Thursday evening info: Over the next month or so we’ll explore the Buddha’s teachings on four qualities of the heart that support us in our lives and practice, and can help us to cultivate an open heart. These four qualities, lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, are usually known as the Brahmaviharas or the four immeasurables.… Continue reading
Author: Jon Swanson
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Allyson Pimental has a good description of compassion and how it differs from sympathy and empathy, using a tale from the Buddha’s time about a woman who loses her only child, as well as personal experiences from her life. You can find her article here: Hands of Compassion Jack Kornfield describes self-compassion in a short… Continue reading
Quote for the Week
Be gentle with yourself—it should not be a struggle. Know your limitations. Extend your compassion only as far as you feel your heart opening naturally. Plant your seed of trust. It will grow in its season. Awakening Self-Compassion ~ Jack Kornfield
Cancer Center Meditation Support Group Meets June 19
Our monthly mindfulness meditation support group meeting at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025. The Cancer Center is located at 7350 West Deschutes Avenue, Kennewick. The sessions, which are held on the third Thursday of each month, are meant for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their caregivers. The session this month will begin at 12:00 pm at the Cancer Center in… Continue reading
Sangha News 6/3/25
Thursday evening info: Over the next month or so we’ll explore the Buddha’s teachings on four qualities of the heart that support us in our lives and practice, and can help us to cultivate an open heart. These four qualities, lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, are usually known as the Brahmaviharas or the four immeasurables.… Continue reading
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Gil Fronsdal’s book “The Issue at Hand” has a couple of chapters on metta. One describes the qualities of metta, and the second is a brief introduction to metta practice in meditation. You can find those chapters here: The Issue at Hand Chapter 21:Metta And here: The Issue at Hand Chapter 22: Loving-Kindness Meditation Mark… Continue reading
Quote for the Week
In a very real way the domain of the people we initially feel indifferent toward is the most generous and selfless domain of the path of metta. Cultivating metta with those we feel indifferent toward is an act of profound generosity and care. Indifference disappears in any moment we see another person wholeheartedly. ~ Christina… Continue reading
Tri-Cities Interfaith Potluck, June 1, 2025
Members of the community are restarting the interfaith potlucks that were held in the Tri-Cities prior to the pandemic. The potlucks are a great way of increasing mutual respect and understanding among people of different faith traditions. The first potluck will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on June 1 at Lord of Life… Continue reading
Sangha News 5/20/25
Thursday evening info: Over the next month or so we’ll explore the Buddha’s teachings on four qualities of the heart that support us in our lives and practice, and can help us to cultivate an open heart. These four qualities, lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, are usually known as the Brahmaviharas or the four immeasurables.… Continue reading
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Lion’s Roar has a page on their website that provides introductory information on metta and links to a number of more detailed articles and guided meditations on that topic. You can find their article here: Loving-Kindness Joanna Hardy discusses metta and the way you can practice it in meditation and in daily life. She also… Continue reading