Our friends in the Northern Scotland Sanghas very warmly (literally!) invite you to their next winter retreat in 2017

Understanding our Mind: a three-day retreat on the nature of our mind, based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh taking place at Newbold House, Forres, Moray from 9th to 12th February 2017

This year the retreat will be guided by Order of Interbeing member Michael Schwammberger, formerly Brother Phap Son from Plum Village. Susanne Olbrich, recently ordained as Dharma teacher, will assist him.

Looking into the nature of our mind can help us better understand ourselves and work more skilfully with the transformation of our suffering. These teachings on the mind are perhaps some of the deepest wisdom available, as they help us connect with the ultimate nature of our mind and bring about a deep healing in the way we relate to our selves and the world around us. This retreat will also offer us the opportunity to deepen our mindfulness practice, in sitting, walking, sharing and silence, in the supportive community of our Sanghas.

Click here to download the flier and booking form

Our friends in the Border Collie Sangha are having a Mindfulness Day on 17th December at Wiston Lodge, near Biggar in the Scottish Borders.

It will be a mixture of our Mindfulness Practice together with Jerry’s ideas about Wildseed Zen which he will explain in more detail during the day.

We will meet in the Lodge, in Room 9, and practice Mindful walking outside in the woods, so important to bring warm clothes, boots and waterproofs……

Lunch will be the usual daily lunch of soup, bread and a flapjack or some such, and perhaps a bit of salad from the Wiston Lodge garden.  The cost for each person will be round £10.

Draft Programme:

Arrive from 10.00 am for greetings and refreshments.
10.30   Introduction to the day
10.45   Guided Meditation
11.05   Introduction to Wildseed Zen by Jerry Simcock
11.45   Walking meditation round the gardens and the woods collecting any seeds we may find
12.45   return for lunch at 1.00pm starting with the Five Contemplations and silent for the first 20 minutes
2.00  Introduction from Jerry following the walk and talking of what we have found followed by Dharma Sharing groups
3.15  Deep Relaxation
4.00 silent meditation

Please pass this on to others you know who may be interested.

Contact Meg for more information.

Here is Thay talking about Gladdening the mind and cultivating wholesome mental formations:

Here is the song ‘Alone Again’ – which sets to music Thay’s poem ‘Recommendation’:

And here is ‘Winter Song’ by Joseph Emet – which I suggested conveys a sense of ease and contentment:

I suggested we could identify positive mental formations by reflecting on:

• Those of our parents, grandparents and ancestors;
• The qualities that make our friends fun to be with, and on
• The qualities that have helped us through challenging times.

Breathing: Our Way to Freedom (Part Two)

This session will continue our exploration of the Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing with a focus on exercises 9 and 10: recognising the mental formations that are currently manifesting (9) and gladdening the mind (10).  However it is not necessary to have attended the previous session in order to come and enjoy this one.

We will explore concrete ways to identify and maintain the presence of wholesome mental formations in our mind using readings, reflection and sharing, guided meditation, poems, songs and chanting. We will also share a mindful lunch.

Please bring a little vegetarian food to share. Tea will be provided.

The session will be facilitated by Pete and will run between 9:30am – 1:30pm at the Salisbury Centre

When: Saturday 5 November 2016 – 9:30am to 1:30pm
Where: Salisbury Centre. See map below.
Booking: Just turn up. (Or confirm on the Facebook Event)
Cost: The event is free but donations in the spirit of Dana will pay for the venue hire.
Bring: Small amount of vegetarian food to share at lunch. Cushions, mats and chairs are supplied but if you have a meditation cushion or stool you like to use please bring it along.

Thank you for the wonderful attendance at Santosa during August and for taking the time to give us feedback on how you found the venue. Overall the response was very positive but the desire to sustain our contact with St. Marks has also been expressed. Giving due consideration to all the comments and results from the Survey, the group of facilitators made a decision to follow a middle path. This means that we continue with Thursday evening meditation at St. Marks but will trial an additional Monday evening meditation at Santosa for 6 weeks commencing next Monday, 5th September.  The session will follow the same format as usual and run at the same time, i.e. 7.30pm – 9pm approx. – 9.30pm at latest. This will offer increased flexibility to those who might not be able to come on Thursdays and provides the opportunity to practice on two evenings for those who might like to attend both. If interest in Santosa continues and, providing we have sufficient facilitation input, then we hope the Monday evening will become permanent.

Meg Beresford from our neighbours in the Border Collie Sangha will be “making a bee line” on foot from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to Wiston Lodge over the course of a week to raise awareness of the decline of bees.

This is a wonderful opportunity to join like minded friends in walking for Mother Earth.

Kick off is at 10:30 on Tuesday 30th August at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Read more on the Let’s Make A Bee Line website.

We are delighted to let you know that The Poppy Seed Sangha are planning a Mindfulness Day on Sunday 2nd October from 10am until 3.30pm at their usual Poppy Seed Sangha venue of Westbank Centre in Cash Feus, Strathmiglo, Fife, KY14 7QP.

The theme for the day will be “non-discrimination and inclusiveness” as described in the first mindfulness training: “I will cultivate openness, non-discrimination, and non-attachment to views in order to transform violence, fanaticism, and dogmatism in myself and in the world”. Our day of practice together will include listening to a talk or reading; walking meditation in the orchard (weather permitting); a guided and silent meditation and time for Dharma sharing.

If you can, please bring something to share for a vegetarian lunch along with your own crockery and cutlery. We will provide a selection of teas to drink.

Please bring weather appropriate clothes for walking meditation outside. We do have some chairs and a few meditation cushions, stools and blankets but you may wish to bring your own if you have one.

There is no charge for the day but a contribution of £5-10 (or what you can afford), toward the room rent, would be appreciated. Please do not let lack of funds deter you, all are welcome.

Arrival is any time between 10am and 10.30am to allow time for tea and hellos.

Here is the website and address for Westbank if you haven’t been before. We would recommend parking on the street close to the centre as opposed to up the lane which can get congested and prevent the owners from accessing their house.

Please let us know if you are coming (or ask any questions) by emailing Orla at orla.beaton@btinternet.com

Heart Sutra –  Form is emptiness- Emptiness is form.

The morning offers Thay’s unique practice of mindful sitting, walking and eating meditation. We come together to explore and contemplate the most famous of the Buddha’s teachings known as the “Insight to the other shore”.  Thich Nhat Hanh gives a clear commentary which is beautifully written, taken from the text of his wonderful inspiring book, Buddha Mind Buddha Body.

We will also look at Thay’s teaching to create “conscious positive habit energy”  transforming our base store consciousness for a peaceful and happier life. The session will be facilitated by Bryan Webb and will run between 9:30am – 1:30pm at the Salisbury Centre.

When: Saturday 3rd September 2016 – 9:30am to 1:30pm
Where: Salisbury Centre. See map below.
Booking: Just turn up. (Optionally confirm on Facebook event page)
Cost: By donation. Suggested £5/£10 but more or less is fine or what you can afford..
Bring: Small amount of vegetarian food to share at lunch. Cushions, mats and chairs are supplied but if you have a meditation cushion or stool you like to use please bring it along.
Questions: Please contact us through the form.