November's High-spirited Meeting

      As expected the discussion morphed into a wide range of topics after the initial one was addressed, and was accompanied by much laughter. There was agreement that the sangha has aided several of us in integrating into a new environment here in the south. The connecting with others who share the same general perspective was noted as an impotant part of spiritual growth and maintaining a connection to our intentions.
      There was discussion on the difficulty of being self-motivated with regard to actual sitting meditation. Several suggestions were discussed including adjusting our activities and time allotted to work and pleasure. Likely causes for our apparent torpor in this area ranged from lack of time, feeling that other activities are more important, and simply the nature of our thought processes. But that in the end the most important aspect was establishing and maintaining a routine, not how long one sits.
      It was noted how learning another's point of view, as well as hearing ourselves state our own, can be a valuable "editor" as to what we really think or feel. Also, that we find it reinforcing when we something  shared in the group yesterday strikes us in a serendipitous moment during some unrelated activity a week later.
      The group has been instrumental in allowing some of us to recognize that while we can have an opinion about anything - so can everyone else. And this has led to an ability to listen to a point of view that may be different than our own without judgment or censure. To be open to others perspectives and understand that we all have a right to our own and how when adopted, this understanding translates into the rest of our lives.
      A book worthy of our attention was introduced -  A Path with Heart, by Jack Kornfield - and was quoted numerous times. One such quote was that "love and letting go can be the same thing" and was echoed, with a nod by all, in the statement by one of our own when she remarked, "love and beauty are here and it's authentic." What more can be said.
      In a rare, quick, and decisive move we agreed that our next meeting will be at Ginny and Claudine's on December 19th. The subject will be:

How can we be non-resistant to the moment but still work for change?



      And in the interest of the season we might also want to take the next month to ponder just how the practice may have informed our present attitude toward the holiday season and what it means to you today.

      We also decided to take a field trip to the Chapel Hill Soto Zen Group for a dharma talk by its Abbess, Josho Pat Phelan Sensei. Organization for that trip will focus on January 16th with our regular meeting on the 23rd. Information will follow in the coming weeks so keep your "cyber-ears on."