November 1st -- Wesley UMC at King & 8th (see important details below)
This month we will have two sessions of our usual silent meditation then conversation on aligning our lives with the Dhamma of Awakening and the practice of the Middle Way.
As November begins midst the first signs of Winter, Santikaro will share central perspectives from Under the Bodhi Tree, Ajahn Buddhadasa's recently published book on dependent co-arising.
Group friends have been
reading the book since it came out in May and have asked for occasional
conversations exploring its teachings and implications, along with how
to respond to them in practice.
Ajahn Buddhadasa
constantly emphasized the importance of being mindful in the moment of
"contact," when a sense experience is objectified and has meaning.
"Meaningful" runs the spectrum of negative and positive. From there, we
either respond mindfully and wisely or react habitually, often
destructively. This highlights the importance of cultivating mindfulness
in all areas of life that are meaningful.
Participation doesn't depend on having read the book. Perhaps you will be inspired to do so after Wednesday's conversation.
|
For New Meditators! Let us know in advance and we can arrange to meet at 6:00 pm to give basic meditation instructions. Follow up instruction can also be arranged. Just reply to this email.
These teachings fall within the framework of the noble eightfold path and middle way.
We often ask how the path can ground and guide us midst the challenges,
storms, and provocations swirling around us and inside us. What are the
realities of being mindful, kind, responsive, undistracted, and
imperturbable midst the sorrows and the joys?
In the original presentation, the path is a
harmonious weaving of 8 strands of Rightness, Intelligence, and Skill that culminates in
True-Right Knowing and Liberation.
Location information -- Important! The church doors are usually locked. The evening's hosts will arrive early to set up and meet you at the door.
Please use the 721 King Street entrance,
where one of us will be waiting to greet you. Knock if you don't see
anyone. There will be plenty of parking on the street. The church also
has parking space off of 8th St.
Meditation starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before then. The "Lounge" where we will be meeting has many chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your own mat and cushion.
Dāna
(donations, gifts, free-will offerings) to sustain Liberation Park and
support our work are most welcome. Santikaro and Liberation Park depend
on donations as sole means of support. A donation is also made to Wesley
UMC for kindly hosting us.
A sampler of Santikaro's talks from La Crosse and elsewhere are posted at
http://liberationpark.org/audio/index.htmNext sessions:
November 1st & 15th and
December 6th.
