Mick will facilitate on Monday, January 9.
In this time of great suffering, unrest and discord, strong emotions arise, stay for a while,transform and pass away. With the chaos of the past week, unfolding short miles away from many of our homes, it can be a lot to process. It is our good fortune to have the refuge, the shelter of your mindfulness practice and our sangha/community.
Thich Nhat Hanh writes that to practice:
We have to take refuge. This means that we have to base our practice on some ground that helps us be stable. It is like building a house—you have to build it on solid ground. If we look around and inside ourselves, we can find out what is stable for us, and we can take refuge in it. We should be careful not to take refuge in what is unstable.
Our sangha community has grown and become even stronger and more stable over the past year. In visiting Plum Village seven years ago, the one thing that I remember most is that so many of the people there were searching for a community of practice, a true refuge. Many had travelled thousands of miles to find the refuge of the sangha. Supporting each is so vital at this time.
This Monday night I will offer a guided RAIN meditation in which you Recognize--Allow--Investigate w. Care and Nurture what is arising within yourself.
I look forward to our time of stopping together to turn inward and then outward in sharing as we take refuge together.
Mindfulness Bell article on Taking Refuge--By Thich Nhat Hanh