Thursday evening, 4/20, Chris will give a talk after the 7:30 pm meditation that will look at concentration as a factor of awakening. The following week, 4/27, we’ll have a discussion of the ways in which concentration and focus can be helpful in meditation and daily life. Chapter IX in Bhikkhu Analayo’s book, “Satipatthana Meditation: Practice Guide”… Continue reading Sangha News 4/17/23
Author: Jon Swanson
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Ajahn Sucitto describes the connection between joy and samadhi in an article in which he makes clear that “through this process of bringing happiness into body and mind, the mind is naturally concentrated. That is samādhi.” So, concentration is fostered by joy, not the forceful exertion that many expect it to be. You can find… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Quote for the Week
“I think of ‘enjoyment’ as ‘receiving joy’; and samādhi as the art of refined enjoyment. It is the careful collecting of oneself to the joy of the present moment. Joyfulness means there’s no fear, no tension, no ought to. There isn’t anything we have to do about it. So there is stillness. It’s just this.” Ajahn Sucitto,… Continue reading Quote for the Week
Sangha News 4/3/23
This Thursday, 4/6, Chris will give a talk after the 7:30 pm meditation on tranquility as a factor of awakening, and the role that meditation can play in calming the body and mind. The following Thursday, 4/13, there will be a discussion of calm and tranquility in our practice and in our daily lives. Chapter IX… Continue reading Sangha News 4/3/23
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Gil Fronsdal provides a good introduction to calm and tranquility that you can find on the Insight Meditation Center website: Tranquility Jack Kornfield describes the relationship between tranquility and happiness in an article that you can find here: Happiness and Tranquility Sounds True has produced an e-book on the factors of awakening that is an… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Quote for the Week
“In our busy world, we tend to overlook the capacity we have to allow the mind to settle down and rest, to become deeply silent and peaceful. This stillness is a great power in meditation, and through it we can learn to listen more fully to the world around us and to the wisdom of… Continue reading Quote for the Week
Sangha News 3/20/23
**On Saturday, (3/25) the 8:00 a.m. meeting will be held in the multipurpose room at All Saints, on the lower level near the Parish Hall. ** Thursday evening, 3/23/2023, Chris will give a talk on joy and contentment as a factor of awakening after the 7:30 pm meditation. The following Thursday, 3/30, there will be… Continue reading Sangha News 3/20/23
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
James Baraz has a short article on the role of joy in meditation practice that is clear and helpful. You can find that post here: Practice as a Path of Happiness You can find a brief talk by Gil Fronsdal that examines the relationship between the hindrances and the factors of awakening. He also describes the relationship… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Quote for the Week
“Joy creates a spaciousness in the mind that allows us to hold the suffering we experience inside us and around us without becoming overwhelmed, without collapsing into helplessness or despair. It brings inspiration and vitality and allows us to respond wisely to suffering with more wisdom and compassion. Profound understanding of suffering does not preclude… Continue reading Quote for the Week
Sangha News: 3/6/23
Thursday, 3/9, there will be a discussion of energy and effort after the 7:30 pm meditation. The following Thursday, 3/16, Heidi will host the 7:30 pm meditation and an open discussion. Chris will return the following Thursday, 3/23, and give a talk on joy and contentment as a factor of awakening. Chapter IX in Bhikkhu Analayo’s book, “Satipatthana… Continue reading Sangha News: 3/6/23