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Forgiveness MeditationThis is traditionally a preliminary practice, before doing lovingkindness or compassion meditation. Forgiveness should never be forced. Do this practice only within your comfort zone. It is fine not to do it at all.
Get into a comfortable position. Close your eyes. Bring your attention to the heart energy center in the middle of your chest, behind the breastbone or sternum. Feel whatever is there without judgment. Breathe through the heart center. Try to say the words of the forgiveness meditation through your heart. Think of ways in which you have harmed yourself and harmed others. It is better to begin with minor things, not the big acts of harming. As far as you are able to do so, extend forgiveness to yourself for this harming by saying these phrases to yourself: I allow myself to be imperfect. I allow myself to make mistakes. I allow myself to be a learner, still learning life’s lessons. I forgive myself for the harm I have done. If I cannot forgive myself now, may I forgive myself sometime in the future. Think of ways in which you feel others have harmed you — again, beginning with minor harms. As far as you are able to do so, extend forgiveness to them. Just as I am imperfect, I accept that you too are imperfect. Just as I make mistakes, I accept that you too make mistakes. Just as I am a learner, still learning life’s lessons, I accept that you too are a learner, still learning life’s lessons I forgive you for the harm I feel like you have done to me. If I cannot forgive you now, may I forgive you sometime in the future.
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Dear Retreat Friends,
Thank you all for sharing a very meaningful retreat with us. We hope you are continuing to benefit from the experience. The forgiveness meditation is attached here as promised. Also, thanks to Ruth Phillips, here are the titles and authors of the poems that Brian read: "That time I thought I could not go any closer to grief without dying..." Mary Oliver "The Healing Time" Pesha Joyce Gertler "Prayer" Marie Howe Also, Brian's retreat and public talks are available on our website here: http://http//www.salidasangha.org/resources.html Once again we are so grateful for your presence in our special community and we also want to thank you most sincerely for your amazingly generous gifts of dana for Brian! We hope to see you again when Brian is here August 24th and 25th. Registration will be open in late May. With deep blessings, The Salida Sangha Retreat Committee Retreat And Residency With Brian Lesage
Our 9 days with Brian from January 25-February 2 were a huge success with 50 people participating in all or part of the events. The feedback we received was truly heartwarming. The amazing Kevin Wathen recorded all of Brian's talks, including the public one in front a full house at A Church. In case you missed them they are available on our website resource page here: http://http://www.salidasangha.org/resources.html Spring Yard Cleanup At The Sangha House Mark your calendars and please join us on Saturday April 27 at 9:30 a.m. to prepare our yard for spring and summer! Your efforts will be rewarded with a delicious potluck and social time to follow at noon. We sincerely hope that yard care will be a group effort this year and not fall to just one dedicated individual! Thanks! Weekly group meditations Attendance has increased at our Sunday evening 5:00 sits as we continue each week to explore the Buddha's teachings with a year long series of topics which are listed on our website calendar. http://www.salidasangha.org/calendar.html Attendance is also really good at the Tuesday and Thursday noon sits but we always welcome more companionship there. Other events, too numerable to mention here, are also on our website calendar. And finally, just so you know when NOT to schedule your summer vacation.... Our next Non-residential retreat with Brian Lesage is August 24th and 25th. We hope you to see you soon! With blessings from Your Sangha Board |
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August 2023
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Salida Insight Meditation Community 248 D Street Salida, CO |