Suzanne Dance – a member of our Sangha and  a facilitator of Thursday evenings – is appearing in a production entitled “Divided We Fall” in Edinburgh during November and December.

“Hillstone has always been a diverse community in terms of ethnic origin, age, class, ability and many other factors. But when Alice returns home after some time away she finds her community is in danger of fragmenting. Can she use the 500 year anniversary to enable the people of Hillstone to develop strong interconnections and build solidarity for a just future,
or will the difficult economic climate make her community fragment further?
Divided We Fall? explores the challenges and opportunities faced by diverse communities
such as Leith especially in the context of cuts to public services and the Welfare Reform Act.”

Performances:

• Wednesday 28th November, 2pm – Out of the Blue, 36 Dalmeny Street
• Wednesday 28th November, 6pm – Punjab’n De Rasoi Cafe, 122-124 Leith Walk
• Thursday 6th December, 2pm – Lochend/Restalrig Community Hub, 198 Restalrig Road South
• Monday 10th December, 6pm – The Leith Dockers Club, 17 Academy Street

All performances are free except Punjab’n De Rasoi which costs £5 and includes a buffet. Please book for this performance so we know how much food to provide!

The Leith Dockers Club performance is run in partnership with The Leith Festival and will include music and social time after the performance.

For more information or to book a place at any of the performances please contact Gavin on gavin@activeinquiry.co.uk or 0771 4321 629. For further details and information on extra performances please visit www.activeinquiry.co.uk

Download the flier: Divided We Fall Flyer

The fifth Dharma Training Programme run by the UK Community of Interbeing started in October 2011 and this note provides details of the retreats being provided in 2013. It is intended for anyone with some experience of the practice, as taught by Thich Nhat Hanh, who wishes to develop their understanding further and to share it with others.

The programme will allow us to deepen our understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, and the practice of mindfulness in the context of a series of retreats with a committed sangha.

Because we practice for each other, and ourselves, the solid base we build together will give us the stability, joy and confidence to go out and share the fruits of this understanding with the wider community. Participants are expected to be members of the UK Community of Interbeing or to join at the time of registration (see booking form).

More details in the booking form: DTP Booking Form 2013 30thOct

All members of the Sangha are invited to a revival of the annual Open Gathering of the Wild Geese at 2-4pm on Saturday 17th November at St Marks Unitarian Church.

The Wild Geese Sangha is run on a volunteer basis and the Gathering is an opportunity for everyone committed to practising with the Wild Geese to come together, look back at how the last year has gone and how the Sangha would like to move forward for another year.

The focus this year is intended to be mainly on practical matters e.g.  Should we start earlier on Thursday evenings given the parking problems?   Sangha support for future monastic retreats etc

If there is anything you would like the Gathering to consider drop Debbie an email and let her know.  It can be anonymous if you wish and all input is most welcome even if you are unable to attend

Please send replies by Wednesday, 14th November if possible.  We intend to circulate the agenda in advance to allow us time for reflection and hence constructive and positive dialogue.  Matters raised on the day will be considered if time allows.

It would also be helpful to know if you are likely to attend so that I have an idea of numbers.

Although I have been sitting for some time, been on a number of retreats and occasionally facilitate on a Thursday evening this was the first Wild Geese retreat I had been on. This was also the first opportunity I have had to formally receive the Five Mindfulness Trainings and my Dharma name – Peaceful Breath of the Heart. Continue reading →