Dear Friends,
Our regular Weekly Meditation (temporarily suspended)Monday Nights: 6:30pm-8:30 pm
The Yoga Path - 7641 Pacific Street Traditional Community Meditation (good for newcomers) We practice 20 minutes of sitting meditation, followed by 10 minutes of walking meditation, and another 20 minutes of sitting meditation. Afterward, we explore some aspect of mindfulness practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and often share discussion. Part 1 Approx. 6:30-7:30 pm — Sitting and Walking Meditation Part 2 Approx. 7:30-8:30 pm — Reading/Practice and Discussion Friday Nights: 6:00pm-7:00pm The Yoga Path - 7641 Pacific Street Noble Silence Meditation We practice 20 minutes of sitting meditation, followed by 10 minutes of walking meditation, and another 20 minutes of sitting meditation. We observe noble silence upon entering, while practicing, and while leaving the meditation space. No other practice or discussion following meditation. Monthly GatheringsThich Nhat Hanh Book Study - Meets the 1st Saturday of the month from 3:30pm - 5pm at the Yoga Path.
Women's Circle - Meets the last Sunday of the month from 1-3pm at the Yoga Path. Monthly eTalk - Normally meets the 4th Saturday of the month. Click here for schedule and more info. Spring retreat cancelled
Due to the ongoing COVID 19 concerns we will not be holding a spring retreat this year. Below is a lovely reflection from Mark Watson. Happy Easter to all: Hope this cloudy, windy day in some way nourishes you, like the rain water feeds the spring plants. A few Mondays ago, after our Zoom-sangha gathering, we announced that the Spring retreat in May 2020 would be cancelled due to the pandemic circumstances that has pervaded all social events for the near future. So even if you didn't hear this announcement, I'm sure this comes as no surprise. Ever since 2010, when the Honey Locust sangha planned it's first retreat with dharma teacher Chu Chan Hûy, we've been hosting a Spring retreat in the Thich Nhat Hanh, Plum Village tradition. And each year people from around the Omaha area came. Members from Lincoln joined us. Along with the Kansas City sanghas, who fostered the fledgling Honey Locust sangha. Everyone have been so generous with their support and presence. We have looked forward to this event as an opportunity to renew and strengthen our practice. I can remember so many stories from people who have been helped and changed by these simple, but authentic retreats. So it was with grave disappointment that we close the door on this opportunity to practice in retreat together this year. However, as one door closes so another opens. In the coming months, when we hopefully can physically come together again, we can explore new ways to support each other's mindfulness practice. Perhaps during the summer, we can create Days of Mindfulness. Or perhaps collectively plan or go to an early Autumn retreat? There are a myriad of ideas and opportunities to share with one another. Some which we may not realize, as of yet. When I sat with sangha last Monday evening, I was so grateful for the presence of the 28+ people who joined us that night. The two brothers from Deerpark Monastery who facilitated, were I believed, surprised by the number of participates from this "remote Midwest" community, but also moved by the depth of the insights you shared with them. I felt so fortunate and so rich that we have this wonderful community to support one another. With this energy, we can sustain any malady and re-emerge with a new freshness and growth. Thank you for your understanding and presence. |
Mindfulness Study and Practice in the Tradition of Thich Nhat HanhThe Honey Locust Sangha, in Omaha, Nebraska, is a community which practices mindful living in the tradition of the Buddhist monk, teacher, and author Thich Nhat Hanh.
What is Mindfulness Practice? The practice of mindfulness helps us develop our capacity to dwell happily in the present moment and to find peace within ourselves. This practice is meant to help us weave mindfulness into all of life's daily activities. This enables us to be present throughout the day--while eating, walking, working, or enjoying a cup of tea. As a community we support each other in the practice of mindfulness, learning new ways to relate to our rapidly changing world, to realize harmony and reconciliation within our own families, and to cultivate peace within. Who We Are We are a community of people of diverse religious faiths. While some of us identify as Buddhist, several of our members hold Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and other traditions as their primary spiritual practice. Others do not identify with any particular religious tradition. What we all have in common is the desire to study and practice mindfulness in order to touch the deep reality of life and to cultivate a heart and mind of love. About Thich Nhat Hanh Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, poet, and peacemaker. Before being exiled from Vietnam in 1966, he was co-founder of Van Hanh Buddhist University, the School of Youth for Social Service, and the Order of Interbeing. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 by Martin Luther King Jr. for his efforts for peace on behalf of the Vietnamese people. Thomas Merton, the Catholic theologian, said of Thich Nhat Hahn, “He is my brother. We see things exactly the same way.” Since that time, in Europe and North America, he has worked tirelessly for peace, founding Plum Village (a Buddhist training monastery in France), and lecturing and leading retreats worldwide on the art of mindful living. Thich Nhat Hanh is the author of more than 100 books including Living Buddha, Living Christ and Being Peace. Our True Heritage
by Thich Nhat Hanh The cosmos is filled with precious gems. I want to offer a handful of them to you this morning. Each moment you are alive is a gem, shining through and containing earth and sky, water and clouds. It needs you to breathe gently for the miracles to be displayed. Suddenly you hear the birds singing, the pines chanting, see the flowers blooming, the blue sky, the white clouds, the smile and the marvelous look of your beloved. You, the richest person on Earth, who have been going around begging for a living, stop being the destitute child. Come back and claim your heritage. We should enjoy our happiness and offer it to everyone. Cherish this very moment. Let go of the stream of distress and embrace life fully in your arms. |