This week Annie & Brigitte will facilitate on the subject of Second Body. What is it and what are the benefits of this practice?
Thay has given us many practices for the sangha to become the environment in which we all feel connected, where understanding and compassion are the base for our relationships. The Second Body practice, is one of these that helps us take care of each other.
Second body practice begins with two practitioners. Over time, mindful speech and deep listening create a relational field that fosters deeper exploration and allows for sharing that may not be possible in the larger circle of the sangha.
We are very familiar with the concept of doing things on our own. And these days, with cell phones and computers, we spend more time alone than ever.
"As social media reshapes how we connect, we have to rethink what we need to feel fulfilled in our relationships, and realize that no amount of tweets, texts or Facebook status updates can provide it. ..So as we have built expansive social networks online, the depth of our networks offline has decreased. " -- Margie Warrell in Forbes
Thich Nhat Hanh describes the second body practice as:
"The practice of the second body is one way we take care of each other in the Sangha. Each member of the Sangha needs a second body. When you go to sitting meditation, you invite your second body. If your second body is sick, you have to know that your second body is sick, and look for a doctor or someone to help... You don't have to be better than your second body, you need to help your second body."
Having a second body means we know that someone else in the practice is there for us, if we need it. If we have a problem with something or a joy to share, we can share it with our second body.
And, as more and more people practice second body and get to know each other better, the sangha becomes a true refuge, where shared reality is fully experienced, away from the sense of loneliness that is so prevalent in our society.
This week we will talk about second body practice and how we might find ways to practice with it.
with love and gratitude for your understanding, and for our second body practice, a treasure beyond treasure,
brigitte & annie.