Meditation Opportunities

Thursday evenings at 1^st Presbyterian  

We will meet for meditation on all Thursdays in April and May 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 watching videotapes of Fr. Thomas Keating’s “Spiritual Journey” series.  This series is produced by Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. and describes the method and background of Centering Prayer developed and taught by Thomas Keating, a Cistercian monk at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado.

The topics the series covers are Developing Centering Prayer, Models of the Human Condition, Paradigms of the Spiritual Journey, and Contemplation the Divine Therapy.

Tuesday evenings at Hei’s house (no Tue. Meditation from

                                                                    April 29 – June 17)

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.

April Retreat Day 

Saturday, April 26, 2014

8:30 am -1:00 pm

In the Fellowship Hall 

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 into heart of things.  Join us as we meditate and then recite and share poems of gratitude, prayer, longing, and the timeless search for wisdom.

A freewill offering will be available.

Upcoming Events

Ongoing                                Hei’s Tai Chi class at Oldemeyer

Center (Tu/Thur at 10:30 am)

May 31                                  MMG retreat day     8:30 am – 1:00 pm

Compassionate Foot Massage

June 28                                 MMG retreat day     8:30 am – 3:00 pm

A Day of Zen Meditation

Summary of Last Month’s Retreat

Our March Retreat day was our longer format day of Zen sitting.   We meditated together for three 25-minute sittings in the morning, and three more 25-minute sittings in the afternoon. For our talk, Joseph shared a reading from Suzuki Roshi’s book Zen Mind, Beginners Mind and Hei shared a Koan from The Gateless Gate.

What I took away from the day was this quote from Suzuki Roshi:  “You don’t have to understand Zazen – you just have to practice it”.

The fruits of the day were in the extended periods of silence. We had a good turnout for the day, and those who came shared their spirit and energy and we all benefited from the day together. Thank you to all who attended and for the support that you are to my practice. I am grateful to you all.

In closing,

April’s air stirs in

Willow leaves . . . A Butterfly

Floats and balances

Basho