More than instant coffee
Hi everyone, and welcome to 2017 Each new year invites us to reflect on the year past, and to make resolutions for a better year ahead. We often rely on conventional wisdom when we make these resolutions, and we don't really have a plan. By mid-morning January 1 my resolutions are usually long forgotten as I drink another cup of coffee and indulge in leftover cake. At Exclusive Books they are currently having a sale on "resolution keeping" books. I found it interesting that mindfulness is one of their categories - "Be more present" - along with weight loss and learning new skills. In Restoring the Balance, Akong Rinpoche warns against "instant coffee" - quick fixes. True happiness can only be found when we work on our minds in a deep and meaningful way. Meditation can be helpful in controlling anxiety and stress, which leads to a calmer existence, but it is only part of a path that leads to so much more. To that end, I have resolved this year to "do less." Life with a small child is inordinately more difficult than I had expected it to be. What this means for the meditation group is that we will be having less frequent sessions. The work we do in Buddhism is extremely important for our own well-being, and for the well-being of all around us. Although our sessions will be less frequent, they will take on a deeper, mini-retreat format: 18:30 - New to Buddhism and meditation? A quick introduction to Buddhism as a whole and the Karma Kagyu Tibetan lineage. 19:00 - Meditation session starts. Discussion Tea/coffee Short-form Chenrezig (Tantra practise. 20 minutes Tibetan chanting for those who choose to stay). We will convene every second Wednesday of the month starting on 11 January. Calendar Hope to see you there! Love, Minette