As human beings we are subject to continual changes in life. The Taoists spoke about the ten thousand sorrows and the ten thousand joys. Joy turns to sorrow. Sorrow turns to joy. No one is exempt. Equanimity is the liberating quality that allows us to keep our hearts open and balanced, quiet and steady, in… Continue reading Quote for the Week
News
Sangha News 10/18/23
Thursday evening Info: The current series of Thursday night talks are exploring topics related to meditation in more detail, with the current focus on meditations to help us to open to kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. The talks will be self-contained, and we’ll provide resources for the meditation approaches covered in the talks (see Updated Resources… Continue reading Sangha News 10/18/23
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Sharon Salzberg wrote an article that introduces equanimity and shows how it leads to wisdom and supports the other three heart-centered qualities. You can find her article here: What Equanimity Means in Buddhism Kaira Jewel Lingo provides a description of equanimity that discusses the difference between indifference and equanimity. It also shows us how equanimity… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Quote for the Week
There’s peace in cultivating equanimity, and in that peace there is great power; the two go hand in hand. Through equanimity, we fortify ourselves with nonfear, with compassion, with acceptance. We cultivate the strength to face reality without being crushed by it. This is what love looks like. How Equanimity Powers Love ~ Kaira Jewel… Continue reading Quote for the Week
Events with Debra Seido Martin ~ November 4 and 5, 2023
A Zen retreat with Debra Seido Martin will be held on Saturday, November 4th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The retreat is now open for registration and will be hosted by the Walla Walla Dharma Sangha. See below for contact information to register. The retreat will be a hybrid retreat, with some people attending the… Continue reading Events with Debra Seido Martin ~ November 4 and 5, 2023
Sangha News 10/4/23
Seeking Help with the Newsletter The IMMC is looking for someone to help with the newsletter. This would include entering and editing the newsletter using the Constant Contact app, the web-based software we use to compose and send out the newsletter. The newsletter is sent out every two weeks. Anyone interested should be reasonably comfortable… Continue reading Sangha News 10/4/23
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Jack Kornfield has a two-part article that discusses how some have interpreted Buddhism as a pessimistic practice focused on suffering, but he emphasizes the importance of opening to joy. He also provides some guidance on practices that can help open to innate joy. You can find his articles here: Natural Joy and Here: Natural Joy… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
Quote for the Week
When love meets pain it becomes compassion. When love meets happiness, it becomes joy. Joy is an expression of the awakened heart, a quality of enlightenment. When we live in the present, joy often arises for no reason. Natural Joy ~ Jack Kornfield
Sangha News 9/18/23
Thursday evening, 9/21, there will be an open discussion after the 7:00 pm online meditation of the practice of tonglen, a meditation practice that encourages the development of compassion. The following Thursday, 9/28, Chris will give a talk after meditation on joy, the third of the immeasurable states, and describe practices to open to joy in… Continue reading Sangha News 9/18/23
Updated Resources for Meditation and Support
In Western culture we typically associate joy with external, conditional events. However, there is a form of joy that is unconditional and available in any circumstances. Scott Tusa describes this practice of innate or unconditional joyfulness as a radical act. You can find his article here: Joy is a Radical Act Oren Jay Sofer describes… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support