by Peter Carlson | Oct 29, 2015 | Compassionate Action
The Buddhist Global Climate Change Collective (GBCCC) just released a letter from various Buddhist leaders around the world. The letter is addressed to the international climate change conference which is about to convene in Paris. This letter is the first “open letter” to the world governmental and power elite about the Buddhist concept of interbeing, which points to the enormous complexity of the planet’s biosphere, within which all sentient beings live. It encourages compassionate action to eliminate the predominant use of fossil fuels for energy consumption as soon as is practicable. Here is the full copy of the letter, which is not very long.
by Mary Ann | Apr 1, 2015 | Compassionate Action
On Saturday, April 4, 2015 OIMG has an opportunity to work with our friends at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando during their upcoming volunteer day at the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Second Harvest provides tremendous community support. Join us as we work together to sort food for local people in need. Children over 10 are welcomed with adult supervision. Closed toe shoes are mandatory. Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2015
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Second Harvest Food Bank
Address: 411 Mercy Drive, Orlando FL 32805 (corner of Mercy Drive & Old Winter Garden Rd)
There are a couple of choices for registering as noted below:
- Register onsite when you arrive or
- Click on this website
- Once on the above website, click on the big blue “Volunteer Now” button
- If you are not signed up with Second Harvest, follow the instructions to register with their organization
- The registration process will require that you have a “Join Code.” The First Unitarian’s join code is A100.
- Register for April 4, 2015 , 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- If you need assistance with the online registration process, please email Steph Garber. Steph is the First Unitarian Church of Orlando’s coordinator for this event.
- If you don’t have the means to register online or forget, you can sign up in person on the day of the event.
Please email Tommy Harrison or call @ (407) 790-0710 if you have any questions.
by Mary Ann | Feb 22, 2015 | Compassionate Action
The Buddha taught the cessation of suffering. He shared that suffering can be minimized and even eliminated. We learn there is no separate world we each live in and we are reliant on each other and our environment on endless levels for wellbeing and happiness. In understanding this interconnectedness, we learn that all things are shared.
The Orlando Insight Meditation Group (OIMG) shares these teachings. We shine light on the path to wellbeing, happiness, and interconnectedness by providing space and time for sits, Dharma talks, classes, residential retreats, a website full of resources, and scholarship support during residential retreats.
OIMG is intentional when providing scholarship support during retreats. Scholarships are offered to those whose life circumstances do not afford them the financial means to go on retreat. This has helped many people over the years who were facing life challenges such as loss of employment, financial difficulties, divorces, illnesses, and other challenging times – events that could happen to any of us at any time.
Being on retreat surrounded by love, acceptance, safety, and support during a major life challenge can be a lifesaving event for some and should not be limited to those who can afford them.
Need for scholarships has increased in the past several years due in large part to the increasing number of retreats held and the increasing number of retreatants. Please help fund retreat scholarships with your donation.
- $50 provides partial retreat support.
- $600 provides full scholarship for the upcoming 9-day retreat.
- A donation in any amount will be gratefully received.
You can make a donation at any amount online or by check made out to the Orlando Insight Meditation Group and mailed to:
OIMG
c/o Tommy Harrison
245 Stevenage Drive
Longwood, FL 32779
OIMG is a 501(c)(3) and donations are tax-deductible. OIMG is all-volunteer, pays no salaries, and has no regular source of income. We would welcome your support; please consider joining us with these intentions to share the Buddha’s teachings and help someone during their time of need
We end with the following guidance from the Dhamma:
How a person of integrity gives a gift
“These five are a person of integrity’s gifts. Which five? A person of integrity gives a gift with a sense of conviction. A person of integrity gives a gift attentively. A person of integrity gives a gift in season. A person of integrity gives a gift with an empathetic heart. A person of integrity gives a gift without adversely affecting himself or others.”
From our hearts to yours,
Peter Carlson, Founder
Tommy Harrison, Treasurer & Retreat Coordinator
by Mary Ann | Nov 23, 2014 | Compassionate Action
For those that aren’t able to make OIMG’s December retreat, on Saturday, December 6, 2014 OIMG has an opportunity to work with our friends at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando during their upcoming volunteer day at the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Second Harvest provides tremendous community support. Join us as we work together to sort food for local people in need. Children over 10 are welcomed with adult supervision. Closed toe shoes are mandatory. Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Second Harvest Food Bank
Address: 411 Mercy Drive, Orlando FL 32805 (corner of Mercy Drive & Old Winter Garden Rd)
Second Harvest has a new process for registering volunteers for these events. Please follow these instructions:
- Click on this website
- Once on the above website, click on the big blue “Volunteer Now” button
- If you are not signed up with Second Harvest, follow the instructions to register with their organization
- The registration process will require that you have a “Join Code.” The First Unitarian’s join code is A100.
- Register for December 6, 2014 , 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- If you need assistance with the online registration process, please email Steph Garber. Steph is the First Unitarian Church of Orlando’s coordinator for this event.
- If you don’t have the means to register online or forget, you can sign up in person on the day of the event.
Please email Tommy Harrison, if you’re interested or feel free to call @ (407) 790-0710. You can also email Stephanie Garber, the coordinator of this event with the First Unitarian Church of Orlando.
by Mary Ann | Sep 23, 2014 | Compassionate Action
On Saturday, August 4th, OIMG has an opportunity to work with our friends at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando during their upcoming volunteer day at the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Second Harvest provides tremendous community support. Join us as we work together to sort food for local people in need. Children over 10 are welcomed with adult supervision. Closed toe shoes are mandatory. Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Second Harvest Food Bank
Address: 411 Mercy Drive, Orlando FL 32805 (corner of Mercy Drive & Old Winter Garden Rd)
Second Harvest has a new process for registering volunteers for these events. Please follow these instructions:
- Click on this website
- Once on the above website, click on the big blue “Volunteer Now” button
- If you are not signed up with Second Harvest, follow the instructions to register with their organization
- The registration process will require that you have a “Join Code.” The First Unitarian’s join code is A100.
- Register for October 4, 2014 , 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- If you need assistance with the online registration process, please email Steph Garber. Steph is the First Unitarian Church of Orlando’s coordinator for this event.
- If you don’t have the means to register online or forget, you can sign up in person on the day of the event.
Please email Tommy Harrison, if you’re interested or feel free to call @ (407) 790-0710. You can also email Steph Garber, the coordinator of this event with the First Unitarian Church of Orlando.
by Mary Ann | Dec 23, 2012 | Compassionate Action
Ann Curry has an idea of what we could do–and thousands of people worldwide have already participated.
“Newtown’s heartbreak has a lot of us asking, ‘What can I do?’ Thinking about this, Ann Curry took to social media and asked people to imagine what would happen if all of us committed to 26 acts of kindness to honor each life lost in Newtown.” 26 Acts Facebook Community
