Fundraiser for Ruben Habito Retreat

We have a garage sale fundraiser coming up next month.  Tina Holston will be organizing and holding the event at her home, 414 Granite Street in Pacific Grove from 8am – 11am Saturday July 17.  She would love to get more donations of great items to sell.  If you have things you would like to let go of, please bring them to Thursday evening meditation up until July 8.  If you think of more items after that date, please take them directly to Tina’s house. Also, Tina would love volunteers to help her the day of the sale.

All the proceeds will be used for our October 23-24 retreat with Ruben Habito, and to provide scholarships.

Thursday evenings at 1^st Presbyterian

We will meet for meditation on all Thursdays in June and July from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. in the fellowship hall.  Our format for the first hour is two 20-minute periods of sitting in silence with a 10 minute walking meditation in between.  For the second hour, we are practicing group contemplative listening.  We  listen to short readings from contemplative authors and poets, sit together for a period of silence, and share our reflections with the group.  This is a wonderful way to practice deep listening to each other.  All are welcome to join us at any time.

Tuesday evenings at Hei’s house

Hei has opened his house to those who would like to join him for meditation from 6:00pm – 6:30pm on Tuesdays.  It is one half hour of sitting meditation.

Please contact Janet for directions and to let him know that you are coming so he can prepare a place for you.

Retreat Day    Saturday, June 26 2010     9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Point Lobos Nature Day

Our June retreat day will be a field trip to Point Lobos.   We will carpool from the First Presbyterian Church front parking lot.  Please be there and ready to leave at 9:00am  sharp.  We don’t want to miss anyone.  Please bring something to share for a potluck lunch and your own beverage.  It is a good idea to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a jacket in case the weather is cool.

If you have never had the opportunity to visit this jewel of a park, I encourage you to come.  It is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and we are so fortunate to live so close to be able to enjoy it.

Upcoming Events

July 31                               Sacred Poetry with Joseph Cotham

No retreat day in August

September 25                     Consciousness with Joe Neary

October 23-24                     Zen Retreat with Ruben Habito

Summary of May’s Retreat

Our May retreat was an extended day of Zen sitting.  It is good to occasionally extend the time of our sitting to allow our practice to deepen.  Hei led the discussion time by sharing a Zen Koan.  This time I noticed how these stories are a springboard for sharing our current experience of meditation practice.  It is helpful to have a place of support and sharing to encourage us along the ups and downs of our practice.  Left on our own, I think we would all find our times of silence shrinking.  I am grateful as always for the support of my fellow meditators in Monterey Meditation Group.

In peace and love,

Janet Hoffman

hoffmanjms@gmail.com