It is customary for retreatants in this Sangha to have the opportunity to report on their retreat experience as this helps integrate the insights realized during the retreat more clearly in awareness. Peter described the structure of his recent two-week self-retreat. During the retreat he hoped to cultivate deep samadhi to cultivate the potential for […]
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I have known Andy Quinn for 25 years or more; I introduced him to mindfulness of breathing meditation and he is now the founding teacher for the Lakeland Meditation Group. Andy has registered for a one month retreat later this year at the Forest Refuge, an important meditation center where I have practiced long retreats within before. He and his wife are putting a daughter through college and it is stretching their budget for him to go to this retreat. He created a GoFundMe page to support this spiritual practice and my wife Paula and I have contributed $100 to support his efforts–May the merits of his practice benefit everyone he meets! If you know Andy and want to contribute to his spiritual development and the advancement of the Lakeland Sangha, please consider a contribution. Here is the URL to the GoFundMe website: https://www.gofundme.com/f/andy-quinn-long-meditation-retreat-2020
I wish you well. Peter
This is the last talk of 2019 as Peter begins his year-end two-week self retreat December 13. During the talk, Peter described the early context of Christmas and the season associated with the Winter Solstice, the shortest and often among the coldest days of the year in the northern hemisphere–a time of reflection, companionship and renewal. This intention has been significantly altered by American consumerism and this has inspired Peter to dedicate this period of time towards the gift of meditation in an attempt to create a contemporary effort towards renewal. Participants were invited to contemplate interactions with others and the festivities that occur through the lens of the Four Noble Truths as an effort to cultivate more clarity regarding the potential of the season for kindness, compassion, generosity and tolerance. This was followed by general discussion about the current status of the holiday season and what those at the meeting might do to integrate mindfulness into their experience.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Four Noble Truths And The Holidays
The next talk will be on Wednesday January 8, as the first Wednesday is New Year’s day; there is likely to be an opportunity to sit together on that evening, but there will not be a talk. The focus of the January 8th talk will be on the insights derived from the just finished retreat.
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This is the last in a series of meetings that explore the Divine Abidings, Metta (Lovingkindness), Karuna (Compassion), Mudita (Sympathetic Joy) and Upekkha (Equanimity). Equanimity is manifested when a well-trained mind applies mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena and Right Effort. The accompanying notes contain a graphic representation of how equanimity is cultivated, bringing balance between energy & tranquility, and concentration & investigation. Peter then goes on to describe the application of equanimity to avoid what are called the “far enemy” and “near enemy” of the four Divine Abidings. This was followed by general discussion among those present on how to cultivate equanimity in one’s daily life routines.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: The Benefits Of Equanimity
Next week’s talk will focus on how to bring mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, Right Effort and equanimity to the hyperactive characteristics of the holiday season through careful attention to what is seen on the media and among other folks as well as oneself. The purpose of this observation is to realize the potential for bringing the Four Noble Truths into clearer focus.
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Since our Sangha meets on Wednesday evenings, Thanksgiving Eve is dedicated to reflecting gratitude for the benefits of Buddhist principles and practices and the bounty and beauty of life on this planet. During the talk, various participants contributed their insights and appreciations for the benefits of meditation practice.
Next week’s talk will focus on the fourth of the Brahma Viharas (Divine Abidings), Upekkha, which is the balancing function that allows us to avoid the “near enemy” and “far enemy” of each of the other benevolent qualities–Metta (Lovingkindness), Karuna (Compassion) and Mudita (Sympathetic Joy).
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