The moment of compassion any one of us feels is as pure, as deep, as direct [as a moment of compassion by the Dalai Lama]; but what happens is that we get lost more often. We get distracted, we forget, we get caught up in something else. But we don’t necessarily have to make our… Continue reading
Author: Jon Swanson
Tri-Cities Cancer Center Meditation Support Group Meets July 17th
We’ll continue our monthly mindfulness meditation support group meeting at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center in May. The Cancer Center is located at 7350 West Deschutes Avenue, Kennewick and the next meeting will be Thursday,7/17/2025. The sessions, which are held on the third Thursday of each month, are meant for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their caregivers. The session will begin at 12:00 pm at… Continue reading
Sangha News 7/1/25
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
Bodhipaksa has a good article on self-compassion that includes several approaches we can include in our practice of self-compassion. As his title and the quote above suggests, he has found self-compassion practice to be one of the most important practices he’s encountered in his long history of meditation practice. You can find his article here:… Continue reading
Quote for the Week
Self-compassion is the most radically transformative practice that I’ve stumbled upon in more than 30 years of exploring Buddhism. It’s helped me to cope with many difficulties I’ve faced, ranging from the mundane challenge of a child’s tantrum, to financial problems and even serious illness. It’s helped me to become kinder and more compassionate not… Continue reading
Beginning Meditation Classes ~ August 3 – August 17, 2025
There are three remaining Beginning Meditation classes scheduled in our current series. The classes will be held on Sunday, August 3, August 10, and August 17. The classes will be conducted in person at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1322 Kimball Avenue, Richland, in the Parish Hall. There is no charge for the classes; donations are… Continue reading
Sangh News 6/17/25
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
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