November 9, 2014:
Practice Period Discussion this Mon. Evening
SMS Friends,
Springs Mountain Sangha is now just about at the midpoint of our Body of the Way Practice Period for 2014. What is it like for you, at this point?
This is not to ask, “How are you doing?” in the sense of, “Are you achieving your goals?” or, “Are you doing a good job of it?” After all, on what yardstick would you want to measure the adventure of these days?
Rather, it’s to ask what interesting discoveries might be coming your way; or to quote Joan Sutherland’s two powerful questions for us, “What wants to be enjoyed? And what needs attending to?”
In case you don’t know what the heck a practice period is or is supposed to be, don’t worry. You may have set out some intentional practices for yourself or not; you may have deliberately participated in something new, or not; there’s no such thing as “The practice period.” There’s this practice period. What is it like to create this?
And,…..it can be encouraging and interesting to have some discussion among ourselves; to hear what someone else’s experience of a practice period is, right now: what their discoveries, questions or longings might be, and to share yours.
So for this Monday’s Community Night discussion, we’ll open the floor for just that. Discussion of practice, and of practice period. Is there some kind of support you’d like to ask for, or to offer to others? Is there something you’re finding helpful, or difficult, that you’d like to bring in? Is there an unexpected direction you find this taking? Are you thinking you might like to try something new?
As usual, we’ll sit for a period of meditation, recite our precepts, and then have tea, cookies and discussion. We hope to see you there.