Thursday evening Info:
The Thursday night talks over the next couple of months will explore the Buddha’s first and most important teachings, on stress and suffering, the causes of stress and suffering, and the path that can lead to relief from them. A resource that we’ll draw on for the talks and discussion is Phillip Moffitt’s book Dancing with Life. We’ll also provide links to resources available on the internet. Go to Updated Resources on the website to access those links.
After the 7:00 pm online meditation on Thursday, 9/5/24, there will be a discussion of our experience in letting go of the causes of stress and discomfort in meditation and in our daily lives, even if those moments are brief and fleeting. The following Thursday, 9/12/24, Chris will give a talk introducing the Buddha’s teachings on the fourth noble truth, which outlines a path that leads to the end of suffering. Known as the Eightfold path, these teachings provide suggestions for living a life of wisdom and ethical action through meditation.
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Meditation Group Picnic on September 11th
We’ll hold a picnic for the meditation group on Wednesday, September 11, at Leslie Groves Park in Richland, from 5:30 pm till 7:00 pm. We’ll be in Shelter #1, the one closest to the river and volleyball courts, where we’ve held our picnics before (several years ago now!). We will provide: Table cloths, utensils (forks, knives, spoons), plates, napkins, cups, a big water jug, iced tea, lemonade, and a cooler with ice. Please bring a potluck dish to share and any utensils needed to serve it. You may also want to bring a folding chair. There is seating on benches in the picnic shelter, but additional seating may be needed. All participants in the meditation group are welcome to attend, even if you’re new or if you haven’t been participating in the last few years. Spouses, family, and significant others are also welcome. If you’re planning to attend, please RSVP to this email: [email protected].
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Insight Meditation Group Film Series begins on October 4
Please join us Friday Oct. 4th from 7-9pm in the Parish Hall at All Saints for our first Sangha movie night! We will be showing ” The Monk and the Gun”. The movie will start promptly at 7pm and there will be an optional discussion afterwards. The show, refreshments and fellowship are free, donations will be gladly accepted.
Official Synopsis: The Monk And The Gun captures the wonder and disruption as Bhutan becomes one of the world’s youngest democracies. Known throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and its emphasis on Gross National Happiness, the remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan was the last nation to connect to the internet and television. And if that weren’t enough change, the King announced shortly afterwards that he would cede his power to the people via their vote and a new form of government: Democracy.
An elderly lama (Kelsang Choejey), recognizing that extraordinary change is about to sweep through his country, is troubled by the possible outcomes. He instructs his young disciple Tashi (Tandin Wangchuk) to set forth into the kingdom and bring him two guns before the full moon to “set it right.” The young monk is perplexed by his guru’s request, and his familiarity with guns is based solely on images from the only film available on television: James Bond. His quest brings him into contact with a scheming American gun collector Ron (Harry Einhorn), leading to a most unexpected outcome.
Watch the Trailer: https://www.themonkandthegunmovie.com/videos/
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Weekly Meditation Schedule:
In-Person Meetings:
Our in-person meetings take place at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1322 Kimball Avenue in Richland. Our in-person meditation meetings are offered on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. We meditate for half an hour, followed by an optional time for sharing and conversation after meditation. No problem if you just want to meditate and then leave.
Chairs are available in the meeting hall. However, if you prefer to use your own chair, blanket, cushion or bench, you are welcome to bring it. The meetings are held in the Parish Hall at the rear of the church.
Those who regularly attend the in-person meetings have developed a masking policy for when we meet indoors. When community levels of Covid are low ; masks will be optional. When community levels are medium or high, masks will be required. If there is any attending member that feels more comfortable with everyone masking, we will all mask in support of the most vulnerable among us.
Online Meetings:
In addition to our in-person meetings we have three online meditations a week, on Wednesday morning, Thursday evening, and Saturday morning. The Zoom links for those meetings can be found on the Events Calendar. You’re welcome to join us online for any of the 3 meetings each week.
During the Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday online meetings, we “sit together” for meditation for half an hour. Meditations include guided meditations, meditations with some initial guidance and instruction, and silent meditations. The Wednesday morning meditation starts at 9:30 am, with half an hour of meditation, followed by half an hour of sharing. On Thursday evenings there is a talk or discussion and sharing following meditation. Meditation is from 7:30 until 8:00 pm, with the talk and discussion ending at about 9:00 pm. The Saturday morning meditation starts at 8:00 am, with half an hour of meditation followed by half an hour of sharing.
If you can’t or don’t wish to join the online sessions you can just meditate at the same time as we’re meeting and know that there are others from the group who are meditating with you.
We’re looking forward to welcoming some of you in person and being there online for others.
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Meditation Support Group Meets at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center
We’ll continue our monthly mindfulness meditation support group meeting at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, 7350 West Deschutes Avenue, Kennewick. The meeting will be on Thursday, 9/19/2024. 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 the Cancer Center in the Wellness Center. If you have a serious illness other than cancer, or are a caregiver for someone who is ill, you’re welcome to attend the sessions. Each session includes a brief review of mindfulness and mindful self-compassion meditations and the role they can play in reducing the anxiety arising from diagnosis and treatment, an opportunity to ask questions, and the chance to practice meditation with others.
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Volunteers at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center
The Insight Meditation group has supported Buddhist meditation groups at the state prison in Connell, WA since 2003. Those visits were on hold during the height of the pandemic but resumed last year. Currently we have two volunteers visiting the medium-security prison on Monday afternoons and we are seeking additional volunteers to support that effort, especially when our lead volunteer isn’t available.
There are several requirements for those volunteering at the prison. Orientation and training are required. Applicants also need to undergo a background investigation. Applicants with a criminal background need to be off of supervision or parole for a year before applying.
Those applying to volunteer should have a regular meditation practice and at least some knowledge of Buddhist teachings and be willing to learn more so that you can discuss Buddhist practice with the inmates. If you’re interested, please contact Chris Murray for more information about volunteering at Coyote Ridge.
Warm regards,
Insight Meditation of the Mid-Columbia