Firefly Sangha: Birmingham, Alabama

Meditation & Mindfulness Practice in the Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh

Love-Growing

Thursday, July 5, 2007 5:55:26 PM

A thought came to me over the past week.

Why not have a class on Love?

Here's what happened:

First I was listening to a tape of dharma talks on love that I have had for years.

Then someone who is doing a dissertation on yoga and mindfulness was asking me about Buddhist teachings. She was asking about the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. While these are essential, I told her, they are not my favorite teachings.

"What are your favorite teachings?" she asked.

"The Teachings on Love," I replied, without a moment's hesitation.


Then I spoke with my friend Sister Pine, in Plum Village. She was talking about a book called "Cultivating the Mind of Love."


I've been thinking, too, about the distance in my own life between what I sometimes feel and experience as love and then the lack of that feeling and experience at other times.


One of the things that nourishes my own love so much is our little sangha. Each week, I go home just delighted at the steady trust, joy, wisdom, and kindness that are growing through our regular Monday meetings.

So, all these things came together to make me wonder about the thought of having a class on love!

I'd love to hear what you think.

What I am imagining is having our Monday evenings be focused on these teachings for a few weeks.

One way we could do it is to begin by listening to dharma talks on "Teachings on Love," then focus our sharing on the subject.

Another way to do it is to choose a book as the focus of our study and practice.

Or perhaps we could have what happens in our sessions be the focus, with optional readings for those who have the time and inclination?

These are some ideas. I would love to hear from those of you who come what would most feed your souls right now. And if you are opposed in any way to the notion of a "class," please let me know that, too.

If you are reading and participate in another sangha, by all means let me know how you have delved deepr into a particular subject ~ what has worked for you, and what are ways of practicing that have brought you joy.

Until next time,
Be well.


Special Invitation: September 23Love-Growing, Sangha-Building at the Botanical Gardens, and Retreating

Comments

mysticmom Monday, July 9, 2007 4:29:29 AM

Sounds good to me. I am nourished by the silent, as well as the quided meditation(s). Some contemplative walking, listening to a teaching and sharing are all things I enjoy. You do a great job of facilitating our time each week. I think a study of love sounds lovely.
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