Our monthly newsletter for November 2012...on gratitefulness!
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Admirable Friends Dharma Flower Sangha Newsletter NOVEMBER 2012
Dis-Ease?
GRATEFULNESS
Tam Gioi (Chris O'Brien) Recognizing the availability of ease in the here & now, I wonder, why so much disease? While dwelling in the present moment, enjoying a beautiful day, a knot or bout of anxiety. Where did you come from? How do we say hello & let you go?
These two people are hard to find in the world. Which two? The one who is first to do a kindness, and the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done. Anguttara Nikaya 2.118 We all know what gratefulness is. Or do we? Here is Br. David
Steindl-Rast's
definition: “…it
is
our
full
appreciation of something altogether unearned, utterly gratuitous--life, existence, ultimate belonging--and this is
Grateful for this human birth & the births of all sentient beings, discord arises. Mindfulness, skillfulness & dwelling in the present moment will quiet the storm, won't it? Appreciative of the causes & conditions that allow for a sustaining livelihood, challenges appear. Hard work is supposed to equal stability isn't it? Aren't my co-workers supposed to do things the way I think they should?
the literal meaning of grate-full-ness. In a moment of gratefulness, you do not discriminate. You fully accept the whole of this given universe, as you are fully one with the whole.” This is not about writing thank-you notes. This is high-level spiritual practice! "Full
appreciation"
requires
our
mindfulness,
our
presence. And what about "unearned, utterly gratuitous"? Can we open ourselves to the possibility of gratefulness for something that we did nothing to earn? Have we noticed these gifts--"life, existence, ultimate belonging"? They are not material objects, not services rendered, not
A roller coaster ride. Climbing hills towards the wonder that is available in each moment. Let go off the crossbar, throw your hands up and plunge in to this moment...and this moment...and...
appreciation
Moments spent outside of this one; I think that is why there is so much dis-ease.
to embrace, to "fully accept," the entirety of our
Sangha news
gratefulness is present, we are not separated from our
We will hold a refuge ceremony on Thursday, December 6. Anyone wishing to take refuge and receive the precepts may do so on this date. Please contact Sister Phap Chan for more information.
experience nor are we separated from others. We might
The Dharma Flower Sangha Service and Practice Book is now available on the Web, to read online or to download. Look for it on the "Our Publications" page of our web site.
earned.
Life,
existence,
and
ultimate
belonging are our birthright as humans. Now consider how gratefulness requires that we "do not discriminate." Life, existence, and ultimate belonging aren't always beautiful and happy. Br. David is asking us existence...the good, the bad, the indifferent. And in doing this, we become "fully one with the whole." If
even suggest that gratefulness is the fifth Immeasurable Mind! Practicing mindfulness of gratitude consistently leads to a direct experience of being connected to life and the realization that there is a larger context in which your personal story is unfolding. Being relieved of the endless wants and worries of your life's drama, even temporarily, is liberating. Phillip Moffit
Each week, the sangha engages in a different practice. Here's our monthly schedule by week:
Learn more • The best resource on the Web for gratefulness
1. Deep Listening
• A touching video narrated by Br. David Steindl-Rast,
2. Dharma
"A Good Day" • A beautiful, short video by Louis Schwartzberg,
Contemplation 3. Precepts Recitation and Repentance 4. Dharma Talk and Dharma Discussion (No practice on Thanksgiving.) 5. Dharma Cake (yes...you read that correctly...CAKE! And, yes, November does have 5 Thursdays!)
"Take Time Out For Gratitude" • An ecumenical blessing to offer on Thanksgiving, by Thich Nhat Hanh • "Thanksgiving and Aimless Love," an audio Dharma talk by Joan Halifax Roshi • Learn about the Japanese practice of Naikan (gratitude) • Several enjoyable Web resources on gratefulness to explore
Dharma Flower Blog A few sample posts from our blog: • The purpose of
renunciation • Living in the Body: A Poem • Making a fresh start in life: repentance • Verses to purify the mind Also find us on Facebook and Meetup!
• "Thanks A Lot for Gratitude," a video Dharma talk by Ajahn Brahm • Movies with a focus on gratefulness..."Smell of Camphor,
Fragrance
of
Jasmine"; "Babette's
Feast"; "Wings of Desire" • "Gratitude in the Buddha's Teachings," a small booklet by Ven. Nyanadassana Bhikkhu • A lovely Buddhist song on gratitude (in Chinese with English translation) • Subscribe to an email service to receive quotes on gratefulness every day For children... • A song about gratitude from Plum Village that is great for children and adults • A video about gratitude, based on a traditional Native American prayer
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