This Monday February 12, we will meet in person.
Go to calendar for our schedule
Address for OHMC meditation space:
3812 Northampton St. NW, Washington DC 20015
Please arrive a few minutes early so we can invite the bell on time. You may also arrive 15 minutes early to practice working meditation by helping us set up cushions.
Dear friends,
This week we will meet Monday from 7-8:30PM EST in person at our meditation space (3812 Northampton Street NW), Wednesday morning from 7-8AM EST online, and Friday 12-1PM EST online.
This Monday evening Ellen will facilitate. Ellen shares:
Lately, I’ve been thinking about awareness, its connection to mindfulness and the power of awareness in bringing more compassion, connection and pausing.
In Thay’s book, Peace Is Every Step, he has an entry called “Nourishing Awareness in Each Moment.” He talks about the “lures” in life, the things that lead us to become “lost and scattered.” I recognized the “lures” or distractions that pull me in different directions every day. They pull me away from myself and from true, compassionate connection with others.
As Annie described in her write up on Making more space for stillness, I’ve started to make a point of NOT listening to podcasts when I walk in Rock Creek Park near my house. I try not to think or plan, though that’s hard. But I’ve had rewarding moments like the moment when I was more aware, more present and saw an incredible gorgeous woodpecker.
Awareness is also related to concentration, something Thay writes about in The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh. He focuses on the experience of having a cup of tea “... and being 100% there….You are truly there, absolutely alive, fully present.”
Plum Village and mindfulness communities like Opening Heart give us the chance to refresh our awareness and deepen our connections. I can practcie being aware of how I’m doing, being aware of what’s going on with others, being aware of needs in the community, and being aware that I am part of a larger community.
I am curious what comes up when you reflect on awareness, how you cultivate it and connect it to your mindfulness.
I look forward to our gathering Monday night in person.
Ellen