Sangha Meetings and Classes
Thursday, 12th February, 8pm AEST
Sangha Group Sharings
You are warmly welcomed to join Daya, Dipika and Rose for our dharma sharing and meditation session together.
Usually, the facilitator will open and introduce the session, and provide a question to be a point of reflection and discussion in small group sharings. After this will be a guided meditation to close.
Our theme for February is
"The Insight That Brings Us To The Other Shore"
Let’s begin by reminding ourselves that it’s not unusual to not understand the teachings the first time we hear them. Thay tells us that when we listen to a Dharma talk we just allow the Dharma (teachings) to penetrate the soil of our consciousness. We try not to think too much. We don’t compare or argue in our minds about the topic. Playing with words is like trying to catch rain in buckets. Just allow your consciousness to receive the rain and the seeds buried deep within will have a chance to be watered (Cultivating the Mind of Love Ch1).
There are many teachings in this Prajnaparamita Sutra - The Insight That Brings Us to the Other Shore. Let’s take our time. Let’s not pressure ourselves but enjoy the music of the words. If we hear one thing that we feel will be helpful for our daily practice, that’s enough.
What is the insight that brings us to the Other Shore?
We have insight when we understand that everything is empty of a separate self. Thus we can’t describe anything as permanent, pure or having a self. And they also cannot be characterized as being impermanent, impure or lacking a self. This is considered to be the highest wisdom, it has gone beyond conventional wisdom and thus is called ‘prajnaparamita’ and leads us to the other shore (Red Pine, The Heart Sutra, pp30-31). Or, as Thich Nhat Hanh would teach, to be or not to be, that is no longer the question. The question is one of interbeing (The Other Shore, p28).
Friday, 13th February, 8pm AEST
Sitting and Walking Meditation
You are warmly welcomed to join Jan, Debbie and Sarah for another lovely Friday evening/day/morning depending upon where you are sitting 🙂
We will all participate in a silent sitting meditation, followed by walking meditation and then conclude with a Sutra reading by Debbie.
Our theme for February is "The Insight That Brings Us To The Other Shore".
Let’s begin by reminding ourselves that it’s not unusual to not understand the teachings the first time we hear them. Thay tells us that when we listen to a Dharma talk we just allow the Dharma (teachings) to penetrate the soil of our consciousness. We try not to think too much. We don’t compare or argue in our minds about the topic. Playing with words is like trying to catch rain in buckets. Just allow your consciousness to receive the rain and the seeds buried deep within will have a chance to be watered (Cultivating the Mind of Love Ch1).
There are many teachings in this Prajnaparamita Sutra - The Insight That Brings Us to the Other Shore. Let’s take our time. Let’s not pressure ourselves but enjoy the music of the words. If we hear one thing that we feel will be helpful for our daily practice, that’s enough.
What is the insight that brings us to the Other Shore?
We have insight when we understand that everything is empty of a separate self. Thus we can’t describe anything as permanent, pure or having a self. And they also cannot be characterized as being impermanent, impure or lacking a self. This is considered to be the highest wisdom, it has gone beyond conventional wisdom and thus is called ‘prajnaparamita’ and leads us to the other shore (Red Pine, The Heart Sutra, pp30-31). Or, as Thich Nhat Hanh would teach, to be or not to be, that is no longer the question. The question is one of interbeing (The Other Shore, p28).
Saturday, 14th February, 8pm AEST
Touching the Earth
Dear COS Family.
You are warmly invited to join Tony, Judy and Ling for our first touching the earth for this beautiful new year. We will touch the earth to nourish our love for ourselves, our spiritual ancestors and our beloved Mother Earth.
With the insight of Interbeing, we know that when we nourish ourselves we nourish each other and have real communication with the earth. Please join us.
Sunday, 15th February, 8pm AEST
Total Relaxation
Dear Friends,
Please join us for another special COS meeting with Tim, who will be kindly leading us through a specially prepared 'Total Relaxation' session. and Adam offering the Technical Support.
Deep Relaxation Guided practices are designed to help us to rest, breathe, and move attention through the body, release tension and foster peace and gratitude.