Get to Know Ruben Habito via YouTube

We look forward to welcoming Ruben L. F. Habito to lead our October retreat. You might enjoy these two videos that were filmed by Ruben’s community, the Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, Texas.

The Fundamentals of Zen Practice

http://www.youtube.com/user/ZenNDCity#p/a/u/0/_hWvVwL33Ps

The Fruits of Zen Practice

http://www.youtube.com/user/ZenNDCity#p/a/u/1/o-LhjW3jY7M

Fundraiser for Ruben Habito Retreat a Success

Tina led the way last month to another successful garage sale fundraiser.  We all appreciate her hard word that helped us gather nearly $500.00 toward bringing Ruben Habito to Monterey for our October retreat.  It was a fun day working together, and especially joyful at the end as we placed the “EVERYTHING IS FREE” notice out and watched grateful people gather treasures that they found.  It was a win/win :  People were able to receive items that they needed and Tina got her yard cleared out quickly with minimal items to take to Goodwill.  If you were not able to participate in the garage sale and would still like to donate towards our October weekend with Ruben, please contact Janet Hoffman at hoffmanjms@gmail.com.

Please Help us Promote the Ruben Habito Retreat

Please help us distribute the two fliers with information about October’s Retreat with Ruben. This one, Habito Registration Flier 2010, has a tear-off section with a mail-in registration form, for those who do not wish to register by E-mail.  This one, Photo Flier Habito 2010, includes retreat details, a picture of Ruben and a short bio.  Please post the photo flier wherever you can, and when someone expresses interest, give them the registration flier. Thanks for reaching out to your community!

(It is not necessary to send a check to register – it is OK to pay when you come.  Also, please note that scholarships are available.)

Thursday evenings at 1^st Presbyterian

We will meet for meditation on all Thursdays in August 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. For information please contact Janet Hoffman at hoffmanjms@gmail.com.

Retreat Day    Saturday, July 31 2010     8:30 am – 1:00 pm

Fellowship Hall, First Presbyterian Church Monterey

Sacred Poetry:  An Exploration

Poetry in all its beauty and truth has the potential to open our hearts to the mysteries of life and the wondrous workings of the Spirit in our lives.  It can deepen our appreciation of the simple but profound truths that are found in our experience.  We can soar with the poets who fling themselves in the heart of things.  Join us this Saturday as we recite and share poems of gratitude, prayer, longing, and the timeless search for wisdom.  A freewill offering will be available.

Upcoming Events

No Saturday retreat day in August  — summer vacation!

September 25                     Consciousness with Joe Neary

October 23-24                     Zen Retreat with Ruben Habito

November 20                       MMG retreat day / topic to be announced

No Saturday retreat day in December

April 30 – May 5, 2011          Sanbo Kyodan retreat in Toronto, Canada

Joseph Cotham is MMG coordinator