrace the creation of the Great I Am, embrace the Unknown ?</span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Can we come to full awareness that each soul can touch the Power of Light ?The Light that lies within our ability to go beyond death and rebirth.</span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Each soul having the unique imprint of the great Dance of Life; the light igniting an awakening becoming the Birth Child of Universal Consciousness. (Ravenwolf. 9/20/2000</span></div><div data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-inline-color="" dir="auto" style="--darkreader-inline-bgcolor: #1c1e1f; --darkreader-inline-color: #d9d6d1; animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ponder these thoughts from the heart of the Sangha during these days.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Ponder with an open heart. </span></div><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="animation-name: none; display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; transition-property: none; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="❤" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom="" data-darkreader-inline-border-left="" data-darkreader-inline-border-right="" data-darkreader-inline-border-top="" height="16" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6c/1/16/2764.png" style="--darkreader-inline-border-bottom: initial; --darkreader-inline-border-left: initial; --darkreader-inline-border-right: initial; --darkreader-inline-border-top: initial; animation-name: none; border: 0px; text-align: center; transition-property: none;" width="16" /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> May our hearts be as ONE <span style="text-align: left;">Namaste</span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-37780709030660070672020-10-28T15:01:00.000-05:002020-10-28T15:01:05.161-05:00<div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc e5nlhep0 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_gz" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="animation-name: none !important; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Thoughts from the Sangha.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Continuing to focus on the basics of mindful practice, we go to the First Mindfulness training which is a focus on Reverence for Life, non- violence and non attachment to views. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">We can all agree these are dark times as a virus , out of control, is taking thousands of lives in the midst of a political climate filled with conspiracy theories , misinformation, fear and violence. These are calling us to reflect deeply on the First Mindfulness Training. Mindful practice challenges us to go deep, deeper and then deeper more. </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">As we seek to be responsible for ourselves and others and are mindful of social distancing, self isolation, wearing of masks etc, we become aware that all of these behaviors are interconnected with time and space, both inner and outer. We have also become aware of the extent of violence that is manifest in both language and behavior. </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">For most of us, these images of maintaining distance can bring forth deep emotions connected with rejection, silence, nothingness, and loneliness to which we can respond with anxiety and fear. Our reactions may be resentment, anger or demanding control. All of these are violence to ourselves and to others. We see these behaviors all around us and may feel them in ourselves. All a manifestation of dark energies which impinge upon our soul.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">All the times there is a longing and yearning for connection and community where there is time and space ,a welcome in the circle.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">We may hear 'I don't have time', I have work to do' 'i can't talk to you', or even no response at all when we attempt to reach out and make connection. Thes can all pull us into a dark sludge of emotions akin to a dark vortex of despair and holding on to dark traumatic experiences.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Mindful meditation in community provides an alternative, turning isolation in to a community of solitude where we can discern how to give and hold sacred healing time and space both to ourselves and for others. Meditation gives the breathing room where we can claim the space for our inner healing and give space and time to others for their healing with reverence and sacred awareness.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Here in these moments of claiming space and stopping time, we become calm, we rest, we heal and our consciousness is transformed. </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Let us turn these challenging days of isolation into community's of solitude. </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">How do you need to claim time and space for yourself?</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">How do you need to give it to others.</div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="animation-name: none !important; 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align-items: center; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--secondary-text); cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex: 1 0 0%; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; height: 32px; justify-content: center; line-height: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; transition: transform 400ms cubic-bezier(0.08, 0.52, 0.52, 1) 0s; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap;" tabindex="0">Comment</div></span></div></div></div><div class="cwj9ozl2 tvmbv18p" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 4px; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="rfua0xdk pmk7jnqg pfx3uekm ay7djpcl ema1e40h q45zohi1" data-html2canvas-ignore="true" style="animation-name: none !important; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; transition-property: none !important; width: 1px;"></span></div></div></div></div><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-61177679773731656922020-10-21T13:26:00.000-05:002020-10-21T13:26:20.815-05:00Thoughts from Sangha<div style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc e5nlhep0 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_vl" style="animation-name: none !important; padding: 4px 16px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="animation-name: none !important; display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="animation-name: none !important; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); display: block; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Continuing to focus on the basics of mindful practice, we go to the three jewels of buddhism to take refuge. However we go to the three jewels also for inspiration, for healing and for empowerment.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In these challenging days, we need all three to guide us through the darkness. So we take refuge in the Buddha, in the Christ, in the ancestral teachers of all faiths. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We take refuge in the Dharma, the sacred scriptures from many sources of those who have gone before.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We take refuge in the Sangha, the beloved community that calls us together, reminding us we are not alone but connected as a human family and in relationship with all life.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As I reflect on my own practice, I become aware that I also and perhaps prior to the three refuges, take refuge in the sacred space of my practice center. The energy of my outer space and how I organize gives me a energy and a place of safety, giving me a place to breathe, a experience of peace and balance. Pictures of blood ancestors and yes descendents and friends who have gone before and who now are my mentors and teachers, gifts from friends, reminding me I am surrounded by a circle of love. Surrounding me are the symbols of the faith traditions that have nourished me: Jesus, Buddhist, Native American and the land upon which I live. These all become a living part of the Sangha community and take me deep into mindful practice and my interior sacred space. Here I can Stop. become calm, rest, heal and allow the darkness become transformed. Here I can go with the flow of my inner river. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I invite you to reflect on your outer and inner space, knowing it is sacred. How does it inspire and keep you grounded? what do you need to change? </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Namaste.</span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="stjgntxs ni8dbmo4 l82x9zwi uo3d90p7 h905i5nu monazrh9" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="animation-name: none !important; border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; transition-property: none !important;"><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; transition-property: none !important;"><div style="animation-name: none !important; 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clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; transition-property: none !important; width: 1px;"></span></div></div></div></div><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-52668104747645782042020-10-14T00:21:00.004-05:002020-10-21T13:47:11.222-05:00Thoughts from Sangha<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The challenges of these days, life as it is given to us, calls us to seek refuge in a community of support, to find the 'islands of sanity'. I received a card in the process of my ordination into the order of Interbeing that simply said "this is it'. I put it on my altar this week. Aside from that memory at Estes park back in 2009, it took me back to an earlier memory, a meditation from the spiritual diary of Dag Hammarskjold, Secretary- General of the United Nations who tragically perished in a plane crash while on a peace keepig mission. Considered a spiritual classic. The theme which runs throughout Markings is that of "YES", a YES that emerges out of images of a deep struggle with darkness and the "IT" of life. He allows his deepest heart to seek a ground that anchors his purpose in life</span></span></p><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;">During these darkest of times which we are now encountering, we too are being pushed back to the basics, to seek refuge to what anchors and grounds us.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;">What is helping us to go deeper into awareness, empowering us to be , in the Buddhist tradition, the enlightened ones, or in core Christianity, the sensitive responsive ones or followers of the way, or 'the righteous ones' in Jewish thought? </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;">Taking refuge for me is to go deeper into the teachings of those who can show us another way in this life,the way of understanding, love and compassion and to be a part of a community that seeks to practice harmony, wisdom and awareness. A community that lives the 'YES" in the midst of the "IT"</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;">What is the deepest challenge of the "IT" for you?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;">What is the deep work of your heart that is calling for a "YES'?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;">Thoughts as we learn and support each other on the journey. Namaste</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-89307489990771510942020-09-19T20:48:00.001-05:002020-09-19T20:48:29.413-05:00Tears for Jerusalem | Songs | Tommy Emmanuel<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DHzZi20xOIA" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-90596599514935443032020-08-20T14:21:00.001-05:002020-08-20T14:21:54.355-05:00Billy Porter - “For What It’s Worth” with Stephen Stills - 2020 Democrat...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c9nTxOMtbEI" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-31501853831283262702020-08-08T10:07:00.001-05:002020-08-08T10:07:03.643-05:00Amy Sebran This Is My Brave Oklahoma City<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j2HzNFkG9hk" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-33327662915674187842020-04-13T13:26:00.001-05:002020-04-13T13:26:10.249-05:00Song For The Sacred Elements - Chenoa Egawa & Alex Turtlesingingstones<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZwX7GdiTTXw" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-77924693077659060852019-10-09T14:14:00.002-05:002019-10-09T14:14:58.998-05:00Sense Dance<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #1c1c1c; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: center;">
<b>Sense-Dance<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In the early morning light of spring</div>
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The birds sing</div>
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Just because they sing</div>
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It is a chorus of angels</div>
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Warmth blended with taste of coffee</div>
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Enlivens my tongue</div>
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With memory of last nights dinner of Eastern rice,</div>
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Cooked by brown Asian hands,</div>
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Vegetables from earth’s home</div>
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Sweet red pepper grown from heirloom seed of <st1:country-region>Guatemala</st1:country-region></div>
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Gracing shrimp from southern seas.</div>
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The gifts of the world slide</div>
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Across our tongues</div>
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All connected in that first cup of fragrant coffee</div>
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From <st1:country-region>Brazil</st1:country-region></div>
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Sitting in my hand made wooden chair</div>
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Designed by ancestral mountain folk, my bare feet solid on cool concrete</div>
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Formed from what was a once sacred mountain</div>
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My prayer blanket wraps me in the warmth of remembrance of drums and singers moving in a dance circle of honor to life</div>
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A blanket placed around my shoulders</div>
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The direction of my path forever changed with blessing</div>
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The morning sun lights up the greening earth</div>
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Tickling the scrapbook patches of the autumn oak leaves waiting to be mulched to feed growing plants</div>
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A friend’s smile breaking into laughter brings a smile to my own face</div>
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The covey of old growth oaks in their wisdom are watching us</div>
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Bringing forth their feathery blessing of new life pollen</div>
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The whole earth is smiling in this sunlit morning</div>
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No clouds in the eternal blue sky where a red tail hawk is flying</div>
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Across the valley, the aroma of fresh brewed coffee is dancing with the musky smells of earth, faint sweetness of spring flowers , a hint of wood smoke from last night fires, all leading the way across the trail of my awareness</div>
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In the morning of this emergence once more of my awakening senses, my body self is born again in tranquility, renewal, balance and energy</div>
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Living the medicine wheel that I built from stones with my own wrinkled hands</div>
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<b><i>Anne Clement. The Wordweaver at Singing Stones</i></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-24668401138414036022019-07-23T16:23:00.001-05:002019-07-23T16:23:19.073-05:00"Walk on the Moon" (John Stewart cover) Robert Thornton Kent<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M1oMMGA3ZE8" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-84339308122061101722017-10-16T19:08:00.000-05:002017-10-16T19:08:24.591-05:00Regroup-Refresh-Renew <span style="color: #e69138;">The life of a Sangha amazes me.The past few weeks has been a time of resting and renewing. Some members have moved out of town, some have had work commitments that did not fit the schedule, some have had serious health issues, some have taken up the challenge of leading groups that targeted particular issues.As I reflect upon the ever changing configuration of Singing Stones Sangha since it's birth in 2009, I am amazed at the impact on the life and work of the people who have been participants, the relationships that have been formed and life decisions that have been made. We have gone through incredible change and growth, both the deepest of pain and the highest of joy.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"> From the onset of Singing Stones, I have felt the challenges of today's life are demanding we find the ways to live in communities that live mindfully in compassion and non-violent engagement. Mindful practice in a Sangha community is one way to nurture the awareness and skills to bring about a more peaceful world. Participants may change, issues may change but the experience and dynamic energies of growth and healing continue in ways that continue out into the universe. Even a short time in a community of mindful practice gives us insights and skills that we carry with us indefinitely as we engage the world in our family and our community. May the merit of our practice and our life together benefit all beings. Namaste</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-43324440108380803232012-07-30T15:28:00.002-05:002012-07-30T15:28:22.890-05:00Mystery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTGtS7PjNZe5TU_nuji4GxvdD1TC5a5TFPyxBVSJNbvmx0Zbz9XHEareeTxHfGkh8ldH5ULsFe-s22UnGXp3wP3V5AzfbmkwCUBFR_pTPAQ-bzRQuHsD2g97tcKuawqFmtgdDNC3EP-4/s1600/ClaimYourVision.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTGtS7PjNZe5TU_nuji4GxvdD1TC5a5TFPyxBVSJNbvmx0Zbz9XHEareeTxHfGkh8ldH5ULsFe-s22UnGXp3wP3V5AzfbmkwCUBFR_pTPAQ-bzRQuHsD2g97tcKuawqFmtgdDNC3EP-4/s400/ClaimYourVision.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">In the silence</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">this space comes alive</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">with sound</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">The breath of Spirit</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">shapes and form infuse </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">with clarity</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">My Inner depths touches </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">All that lies beyond</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">All is good, so very good</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">I touch </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">am touched by Mystery</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">Deep Mystery</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">In the Silence </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #674ea7;">of this practice center</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-small;">......wordweaver</span></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-77993747074761819112012-01-18T18:06:00.000-06:002014-01-20T20:30:33.579-06:00Prayer To Mother Earth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>For your meditation taken from Plum Village website</u></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">New Year Prayer to Mother Earth<br />and all Our Ancestors</span></strong></span></span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">Dear Beloved Mother Earth, </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">Dear Ancestors, both Spiritual and Genetic,</span></span></span></em><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;"></span></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">We present ourselves before you at this solemn moment of the New Year to express our awareness, our gratitude and our aspiration as a spiritual family. We know that our ancestors are always alive in us and that we can always take refuge in you and in our ancestors.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;"></span></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">Dear Mother Earth, breathing in, we see that we and all of our ancestors are your children. With your patience, stability, endurance and creativity you have raised us and guided us through many lifetimes. You have given birth to countless Great Beings, Buddhas, Saints, and Boddhisattvas. You are the great Earth, you are Terra, you are Gaia, you are this beautiful blue planet. You are the Earth Refreshing Bodhisattva–fragrant, cool, and kind. We see that though we and our ancestors have made many mistakes, you have always forgiven us. Each time we return to you, you are ready to open your arms and embrace us.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;"></span></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">Because of our wrong perceptions and discrimination we have lived a life of separation, hatred, loneliness, suffering, and despair. We have allowed individualism to prevail, and it has caused a lot of damage and hardship to you and to ourselves. We have run after fame, wealth, power, and sensual pleasures and have forgotten that these pursuits could never bring us true happiness. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;"></span></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">We have spent many lifetimes not able to recognize your presence as the Pure Land, as the Kingdom of God, as the most wondrous home that we have. We have run after a distant Promised Land, in heaven or in the future. This has caused us and you much suffering. Tonight as we touch the Earth, we let go and offer you and our ancestors our true presence. We have arrived. You are our home, our only home.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;"></span></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">We have learned that only love and compassion can make our lives meaningful, allowing us to protect and preserve your beauty, and allowing us to heal ourselves. We can learn to live as one family -- as a community of brothers and sisters, all children of the same Great Mother Earth, giving our descendants a chance for a healthy and a bright future. We know that only through building brotherhood and sisterhood in the present moment can we make this future a reality.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;"></span></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">Dear Mother, tonight, on the occasion of the New Year 2012, we make the vow to learn to live in harmony and peace, in the very heart of our family and our community, just as bees in the same beehive and cells in the same body. We promise that we shall remain openhearted and capable of communicating with the members of our family and our community. We promise to always listen deeply and to use peaceful and loving speech. We shall learn to listen to your voice, Mother Earth, to understand you deeply and to hear your guidance and the guidance of our ancestors. We vow also to listen to our brothers, our sisters, our friends, and to our children so that we may live in peace and harmony with them. We promise to learn to see the happiness and well-being of our family and community as our own happiness and well-being.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua, palatino;"></span></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">Dear Mother, with great reverence, we give rise to the deep aspiration to begin anew. We promise to you and also to our children: that we shall learn to breathe and walk mindfully each moment of our daily life, to use the eyes and ears of the family and community in order to understand, to live simply and to love without discrimination, as you do. We promise to stop running from our suffering, but to recognize, embrace and transform it. Only by understanding our suffering can we heal and touch true happiness, and at the same time, restore your beauty and freshness. You have been calling to us, and some of us have heard your pain. You have been asking us for many lifetimes whether you can count on us. Tonight, with palms joined and with one heart, we say “yes, Mother, you can count on us.” We shall practice for you and for all our ancestors so that joy, peace and harmony will become possible again. Please accept our offerings of incense, flowers, fruit, tea, and our love. Yes Mother, we will be faithful to you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: book antiqua, palatino;">(<span style="font-size: x-small;">the image is of trees on the road leading to Capulin Volcano in North East New Mexico where prayer ties were placed)</span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-49027911771322076222011-03-27T15:15:00.003-05:002014-01-20T20:31:53.386-06:00Mindful Presence as Practice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;">These days are a dancing spiral of clouds and sunshine, of warmth and coldness. Moments and days of Silence are also that same dance, a dance where Silence is Absence and isolation, an empty dark void where there is a draining black hole that drains the energy of your soul or there is the Silence of Presence where one deeply knows the power and empowerment of commitment and connection.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"> In absence there is an aloneness in the living of life that takes one into the depths of darkness of doubt, fear, judgement and isolation. The task becomes one of survival and one becomes enmeshed and entangled in all the power needs of survival.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"> Perhaps as we engage the Disciplines of Mindful Practice we need to stay aware there is a profound difference between the Silence of Presence and The Silence of Absence and what is nurturing the deep energies of Presence and Community. which leads to the outcomes of deep inner peace, compassion and the living of loving kindness.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"> Think about the shifts of energy that occur in your body, mind, thinking, your spirit self when there is the unexpected phone call, the cards of encouragement and appreciation, an offer of help and assistance for a tough job, or the e-mail ,This does not even touch the power of the unexpected visit or the invitation to a meal. These are the simple acts of loving-kindness that empower, encourage, connect, renew and heal. These simple ordinary acts are the makings of the soul of family and community. They are life builders, spirit healers and soul makers They heal, empower and create the manifestation of dreams and hopes.They transcend and transform all of the differences which we create to keep us separated as human beings.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"> I encourage us all to stay aware of the vast differences between the Silence that is found in the Community of Presence of the Sangha and the absence felt in Silence of the Void. We have an incredible gift inbeing able to access the profound power in that Community of Presence. It is Peace and Compassion in every step.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;">We can choose the steps we take in the dance and the music to which we move. Where ever we are is a place of the dance. </span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;">.Be Present! Be Mindful! Be Peace! </span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Anne: Peaceful Home of The Heart OIB</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-21650973015441638492011-02-15T08:54:00.000-06:002012-07-08T20:20:26.554-05:00Let there be Peace on Earth: The Choirboys<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YU0DOgFSci4?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-86511405945884802442011-01-12T22:14:00.001-06:002014-01-20T20:32:34.595-06:00Sangha Journal<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We gathered in front of the fire on this cold winter night. But our hearts were warm. Tonight was different as we welcomed three new spirits into our circle AND one who had been away for a while. So good so good! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We created beautiful images and told great stories about the bead creations which took shape and form with guidance from within our hands and spirits. Thank you Debra for the idea and the leadership. As usual we had the spirit assistance of the three fourlegged beings who believe they are just like us or maybe they believe that we are like them, only not as evolved. So much gratitude for friends for Sangha and all those who show us the way..</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A gratitude to Terri for 'The Healing Has Begun" We both agree that it really connects with the deep speaking which took place. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-62633800976213780392011-01-12T21:55:00.000-06:002023-02-08T14:39:40.626-06:00The Healing Has Begun, Matthew West *lyrics!*<iframe frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Whb-XSOog8k?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-21259895607768385682011-01-10T21:48:00.004-06:002014-01-20T20:33:18.906-06:00Non-Violence and Comittment<br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title">
<span style="color: #b6d7a8;">
We need to recommit ourselves to non-violence
</span></h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">By Kwok Pui-lan</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">We need to end the violent and incendiary language in our national political discourse.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">The shootings in Tucson, Arizona,
cannot be separated from the culture of vitriolic rhetoric we hear on
talk radios and some TV programs. Since the election of President
Barrack Obama as the first black president, such rhetoric has escalated,
especially during the health care debate last year.</span></div>
<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">The comments of Clarence Dupnik, the sheriff of Pima County have resonated across the world. He spoke on Saturday after the shooting outside a Tucson supermarket left Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords critically injured along with 14 others injured and six dead. </span><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Dupnik said: “</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">When
you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that
comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The
anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccY9lNRiUWg" target="_blank" title="blocked::http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccY9lNRiUWg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span title="blocked::http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccY9lNRiUWg">getting to be outrageous</span></span></a>. And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the Mecca for prejudice and bigotry."*</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">In this
month when we ponder the lives of two leaders slain by assassin’s
bullets, Martin Luther King and John F Kennedy, it is time we considered
these issues anew. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">In 1965, Episcopal Divinity School student Jonathan Daniels heeded the call of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr and went down to Alabama to take part in the Montgomery
March. He stayed behind to work for the Civil Rights Movement and to
integrate the Episcopal churches. On August 20, he was shot while trying
to protect a black teenager at a grocery store. He is considered a
martyr of the Church and an icon of him hangs in St John’s Chapel at EDS. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">In
my teaching, I and other faculty members are careful to promote
tolerance and critical engagement with those whose opinions are
different from ours. One important guideline used from Visions Inc, is
“it is OK to disagree, but it is not OK to blame, shame, and attack.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">In
worship and meditation, many of us involved in theological education
invoke the words and prayers of spiritual leaders, who have dedicated
themselves to non-violence: the Rev Martin Luther King, Jr, Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, and the<b> Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. </b>Amid riots and police
brutality, King said, “I am convinced that for practical as well as
moral reasons, non-violence offers the only road to freedom for my
people.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Most
importantly, we take to heart the message of Jesus Christ: “Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God” (Matt.
5:9). Jesus has modeled for us the courage of pursuing justice, while
affirming the radical love of God for all. He said that the sun rises on
the evil and on the good, and rain falls on the righteous and on the
unrighteous.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Today
as a nation we kept a moment of silence to honor the victims of the
tragedy, Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords, Federal Judge John
Roll, 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, Gabe Zimmerman,
Dorwin Stoddard, Dorothy Morris and Phyllis Schneck. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">I
recommit myself to work for peace, to the non-violent resolution of
conflict, and a democratic future in which diverse opinions can be
expressed with respect.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-37463883136013944762011-01-08T20:47:00.001-06:002023-02-08T14:38:16.815-06:00Ceremony Of Beginning Anew<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><b><i> Ceremony of Beginning Anew of Sangha Gathering January 4,2011</i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><b><i> </i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Incense Offering * Opening </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Bell</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> and Gatha * Sitting
Meditation</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span> <br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Beginning Anew</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">With all our heart we go
for refuge to the Enlightened Ones, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Turning to the Buddhas
in the Ten directions,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>and to all Self-achieved teachers in every
tradition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">We ask that a balm of
clear water will be poured on our afflictions</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">And that a raft of true
teachings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Will carry us over the
ocean of sorrows.<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><b><i>Let us begin anew.<span> </span>(</i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">BELL</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">We vow to live an
awakened life,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">To practice smiling and
conscious breathing, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">To study the teachings,
authentically transmitted, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">And to diligently live in
mindfulness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><b><i>Let
us begin anew.<span> </span>(</i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">BELL</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">We come back now to live
in the wonderful present,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">To plant our heart’s
garden with good seeds,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">To make strong
foundations of understanding and love,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">To train ourselves in
mindfulness and concentration, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">To look deeply into the
nature of all that is, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">So as to be free of the
bonds of birth and death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><b><i>Let us begin anew.<span> </span>(</i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">BELL</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">We aspire to speak
lovingly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">To care for others
whether it is early morning or late afternoon,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">To bring the roots of
joy to many places,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Helping people to
abandon sorrow, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">And to respond to life
with gratitude.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><b><i>Let us begin anew.<span> </span>(</i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">BELL</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">With deep faith we light
up the incense of our heart, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">We are thankful for
parents, teachers, family, and friends</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Who show us the way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">We ask the Lord of
Compassion to be our protector</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">On the wonderful path of
practice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">We vow to practice
diligently, cultivating the fruits of this path.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 76.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><i>Let us begin anew.<span> </span>(3BELLS)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Offering the Benefit</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-1683226306883461872011-01-07T12:24:00.000-06:002011-01-07T12:24:23.454-06:00Two Horses and a Bell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Gsadyns3ocsWWwgfRIT4WiAqG6YQr3HY6rWAPcm3XNVTn-NPeakzNtnyj49ztWzHkGyt57TYxUMs1sV10sQZ-VMy2T-AUljDHLCcDN5T5XcQUToPveht06IS7zohTqZpGlAFQPgUjwQ/s1600/Horse3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Gsadyns3ocsWWwgfRIT4WiAqG6YQr3HY6rWAPcm3XNVTn-NPeakzNtnyj49ztWzHkGyt57TYxUMs1sV10sQZ-VMy2T-AUljDHLCcDN5T5XcQUToPveht06IS7zohTqZpGlAFQPgUjwQ/s320/Horse3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yiv1796082362role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial;"><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><b>Perhaps this is what being a Sangha is all about. In our blindness we lead each other home</b></i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(thanks to carole)</span> </b></i> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Two Horses
</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There is a place in the
countryside with a field that has two horses in it. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">From a distance, each
horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">your car, or are walking
by, you will notice something quite amazing....</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Looking into the eyes of
one horse will disclose that he is blind. His</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">owner has chosen not to
have him put down, but has made a good home for</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">him. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This alone is
amazing.</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you stand nearby and
listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Looking around for the
source of the sound, you will see that it comes</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">from the smaller horse in
the field. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Attached to the horse's
halter is a small bell. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It lets the blind friend
know where the other horse is, so he can</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">follow. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As you stand and watch
these two friends, </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You'll see that the horse
with the bell is always checking on the blind</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">horse, </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And that the blind horse
will listen for the bell and then slowly walk </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">To where the other horse
is, </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Trusting that he will not
be led astray. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When the horse with the
bell returns </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">To the shelter of the barn
each evening, </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It stops occasionally and
looks back, </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Making sure that the blind
friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Like the owners of these
two horses, </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">God does not throw us away
just because we are not perfect </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Or because we have
problems or challenges. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">He watches over us and
even brings others into our lives</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">To help us when we are in
need.. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sometimes we are the blind
horse </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Being guided by the little
ringing bell of those who God places in our</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">lives. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Other times we are the
guide horse, helping others to find their way....</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Good friends are like
that... You may not always see them, but you know</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">they are always there.
</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Please listen for my bell
and I'll listen for yours. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And remember...
</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Be kinder than necessary-
</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Everyone you meet is
fighting </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Some kind of battle.
</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Live simply,</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Love
generously,</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Care deeply,</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Speak kindly......
</span></span>
</div>
<div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span>
</div>
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Leave the rest to
God </span></span></div>
<span id="yiv1796082362role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><div class="yiv1796082362yiv524011766MsoNormal">
</div>
</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866181463949957623.post-85447881119098569992011-01-05T10:31:00.000-06:002013-03-28T20:15:15.010-05:00Sangha Journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAYn2hHoOHepO1diQvA5hKB5lr5MI3VnFs4G9P8vHGvx81Zx8tWCkeREapL6rZvYHxneKfY4WLOd-hdVq9oLE6N344NFn4Gb1YnQHH5Ffp5ufJoT9iVfIYFqruRRmj-Wwmke-hX3mz84/s1600/Bridge+at+Antituim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAYn2hHoOHepO1diQvA5hKB5lr5MI3VnFs4G9P8vHGvx81Zx8tWCkeREapL6rZvYHxneKfY4WLOd-hdVq9oLE6N344NFn4Gb1YnQHH5Ffp5ufJoT9iVfIYFqruRRmj-Wwmke-hX3mz84/s320/Bridge+at+Antituim.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<div style="color: #cc0000;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #cc0000;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: small;"><b>We welcomed in the New Year of 2011 with a Ceremony of Beginning Anew, Bridging the old with the new.. The glowing fire received the old that is no longer useful or helpful. We each lit a candle in affirmation of friends, teachers and family, the ancestors who have shown us the way, we prepared for the New Year that is waiting with hope filled arms to embrace and support us in our practice.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: small;"><b>Next week we will be making meditative prayer beads for one another as Debra leads us in this meditative art/prayer form. The following week, Our teacher and Friend, Pat Webb will be our guest. Then a special time with Donna at The Peppermint Dragon Green House. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: small;"><b>With Loving Kindness for all Beings </b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0