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mindful LIVINGA New Level of MindfulnessWhen one does a retreat in Plum Village, it has avery strong effect which makes it possible to reach a stateof deep calm and concentration. After this experienceone always feels like going back to this state, and it is astrong motivation. However, as soon as one goes backhome, I find that one loses that state, more or less rapidly,depending on the environment to which one returns.The winter retreat at the Maison de l’Inspir was a differentexperience, which presented two big advantages.First, as we tried to practice during the retreat, we wereforced to find solutions and adjustments in our usualenvironment, and this elevated the level of our mindfulness.The new quality of mindfulness remained less thanthe one attainable in Plum Village, but I found that it wasmore solid: it was in our normal life, at home, that wehad created new habits. Secondly, by doing the retreatwithout being physically separated from the family, therewas the possibility for the family to be associated withit. This is what happened with my husband, although hewas not particularly interested in practicing.One retreatant, Francoise, wrote: “This winter retreatat home, in the office, in the metro, in the streetsof Paris, generated space and time for a more intensespiritual practice. I have a dream that the seeds that wehave sown will germinate in other sanghas, and for thewinter retreat 2009-2010 we will be a thousand laypeopleparticipating in the retreat ‘at home.’ I make the wishthat the energy generated by our collective meditationdispels the veil of ignorance and soothes the sufferingof all living beings around us.”Another practitioner, Celine, shared: “To summarizehow I feel about this retreat I would like to tell thisstory. A magnificent hundred-year-old bonzai was givento a friend; despite all the care taken as far as light andhygrometry, after a few months, the bonzai was losingall its leaves and was showing less and less vitality. Myfriend took his bonzai back to the shop, and they told himto come back in three months’ time. Three months later,the bonzai was splendid with brand new leaves, and myfriend asked: ‘What did you do?’ The answer was simple:‘Nothing, I just put it with the others.’ I feel deeply thenecessity of practicing/sharing in the Sangha to help eachother out. Moreover, the other is a mirror.”This retreat was very beneficial for our practiceand brought us a lot of joy. And its first manifestationhad a beautiful continuation. During the winter of2009, French members of the Order of Interbeing madethe “winter retreat at home” available in many placesthroughout the country. OI members signed up to facilitateweekly groups to talk about the special practicesoffered by monastics via email. More than 170 peopleparticipated in the retreat at home!26 Winter/Spring 2010
mindful LIVINGConscious WorkA Mindfulness TrainingBy Meryl Bovardphoto by Paul DavisI wrote this mindfulness training during my process of aspirancyto ordain in the Order of Interbeing. One of my mentors,Lyn Fine, suggested I write a mindfulness training for an area ofmy life in need of transformation. It really helped. Five years later,my work life is much healthier, and I take time to rest and practiceAdeep relaxation each day.Aware of the suffering caused by overworking, I am committed tocultivating compassion for myself and learning ways to protectmy life. I am determined not to overwork, and not to support mycompulsion to create additional work projects. I am committed tocultivating good health, both physical and mental, for the benefitof myself, my family, my Sangha, and society, by balancing ahealthy diet, work, and rest. I will seek and accept only work whichpreserves well-being and joy in my body and in my consciousness,as well as the collective body and consciousness of my family, mySangha, my clients, and society. I am determined not to ingestcertain conversations, which water my seeds of overwork. I amaware that to damage my body or consciousness with extremefatigue and burnout is to betray my ancestors, my family, mySangha, and society.I will work to transform the seeds of fear of scarcity, peoplepleasing,and status-seeking in myself by practicing a diet ofmeditation, rest, and mindful awareness of the abundance of thekingdom of God within me and within each moment. I will workto transform the seeds of greed and overwork in myself and mysociety by practicing circulation and sharing of my resources, generosity,ecological conservation, and mindful stopping and restingin order to protect myself. I understand that to water seeds of goodhealth, rest, generosity, simple living, and awareness of the abundanceof the present moment is crucial for my self-transformation,as well as for the transformation of my society.Meryl Bovard, True HeavenlyPeace, co-founded QuietMountain Sangha, and alsopractices with Blue CliffMonastery Sangha. Merylpractices photographymeditation and is studying tobecome a yoga teacher.the Mindfulness Bell 27
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Page 7: dharma TALKNirvana is not a place y
Page 12 and 13: miracle of SANGHAADear Brothers, Si
Page 14 and 15: miracle of SANGHA12 Winter/Spring 2
Page 16 and 17: miracle of SANGHATthe SanghaIn theE
Page 18 and 19: miracle of SANGHAA Living ThayBy Ca
Page 20 and 21: embracing VIETNAMOSupportMonasticsi
Page 22 and 23: embracing VIETNAMreflection. Only 7
Page 24 and 25: embracing VIETNAMTheGermanMaitreyaF
Page 26 and 27: embracing VIETNAMWhere Help Is Need
Page 30 and 31: mindful LIVINGBees in LavenderWhat
Page 32 and 33: mindful LIVINGMindful InAny Weather
Page 34 and 35: death and DYINGSome friends and I j
Page 36 and 37: death and DYINGAlmost all of us wan
Page 38 and 39: death and DYING“Now is an excelle
Page 40 and 41: death and DYINGTouchingSunlightBy P
Page 42 and 43: death and DYINGMourning MyDaughterB
Page 44 and 45: death and DYINGphoto by Corina Bene
Page 46 and 47: sangha NEWSSangha NewsThe Steering
Page 48 and 49: media REVIEWSHappinessEssentialMind
Page 50: mindfulness BELLSubscribe to theMin

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