December Synopsis

      We all enjoyed another spirited meeting. Special thanks were in order as we took a moment to reflect on the season. I will take this as another opportunity to tell you all how much our meetings mean to me. They are a very important part of my practice. And I respect each of you as teachers as well as fellow travelers. I consider myself honored and extremely blessed to have you all as my friends.
      Nadine began the discussion by reiterating our topic and offering personal examples. She brought out the importance of recognizing that the idea of "letting go" is but one aspect of a three part process. A process that can be understood by having a solid grasp of impermanence as the fondation on our intellectual, as well as material, existence.
      First we need to recognize our reactions (anger, fear, etc.) to what is presented to us, and then we must "let go" of the emotional or judgmental component of our reaction, and finally, with the resulting openness or objectivity that arises, we can skillfully decide on an action based on the issue and not attachment to our emotions or intellectual stories about the issue.
      Ken pointed out - astutely I might add - that I tend toward what appears to be obfuscating explanations for simple ideas. With that in mind I offer what may be a more concise sentence; we let go of emotional baggage so a solution can be seen based on the issue and not my feelings about it.
      The issue of self and real-self was brought up with regard to those aspects of ourselves that we are aware or conscious of, versus those that we come to know only when we are elightened by others observations. This brought observations about the notion of a metaphoric "psychological" versus a "spiritual" self in the literature. Specifically, the self being synonymous with the psychological construct called the ego and the real-self (or Self) being understood as being akin to the idea of "cosmic unconscious," or Buddha Nature, or Oneness, depending on one's spiritual proclivities: all of which point us to the interconnectedness which is our true nature. A reminder that words are all simply metaphors; fingers pointing to the moon.
      Mary Ann once again shared her heart in the following poem which beautifully embodies both the place and the process.
      How much we are blessed!  

The Practice

The Practice isn’t David Kelley’s creation!
Its practitioners meet at Ginny’s and Claudine’s, a shrine where the outdoors breathes indoors.
Large trees hug the parameters.
Talk grows in the air, fast forwards and reverses.
The practice has become a home for the heart of matters - an attempt to iron out the creases of the soul in thoughtful action.
It’s another name for love in action, authentic in deed and word.
Practice is sitting with thought, bowing in prayer, walking to faith.
The road home is on the way.
The path is the practice.
It holds the tears, the joy, the open air balloon that sails next to the puffy clouds aside the lark’s nest.
It opens the windows of gratitude and compassion.
Love just naturally grows from the practice.

Thanks Ginny, Claudine, Nadine, Bob , Elizabeth, Mary, Ken, Constance, and Mary Beth, for adding a new dimension to my practice.
I find healing in our Sunday shrine.
Mary Ann Weatherman 12/19/10
                                                               
And thank you, Mary Ann, for so open and offering your self to us through your beautiful writings.

      We decided the next meeting will be on January 16th and the topic is forthcoming and will be forwarded as soon as it arrives.
      I will continue to dialogue with the Chapel Hill Zen Center regarding our visit and will pass on information as it arrives.
      May you all have a safe and rewarding holiday season.