First Sunday Community Practice and Dharma Discussion
with Janice Ragland
Our topic for November:
Patience and How to Not Lose Heart
For this open house gathering we will discuss the enlightened quality of Patience. Instead of the “grin and bear it” version we often see, the Buddhist compassion practice of developing patience is about going deeper into the wisdom it offers us. As we would all attest, we are in an unusually fraught time of fear and polarization in our country and in the entire world. Difficult life situations offer us a rich opportunity to learn about ourselves and others and to develop strength and resilience; the trick is to relax into openness instead of shutting down in fear. In this open house we will receive Tonglen instructions (a traditional compassion practice) and will use this technique as a way to develop the patience to work with disturbing emotions, to open our hearts and nurture wisdom.
9:30-11am - Group meditation practice
11-11:15 - Break
11:15-12:15 - Talk and Dharma study
Tea, light refreshments and fellowship following dharma study.
Suggested Donation: $5-20, or offer what you are able. All donations support the general operations of the Pioneer Valley Shambhala Center, helping us to maintain this space in downtown Northampton.
