Tuesday 30 August 2016

This week @ Beaches - knowing our minds



Our minds are well intentioned, semi-skilled friends. Yet they are possibly the most important players in our experiences of life. We need to know them well.

I've been reading an excellent book by Nobel Prize winning researcher and author, Daniel Kahneman. It tells the story of two types of thinking that occur within our minds every day: fast thinking and slow thinking. These thinking processes work well for us most of the time. But they are also imperfect and can lead us astray...sometimes wildly!

This week at Sangha I'm going to share some of the key insights about these aspects of our minds, including some simple practical demonstrations to link it with our known experience. The better we can know our minds, the more clearly we can see our experiences as they really are - a core part of dharma practice.

I hope you can make it.

Also, a reminder that there is a family retreat being held in October out at Gorrick's Run where children are welcome to attend with parents. You can find more details here, or speak to Betsy on Thursday night.

Monday 22 August 2016

This week @ Beaches Sangha - a new speaker



Hi all.

This week @ Beaches Sangha we'll have a woman named Jill Shepherd coming to give us a talk. It's called 'The Two Wings to Awakening: Wisdom & Compassion'. Jill hasn't been to our sangha before and none of us have been to her talks, but she's done sessions with other sanghas and we've heard good things about her.

We hope you'll join us to welcome her.
LL

Tuesday 16 August 2016

This week @ Beaches Sangha



Hi all.

The dharma is about human experience which means that all of life can be dharma practice. This week at Sangha I'll be giving a talk called Track & Field Dharma. 

I've been a Masters athlete now for 5 years and my athletics has been very much a part of my dharma practice. It's been so interesting to see the teachings play out in this setting, to notice how they're helpful and... in some ways....maybe not so helpful to competitive athletic achievement.

I hope you can make it.
LL

Wednesday 10 August 2016

This week @ Beaches Sangha



Hi all.

Sorry about the late post this week... getting ready to head back to Sydney...hmmm...should probably stop looking at my weather app.

This week at Sangha we have one of our old faves, Winton Higgins, returning to give us a talk called 'Finding Your Own Dharmic Voice'. Sounds very interesting - I'm glad I'll be back for it!

Hope to see you there!
LL

Mindful Bushwalk with John Seed and Betsy Faen


John Seed and Betsy Faen will once again lead a mindful bushwalk at Deep Creek (Narrabeen) on September 18th.

We will meet at the Deep Creek dog exercise area (drive in to final parking lot) at 10:00 am. Deep Creek is off the Wakehurst Parkway, on the left before you get to Narrabeen, if you’re driving down from Oxford Falls.

After a brief introduction to the practice, we will walk in silence. There will be a couple of stops to stand and take in our surroundings with all of our senses, and then arrive at the waterfall rocks around 11:00, do a short meditation there, and have lunch together.(end of silence)

After lunch John will talk about our connection to the earth and facilitate some experiential deep ecology processes. We will then complete a loop, with the trail taking in views over Narrabeen Lagoon and over to the sea. We should get back by 3pm.

Some parts of the track can be very muddy, wet and slippery, so wear suitable shoes and clothes. Older children who are ok with periods of silence are welcome, but this one probably isn't the best for littlies. This walk is suitable for those of reasonable fitness. It isn’t too hard, but there are a couple of steep places.

Meditating in nature, and walking with all the senses attuned to the environment (instead of chatting) can be a beautiful experience.

Bring a lunch and water. There will be an opportunity to give optional dana (donations) to John’s work.We won’t go if it’s raining. If unsure, or if you’re running a little bit late, call Betsy on 0403 871 605.

John asked me to let you know that he’ll be one of the facilitators (with Will James of Tallowwood  Sangha) of a workshop called “Buddha Touched the Earth” at Bellingen  in October. Here’s a flier and an essay he wrote about this form.

Monday 1 August 2016

This week @ Beaches Sangha - Gawaine



Hi all.

This week at Beaches Sangha we have Gawaine Powell-Davies coming to give a talk called 'Uses and Abuses of Meditation'. Sounds intriguing! I believe the weather's been on the chilly side down there in Sydney (I'm a little daunted at the idea of returning), but don't let that deter you! I hope you can make it.

Also, the Spring Retreat is coming up and will be taught this year by Winton Higgins and our very own Sylvie Vanasse. It'll run from 15-18 September out at the beautiful Gorrick's Run  (camping-lite....see the photos from the Beaches Sangha retreat earlier this year). Click here for more info and to register.

Warm (27 degree) regards,
Lenore