Monday, November 27, we will meet online.
Dear Friends,
This week we will meet Monday from 7-8:30PM EST online, Wednesday morning from 7-8AM in person at our meditation space (3812 Northampton Street NW), and Friday 12-1PM EST online.
Annie will facilitate on Monday evening. After we enjoy guided deep relaxation, walking meditation and silent sitting meditation, we will read the Five Mindfulness Trainings together and focus on the Fourth Training: Loving Speech and Deep Listening.
The Fourth Mindfulness Training reminds us of all of the suffering that can be caused by speaking unmindfully and not listening well to others. During the holidays, we often spend time with our families, whether chosen or blood. We can reflect on how we might practice loving speech and deep listening using the Fourth Mindfulness Training:
Loving Speech and Deep Listening
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations.
Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to speaking truthfully using words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope.
When anger is manifesting in me, I am determined not to speak. I will practice mindful breathing and walking in order to recognize and to look deeply into my anger. I know that the roots of anger can be found in my wrong perceptions and lack of understanding of the suffering in myself and in the other person.
I will speak and listen in a way that can help myself and the other person to transform suffering and see the way out of difficult situations.
I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to utter words that can cause division or discord.
I will practice Right Diligence to nourish my capacity for understanding, love, joy, and inclusiveness, and gradually transform anger, violence, and fear that lie deep in my consciousness.
When we meet on Monday, we will have the time to share how we practice with this training.
with love,
annie.