Meditation Opportunities
Thursday evenings at 1st Presbyterian
We will meet for meditation on all Thursdays in March and April (except April 5, Maundy Thursday) 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 a short reading from a contemplative author or poet, 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 call him at 899-4845 for directions and to let him know that you are coming so he can prepare a place for you.
March Retreat Day
Retreat Day Saturday, March 31, 2012 8:30 am – 1:00 pm Meeting in the Manse (the room in back of the fellowship hall)
The Camino de Santiago
Patricia Merrifield will share her experience traveling along the “Camino de Santiago”, a pilgrimage route through Spain and France that has been traveled for over a thousand years. The Camino, or “The Way of St. James” was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times. More recently, the Camino was the filming location and subject of a 2010 movie, “The Way”, staring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. We look forward to hearing Patricia’s story, sharing her pictures, and learning more about this ancient Christian pilgrimage route.
Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided. A freewill offering will be available.
Upcoming Events
Ongoing Hei’s Tai Chi class at Oldemeyer
Center (Tu/Thur at 10:30 am)
Ongoing Satsang – with Mokshananda
Unitarian Universalist Church
490 Aguajito Road, 624-7404
2nd and 4th Tuesdays 7 – 9 pm
April 21 MMG Retreat Day – Day of Centering
Prayer 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
May 26 MMG Retreat Day – Happiness, Love
and Wisdom: Recent Insights from
Neuroscience on the Fruits of
Meditation 8:30 am – 1:00 pm by
Joe Cotham and Joe Neary
June 30 MMG Retreat Day
July 28 MMG Retreat Day
Summary of February’s Retreat Day
Our February Saturday was a zazenkai day – a day of enjoying the deep silence of extended sitting and walking meditation, a shared reading by Suzuki Roshi, and mindful eating. Joseph Cotham gave our day direction and those of us who attended were enriched by the held silence of the community.
I came away from this Saturday reminded again the importance of meditation and silence in my life. This relatively short amount of time, 6 hours, helped me deepen in my practice. I appreciate the energy these days of longer sitting give, and the fruits of sharing in the gifts of the community that joins me.
In closing,
Chief Techumseh Poem
Native American Shawnee Chief
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”
Monterey Meditation Group 