Monday, January 6, we will meet online.
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Dear friends,
This week, we will meet Monday evening, Jan. 6th, from 7-8:30PM EST online; Wednesday morning, Jan 8th, from 7-8AM EST in person at our meditation space (3812 Northampton Street NW); and Friday, Jan. 10th, 12-1PM EST online.
On Monday night Camille will facilitate. Camille shares:
Breathing in, I calm my body and mind. Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment.
I have arrived. I am home, in the here and in the now.
Happiness is available in the present moment.
Awareness of impermanence allows us to touch deeply the reality of life and live deeply in the present moment.
These mantras of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) are some of the many mantras that I repeat to myself often, especially when feeling lost or not very grounded. Like many of us, I experienced much suffering in this past year, both emotionally and physically–in my loved ones, in myself, and in the world. My practice of mindfulness–walking, sitting, eating, singing, going to sangha, and hearing the words of my sangha and Thay–helps me slow down, take better care of myself, and nourish myself by coming back to my body, breath, and mind.
On Monday, I will be sharing a portion of one of Thay’s videos that really resonated with me called “Surrender Yourself to the Present Moment.” It is shared here. This link is the video in its entirety if you are not able to join online.
In the video, Thay talks about how important it is to practice “stopping” to be fully present in the here and in the now for ourselves and others. The Buddhist term for stopping is Samatha, the practice of not searching for something or running after something, but to be at ease in the present moment. He also shares that this practice goes together with the practice of looking deeply, called Vipasyana, which in turn leads to Insight. Thay shares that Samatha and Vipasyana are two wings of the bird that support us on the path of insight and transformation.
May we stop and practice together on Monday night and share our insights in the present moment.
I look forward to seeing you online.
Much love,
Camille