The next series of Beginning Meditation classes is coming in early February. We’re adding an additional class to the series, which will begin on Sunday, Feb 5, 2023 and continue for 5 Sunday afternoons. The classes will be conducted online via Zoom. The classes are intended to work together to provide an introduction to meditation… Continue reading Beginning Meditation Classes: Feb 5th thru Mar 5th
News
Sangha News 12/26/22
Thursday, December 29, we’ll have a shortened program, with the normal half-hour meditation at 7:30 and time for a brief exchange of greetings and sharing. The following Thursday, January 5, 2023, we’ll return to our normal program. After the 7:30 pm meditation, Chris will give a talk on the hindrance of restlessness and worry. In some ways, this… Continue reading Sangha News 12/26/22
National Day of Racial Healing 1/17/23
Washington State University and its local branch campus are participating in the National Day of Racial Healing on January 17, 2023. There will be a strong emphasis in the day’s events on healing and contemplation, including guided meditations on pausing, self-compassion, mindfulness, and racial healing and transformation. Two of the events will be guided by members of… Continue reading National Day of Racial Healing 1/17/23
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Gil Fronsdal provides a good discussion of the hindrance of restlessness and worry and the importance of working with it in order to settle the mind and see clearly. You can find his article here: The Hindrance of Restlessness and Worry. Another good article on restlessness and worry comes from the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society. You… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Quote for the Week
“In the case of restlessness-and-worry, anything that calms the mind will be helpful. A useful tool is attention to the joy of being in the present moment, in particular with emphasis on resting in whole-body awareness. Relaxing into this joy will allow body and mind to become calm and tranquil, thereby directly opposing the tension… Continue reading Quote for the Week
Sangha News 12/12/22
Thursday, December 15, Chris will give a talk after the 7:30 pm meditation on the hindrance of sleepiness and mental sluggishness in meditation and in life. The talk will include some discussion of the causes of lethargy and suggestions for working with it, especially in meditation. The following Thursday, 12/22, there will be a discussion of the… Continue reading Sangha News 12/12/22
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Gil Fronsdal provides a good discussion of the hindrance of sleepiness and sluggishness, classically translated as “sloth and torpor.” He includes information on many of the causes of lethargy and ways that we can be aware of it and work with it. You can find his article here: The Hindrance of Sloth and Torpor
Quote for the Week
“The presence of sloth and torpor [lethargy] does not mean that energy is not available. It means we are not accessing it. With a change in conditions, energy may reappear in a moment. This can be seen clearly in young children who switch from being “tired” (while shopping) to being energetic (about an offer of… Continue reading Quote for the Week
Sangha News 11/28/22
On Thursday, 12/1, Chris will give a talk on the hindrance of anger and aversion after the 7:30 pm meditation. Aversion can impact our meditation as well as our daily life. The following Thursday, 12/8, there will be a discussion of anger and aversion and the ways in which people relate to it. Chapter VIII in Bhikkhu Analayo’s… Continue reading Sangha News 11/28/22
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Gil Fronsdal describes the hindrance of ill will, including anger and aversion, and describes some strategies for relating to aversion. You can find his article here: The Hindrance of Ill Will Thanissara, a Buddhist teacher and social activist, talks about the importance of anger and the ways in which it can help wake us up to the… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support