Mini-Mindfulness Meditation Days in 2007

Saturday mornings from 8:30 to noon, these days include periods of sitting, discussion and a Dharma Talk. Reservations are necessary as our space is small. Please arrive on time. A 15 $ contribution is requested. For directions, click HERE.

These days are opportunities for mindfulness practice. That is the real purpose of each mindfulness day. The topics listed only there to help give a focus to the sharing and discussion. However, any topic that is on your mind is a good one to bring up in group or in private.

SEPTEMBER 15: INSPIRATION FROM NATURE (in Pointe Claire)
We will take the time to look at some Buddhist ideas about Nature: Nature as Interbeing. Nature outside and Nature inside, Nature as a guide to understanding reality, and a look at nature poetry not as literature, but as a way of life.

OCTOBER 13: THE NATURE OF MIND (at Padua)
Like Carl Gustav Jung, Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the great explorers of the nature of mind of the last hundred years. Yet, he does not claim originality, and attributes his insights to the Buddhist tradition, and his scholarship and documentation on this subject are impressive. He has carefully assembled the essentials of a sometimes confusing profusion of traditional literature, and interpreted it in the light of his deep experience. It all comes in handy when someone at work or in your own home does something incomprehensible. Some of this material is in his new book, Buddha Mind, Buddha Body. I picked up a few hints from it about how not to be a boring person, and the nature of inspiration!

NOVEMBER 10: TAKING REFUGE AND THE FIVE MINDFULNESS TRAININGS
(in Pointe-Claire)
Taking refuge brings the teachings from a theoretical level up to a practical and personal level for each of us. We make a commitment to using the practice when faced with important moments and important decisions. This is when we begin to use this practice in earnest. This mindfulness day is not only for those who are taking refuge, though. If you are not planning to take refuge, you might find that this occasion will help you to gain a deeper understanding of what it means. If you are planning to take refuge, you need to write to Joseph Emet at jemet @  cooptel . qc.ca (please remove the spaces!) and apply for it by November 3rd.

DECEMBER 8: RELATIONSHIPS—WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN’T
(at Padua)
“The Buddha identified ignorance as the second noble truth. We create ignorance through poor communication. Misunderstanding begins in the microcosm, between two people. But if your relationships are good, then you are happy, your health improves, and you will be more successful in your enterprise”  (TNH, 2007)
We will explore the nature of good relationships and of good communication in the light of mindfulness.

JANUARY 26, 2008: A WARM-UP FOR VALENTINE’S DAY—BUDDHIST TEACHINGS ON LOVE (in Pointe-Claire)
We know love as an emotion through literature, through Shakespeare and other poets. Is this emotion compatible with equanimity? Thich Nhat Hanh says that it is. He also says that where there is true love there is also joy. Moving on, we will look at ways of showing our love.

FEBRUARY 23: MINDFULNESS IN POETRY AND SONG (at Padua)
Practicing with gathas (practice verses) is an important part of this tradition. Gathas are like worms; if you manage to keep them in mind, or at least in sight by placing them in strategic spots, they will penetrate the heart, and do their work from the inside. A long time practitioner writes: "One of my favorite gathas is 'As I carefully sweep the ground of enlightenment, a tree of understanding springs up from the earth.' It makes sweeping a joy." There are such verses for all kinds of occasions. By using them appropriately, we ground our practice in everyday activities, and gain a powerful ally.
During this day, we will make practice gathas personal and appropriate for each of us.

MARCH 22: REVISITING HAPPINESS (in Pointe-Claire)
The Four Noble Truths, the core teaching of the Buddha are about happiness. The 14 Mindfulness Trainings, Thich Nhat Hanh’s compilation of some of the essential Buddhist teachings also point towards happiness. They urge us to look at our notions and our ideologies in a new way. We can see that with dogmatic thinking, we lose the capacity to love.

APRIL 26: FINDING PEACE (at Padua)
 “Dear friends, let us enjoy the practice of mindful breathing. If a person knows how to skilfully practice mindful breathing, and does so consistently, he will find his body and mind peaceful; he will acquire positive investigations and reflections; his mind will be calm and pure; he will have perceptions leading to wisdom and be able to bring his practice to completion.”  (Sutra on Mindful Breathing