[StPete-news] Meditation and Mindfulness Practice Tomorrow at Yoga Moves

[stpete-updates at floridamindfulness.org]

Please join us Wednesday, June 2 at 7:15 p.m. for our mindfulness practice
at Yoga Moves studio, 1045 9th Avenue North, St. Petersburg.  Our evening
will include seated and walking meditation, followed by our practice of
mindful discussion – deep listening and sharing from the heart.  This week
Jacqulyn will facilitate our discussion of ‘Right Diligence’ or ‘Right
Effort’ as we continue our consideration of the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold
Path.  We look forward to practicing with you.

Below you will find a letter from the Order of Interbeing Aspirants



Dear Friends,

At our St. Petersburg Sangha gathering on June 18, the four of us who are
aspiring to become part of the Order of Interbeing (OI) talked about how
we came to our decisions about embarking on this path and about how we
wish to offer our service.  We also asked for the support of the sangha as
we walk this path.

One aspect of our service is how we will help to guide the sangha,
providing support for the participants and finding ways to strengthen our
practice community.  We talked about a number of ideas for practices that
we could include as part of our Wednesday gatherings and other optional
activities that could be organized to bring us together.  Many of the
practices are ones regularly offered in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.

After the overview everyone in attendance was invited to share thoughts
about the ideas.  We aspirants were happy to hear that our sangha friends
have felt very nourished by the practice format that we have been using. 
They observed that our mindful speech and deep listening have contributed
significantly to building a strong sangha.  Our regular attendees feel
they have developed a sense of community because everyone has shared from
the heart and listened with a respect that has allowed for sense of safety
within the group.

This quality of community is certainly what we want to preserve.  Other
practices may be added gradually or in conjunction with the teachings
being offered by Fred or with the topics we explore as a sangha – like our
current consideration of the Eightfold Path.

Listed below are the possibilities that were mentioned.  If you have any
thoughts to share after reading these ideas, please feel free to respond
to this email.  Thank you to each of you for your commitment to the
practice.

With metta,

Angie, Chris, Jacqulyn & Ruth

St. Petersburg Sangha Practice Options for Wednesday evenings

•	Reciting the Five Mindfulness Trainings – traditionally done at least
monthy in Thich Nhat Hanh’s (TNH) tradition
•	Guided meditations and in particular, metta or loving kindness meditation
•	Other TNH practices like chanting, ‘touching the earth,’ or deep relaxation
•	Using the last fifteen minutes for informal socializing (perhaps with
tea) in order to give more time for friendships and community to develop
•	Having sangha friends (other than OI aspirants) facilitate our deep
sharing and deep listening
•	Sitting for just one session (rather than two) on the nights when Fred
is not teaching – this could allow more time for chanting, reciting the
trainings, socializing or other practice options

Additional activities that could be offered as options outside our
Wednesday gathering

•	Days of Mindfulness (or Half-days)
•	Gathering at a park for mindful walking, meditation, ‘touching the
earth,’ and enjoying nature
•	Potluck gathering at someone’s home
•	Reciting of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings