Just by chance I had an audio recorder with me when we had some bell practice at the recent Facilitators Retreat at Kinnoull Monastery. The sound scape created with twenty or more people are in a room mindfully inviting bells to sound is incredible. I have over thirty minutes of recording but thought I’d include just over four minutes here incase you were interested.

The recording starts with people inviting a new bell they have just picked up and never sounded before it moves on to us inviting the bells to sound in order, firstly from high to low and then from low to high. I guess this is a peal of mindfulness bells. At the end there is a peal of laughter as Pete sounds the final, high bell and the focussed attention is released – very much the lightness one gets at the end of a good practice session.

The facilitators retreat, held at St Mary’s Kinnoull Monastery, has just ended with strong positive vibes from all concerned. More reports to follow …

• Thursdays 5:30 to 7:00pm
• St Marks Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace
• £7 / session (low income £5) Flexible Payment System
• Contact Gill on 07551361599 or gill.mathews@hotmail.com

The Scottish Wild Geese sangha warmly invite you to join us at a weekend retreat for existing facilitators, and sangha members interested in facilitating or helping facilitate, Friday 7th to Sunday lunchtime 8th September 2013, guided by Murray Corke, COI Dharmachyara. Continue reading →

Thanks to Paul for the photos.

Sunday 4th August at 9am – 10.15am

Meeting beside Henderson’s Café by St John’s Church

This silent walking meditation will be led by members of the Edinburgh Sangha of the Community of Interbeing, who follow the practice of Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

Before the walk begins there will be a brief introduction to mindful walking as meditation practice. Children are welcome when accompanied by adults.

‘We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. Let us enjoy every step we make.’ Thich Nhat Hanh.

As part of my practice I have decided to do a Mindfulness walk in the botanics each weekday lunchtime. I have been doing it for a few weeks already and enjoy it very much and would like to share it with others. I’d like to invite anyone who wants to join me to come along and walk slowly, in mindful silence for twenty minutes. Continue reading →

I just add some images from Gustaf to the Wiston 2013 gallery – take a look!

The Sangha will be taking part in the Festival of Spirituality and Peace as it has done in previous years. There will be two main events Continue reading →

Lovely reflections on the Heart of Impermanence Retreat by Emily on her blog. I especially like the Charlotte Joko Beck quote. One of my favourites. What happens when you let go of all those thoughts – joy!