Please join us tomorrow evening at 7:30 for a small session of sitting meditation. We will sit for the majority of our 90 minutes together with two periods of walking meditation as well.
0 Comments
Many of us let the circumstances of our lives harden us and make us increasingly afraid and even resentful. But does it have to be that way? Buddhists teach that there is a wisdom always available to us beyond our fears large and small. Is it possible that this wisdom is a state of openheartedness and tenderness? Please join us next year as we explore these teachings in Pema Chodron's book in The Places That Scare You.
Please join us next Tuesday as we welcome back Ven. Amy Miller.
November 28, 7:30 – 9:00pm At a time of giving thanks, it’s often helpful to hear about experiences and tools that can deepen our faith. Excerpts from Sharon Salzburg’s book, Faith, will be included along with personal experiences of how faith has opened up the spiritual path to the greatest benefit. Open to all levels. By donation. For more information, please visit amymiller.com For those of you not reading Sharon Salzberg's book Faith, here are the subjects we'll discuss this fall and winter.
Date Topic 9/19 Faith in Buddhism 9/26 The journal of faith (chapter 1) 10/3 Introduction to Meditation with Amy Miller 10/10 Falling in love: bright faith (chapter 2) 10/17 Verifying faith: the right to question (chapter 3) 10/24 Faith and fear (chapter 4) 10/31 Seasonal interlude: Fear in Buddhism 11/7 Introduction to Meditation 11/14 Despair: loss of faith (chapter 5) 11/21 Faith in action (chapter 6) 11/28 Seasonal interlude: Gratitude with Ven. Amy Miller 12/5 Introduction to Meditation 12/12 Abiding faith: faith in ourselves (chapter 7) 12/19 Year in review/TBA 12/26 Seasonal interlude: Silent night Western Buddhists may not talk as easily about the Buddhist faith as Christians or Jews refer to their faith. Nonetheless, there's a strong tradition of faith in Buddhist thought. For Buddhists, faith is not the belief in gods or an afterlife, nor even in karma and reincarnation. Instead, faith centers around a self-confidence that the teachings can be learnt, that the path brings joy and that our commitment to reducing the suffering of the world is worthwhile.
Join us this fall as we explore this topic through the teachings of Sharon Salzberg and her book Faith, together with Ven. Amy Miller and the members of our local Sangha. Date Topic 9/19 Faith in Buddhism 9/26 Sharon Salzberg's Faith, Chapter 1 10/3 Introduction to Meditation with Amy Miller 10/10 Sharon Salzberg's Faith, Chapter 2 10/17 Sharon Salzberg's Faith, Chapter 3 10/24 Sharon Salzberg's Faith, Chapter 4 10/31 Fear in Buddhism 11/7 Introduction to Meditation 11/14 Sharon Salzberg's Faith, Chapter 5 11/21 Sharon Salzberg's Faith, Chapter 6 11/28 Buddhist Faith with Amy Miller 12/5 Introduction to Meditation 12/12 Sharon Salzberg's Faith, Chapter 7 12/19 Year in review/TBA 12/26 Silent meditation Join us for an insightful evening with Venerable Amy Miller, a Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition, as we explore finding joy in everyday life.
We all wish to be happy, but we can't make happiness appear just by saying “I'd like to be happy.” Surprisingly, our individual joy is related to how much we consider others. Ven. Amy will discuss some passages from The Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu and how a slight change in our thinking can tremendously expand our happiness. Tuesday, August 8th at 7:30pm, The talk is free but all donations will support Ven. Amy and her work. More information at amymiller.com. In preparation for a new building going up on campus, the demolition of Papazian Hall and Whittier Place loop outside Friends Meetinghouse begins on Monday, June 19th. Construction of a new Whittier Place loop is expected to be completed by the end of August with construction of the new BEP builiding finished by 2019.
Friends Meetinghouse and Swarthmore Buddhadharma Meditation group will remain open throughout the summer and beyond. Access to the Meetinghouse will be clearly marked although the actual path to the Meetinghouse will change as demolition and construction proceed. Parking in this area of campus is now only available in Whittier lot just north of the BEP construction site. We hope to see you soon. This Tuesday, 5/23 we finish up our series on the four foundations of mindfulness. Next Tuesday, 5/30, we start The Book of Joy by Douglas Abrams, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. While technically a conversation between a Buddhist monk and a Christian archbishop, this book explores ideas applicable to all faith traditions. From exploring the nature of joy, to confronting the obstacles to joy through practicing the pillars of joy, we hope you can join us.
Date Topic Pages 5/30 The Book of Joy 27-58 Why are you not morose? Nothing beautiful comes without some suffering Have you renounced pleasure? 6/6 Introduction to Meditation 6/13 Our greatest joy 59-92 You are a masterpiece in the making 6/20 Fear, stress and anxiety: I would be very nervous 93-108 Frustration and anger: I would shout 6/27 Sadness and grief: the hard times that knit us more closely together Despair: the world is in such turmoil 109-124 7/4 July 4th Holiday 7/11 Loneliness: no need for introduction 125-144 Envy: that guy goes past yet again in his Mercedes-Benz 7/18 Suffering and adversity: passing through difficulties 145-170 Illness and fear of death: I prefer to go to Hell 7/25 Meditation: now I’ll tell you a secret thing 171-190 8/1 Introduction to Meditation 8/8 Perspective: there are many different angles 191-214 Humility: I tried to look humble and modest 8/15 Humor: laughter, joking is much better 215-228 Acceptance: the only place where change can begin 8/22 Forgiveness: freeing ourselves from the past 229-250 Gratitude: I am fortunate to be alive 8/29 Compassion: something we want to become 251-276 Generosity: we are filled with joy The Tara mantra is OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA. This very traditional chant is practiced by people of all walks of life, from everyday Buddhists to spiritual leaders such as his holiness the Dalai Lama and his holiness the Karmapa. What is the meaning of this practice? How should we best approach it? How can we integrate it into our lives?
Join us tomorrow night as Ven. Amy Miller (Lobsang Chodren), a Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition, gives us an introduction to this teaching. Venerable Amy teaches and leads retreats and pilgrimages around the world and is also the author of Buddhism in a Nutshell. For more information, please visit amymiller.com. March
28 Vajrasattva mantra practice Speaker: Susan Wagner April 4 Introduction to meditation 11 The Four Immeasurables: Equanimity 18 The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Body 25 The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Feelings May 2 Introduction to meditation 9 The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Mind 16 Tara mantra practice Special guest speaker: Ven. Amy Miller 23 The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Dharma |
Who we areA group of dedicated practitioners who come together weekly to share the Dharma. Archives
May 2019
Categories |