Sunday, May 23, 2010

My Life is My Work

"With the support of the Sangha, one can practice successfully, with ease, and accomplish quickly the great aspiration to help all beings."
-the 14th of the Fourteen Versus on Meditation by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh

Monday, May 24, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Buddhist Puja & Blessing Ceremony
Tuesday, May 25, 7 - 9 p.m.
Sitting, Walking, Deep Listening, Tea and Dharma Talk


Last week of Resting with Peace Retreat
Today is the last day of our fast, and the start of the last week of our Resting with Peace RetreatThe ends of retreats are good times to consider what our path in life really is.  It is a wonderful opportunity, and I invite you all, to share your aspirations, your hopes, your dreams, your concerns and your joys.  Offering your presence is one way of sharing your aspiration.  Without words, you sit, you walk, you listen and what you are offering is food for the community of practitioners and beyond to thrive on.  And when you attend community events, you are ingesting the aspiration of those people around you.  So wonderful when we meet together in peace, in freedom, in joy and solidity.  I am confident in our ability as a sangha, a community of dedicated practitioners, to feed each other well.  I have felt well-fed after Tuesday Nights and other events I have facilitated and participated in with our community and many of you have expressed similar sentiments. 


A talk on Impermanence and sharing my aspiration
The other day I offered a talk on Impermanence; in the talk I shared my deepest aspiration and one of my deepest loves.  So much of my life revolves around my spiritual practice--which isn't just spiritual it is emotional, it is physical, it is psychological--it is life itself.  And when I sit on the lion seat, my cushion, or whatever I sit on for meditation and when I offer a talk about the practice and about my life that's when I feel so in love.  And that passion and energy flows into so many other aspects of my life. 


Thay's story in July 2010 issue of Shambhala Sun
I once heard Thay speak about his work as a Dharma Teacher, a Poet and a Social Activist, he said, "My life is my work."  How he lives is his practice.  Everything he is doing is contributing to society.  The new issue of Shambhala Sun Magazine which can be purchased at bookstores like Barnes & Nobles and Borders or natural foods markets like Whole Foods has featured articles on Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's life.  It is interesting to know the history of this tradition.  All of what I have talked of during our events together this month have been inspired by Thay's work, Thay's life.  Thank you all, near and far, for supporting and being a part of Resting with Peace.


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Saturday, May 15, 2010

Sixth Day of Resting with Peace



"Looking deeply into reality to see the true nature of all dharmas, meditation helps us to let go of all seeking, wishing, and fears." from Chanting from the Heart by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, the sixth of Fourteen Verses for Meditation.

It is the sixth day of our fasting retreat and fourteen days of mindfulness here in Las Vegas.  We have had many wonderful opportunities to join together as a community.  The Day of Mindfulness on May 8 at Stillpoint was a great success.  Attending were twelve bright Buddhas who sat, walked, sang, ate listened deeply and spoke with loving speech during our many hours together.  I was sorry we did not get a photo of us as I would have liked to include it in this blog.

We did make a recording of the talk I offered and will be posting it in ten-minute clips on youtube as each is ready.  Many people have expressed interest in joining us on our fast, even if for a few days.  Others have joined us in their own way by sending their warm energy and support.

The Buddhist Puja/Blessing Ceremony on May 10, the first day of our retreat was wonderful.  Linda sprinkled the consecrated water using a juniper branch onto participants as the rest of us held the peace mudra and chanted Namo 'Valokiteshvara, awakening our seeds of compassion and the energy to support ourselves and others in their healing journey.

Tuesday Night, May 11, I spoke of four practices to include in our retreat and our daily life: Noble Silence, Hugging Meditation, Loving-Kindness and Total Relaxation.  All can be found in Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's book Happiness.  The night concluded with a reading of my new poem that was featured in Tendrel, Naropa University's Diversity Journal. The talks from Resting with Peace are posted on my lulu site http://www.lulu.com/briankimmelstore.  Please comment on this blog, especially if you have participated in any of our events and let others know the experience you had.  You can also comment on talks you download for free.  Until we meet again.    Smiling, Brian



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