Meditation Opportunities

Thursday evenings at First Presbyterian  

We will meet for meditation on all Thursdays in September and October 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 doing contemplative listening book reading.  The book was recommended to us by Ruben Habito and is titled Selfless Love:  Beyond the Boundaries of Self and Others  by Ellen Birx.   Ellen shows how meditation can help us realize that we don’t love — we are love.  She draws from the Zen tradition, her experience as a mental health therapist, and the Gospels.  We will read a short portion of the book together out loud, sit with it in silence, and then share with each other.  You do not need to read the book ahead of time or even buy the book if you don’t want to.  You can just listen.

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.  There will be no Tuesday meditation on October 7.                                                                     

September Retreat Day 

Saturday, September 27, 2014

8:30 am -1:00 pm

In the Fellowship Hall

The Gift of Life Part 2 

Our September Retreat Day will feature the second part of a newly released video by Fr. Thomas Keating titled:  “The Gift of Life:  Death & Dying, Life & Living”.  During four days of filming, Fr. Thomas sat with the founding director of Contemplative Outreach, Carl Arico, and shared an intimate conversation focused on the transformative process of death and dying as part of, rather than the end of, life’s journey.  It is a gift to listen and receive Fr. Keating’s teaching as an embodiment of wisdom and compassion.

Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided.  A freewill offering will be available.

October Retreat Day 

Saturday, October 25, 2014

8:30 am -3:00 pm

In the Fellowship Hall 

A Day of Zen Sitting

Our October retreat day will have a focus on Zen meditation.  We will have an hour and a half silent meditation in the morning, a two-hour talk and discussion time, a lunch break, and conclude with another hour and a half period of silent meditation.  Come join us as we learn from Zen practice how to deepen our silence and bring more love and peace into the world.  Please bring a sack lunch.  Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided.  A freewill offering will be available. All are welcome.

Upcoming Events

Ongoing                                Hei’s Tai Chi class at Oldemeyer

Center (Tu/Thur at 10:30 am)

November 22                           MMG Retreat Day   8:30 am – 1:00 pm

The Science of Connectedness

In closing,

Friend, hope for the Guest while you are alive.

Jump into experience while you are alive!

Think … and think … while you are alive.

What you call “salvation” belongs to the time before death.

If you don’t break your ropes while you’re alive,

Do you think ghosts will do it after? 

Kabir