Thich nu Tinh Quang: MEDITATION COURSE & PRACTICE

20250103

MEDITATION COURSE & PRACTICE - Samatha and Vipassana

Meditation Course and Practice (ZOOM)

7 THURDAYS - 10:00 A.M. to Noon

January 16, 23, 30

February 6, 13, 20, 27

This is a course and each week has a different lesson, which builds on previous classes)

YOU WILL NEED A NOTEPAD FOR "HOMEWORK" QUESTIONS & NOTES.

IMPORTANT: NOT A DEVICE!

Whether you are a long-time meditator or just beginning, it is always good to strengthen and deepen concentration, awareness, and mindfulness. Please consider refreshing and revitalizing your own practice, or recommending these options to family and friends.

Everyone can benefit from this practice. It helps free us from illusion so that we can look at ourselves with greater clarity and make appropriate changes in our lives. We become aware of the depth of selfishness and the actual intent that can motivate actions that are thought to be altruistic.

Taught by Thich nu Tinh Quang, the original techniques are for increasing your awareness and freeing yourself of painful mental habits.

You can learn the basics of meditation from books, websites and videos. However, if you're serious about pursuing a regular meditation practice, it is important to have a teacher and to sit meditation with others at least once a week; most people find it deepens the practice.

Like many aspects of Buddhism, most of us must practice meditation for a while to appreciate it. At first you might think of it primarily as mind training, and of course, it is. If you stay with the practice, however, your understanding of why you sit will change. This will be your own personal and intimate journey, and it may not resemble anyone else's experience.

Dana is gratefully accepted.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY JANUARY 14 TO (sistertinhquang(@)yahoo.ca THE ZOOM LINK WILL BE SENT UPON REGISTRATION.

ZEN TEACHING STORIES

“MAYBE” Once upon a time, on a fine fall morning, an old farmer went out to tend his animals and crops. At first light, the farmer was dismayed to see his fence had been crushed by a falling tree during the night. All three of the farmer’s prized horses had disappeared. The other villagers moaned in sympathy: “Whatever will you do?” they asked the farmer. “This is terrible,” they all cried, shaking their heads sadly, “and right before harvest time, too.” “Your harvest will rot in the field. What will your family eat this winter? How will you get your crop in without horses?” one of the villagers asked the old farmer. “Maybe,” was the farmer’s only reply as he returned to his chores. Later on that morning, the farmer heard the sound of hooves and, looking up, saw his three horses had returned! What was more, the three horses had two wild horses running with them. Soon, the villagers were heard to express their delight at the farmer’s good fortune. “What a wonderful thing to have happen!” the other villagers cried. “What a wealthy man you will be with this new stock of animals!” “Maybe,” was all the old farmer would reply. After lunch that day, the farmer’s son was trying to break one of the wild horses to the saddle. Suddenly, the wild horse threw the son to the ground. Running to his injured son, the farmer found his son’s leg badly broken. The neighbors were soon around to give their opinions. “What a terrible calamity,” the villagers said. “What a disaster.” “Now you really won’t be able to get your crop in, without a strong son to help you. He will take months to heal. Whatever will you do now?” the other villagers asked the farmer in despair. The farmer would only shrug and say: “Maybe.” Later that afternoon, military officials rode into the tiny village, with a great clattering of weapons and jostling of horses. Looking grim and serious, the soldiers announced an official conscription. Every young and able man was to be drafted into service that very day. The farmers son, having just been injured, was left behind, even as other sons and husbands were taken. No one in the village could believe the old farmer’s good fortune. And not everyone was entirely happy about it. “Surely the most tremendous good fortune has smiled upon you today,” the villagers grumbled. “How can anyone be so lucky?” But the old farmer would only reply, “Maybe.”