A boon for meditation studying

The New York Times had an article today about a donation made by the Dalai Lama to the University of Wisconsin to study meditation. I think this is a positive development. If only meditation were used by more people as a positive tool, we might have a more peace and wisdom in the world.

Sangha meeting

This Sunday we sat while the rain steadily drummed on the roof. By the time we rose to stroll around, the rain had abated, gently falling still. The reading of the day was on pages 252-255 of Food for the Heart by Ajahn Chah. Here's a link to the Google book. A synopsis of the work can also be read here. The selection read on Sunday was from the chapter Samma Samadhi: Detachment Within Activity.

When were talking afterward, someone asked me if I could recommend any books on Buddhism. There are quite a few to choose from, of course. Some of my favorite authors currently writing are Pema Chödrön, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the Dalai Lama. Other favorites include the late D.T. Suzuki, Jack Kornfield, and Sharon Salzberg.

That said - I often will just wander in the library and pick out books I haven't read, unknown authors.

Next week, Terrence agreed to provide the reading for the Dharma talk. Laura said she will bring some sort of snacks.

Please come by and sit with us at 1 p.m. if you wish.

An Open Heart

We had a relatively small gathering for meditation on Sunday afternoon. After sitting, Bob read from An Open Heart by the Dalai Lama. The reading concerned some essential elements of Buddhist practice - and as usual the discussion ranged widely. Afterward, we dug in the garden, preparing the soil from the seedlings that are just waiting for their new home!