April retreat with brian lesage

​April 18-19 Retreat with Brian Lesage at MeadowRock Ranch
With additional sessions with Brian the evenings of April 21 and 23
"Our Relationship to Time"
“On this path we are called upon to become aware of our relationship to experience and to open the space for a new and liberating relationship to it. We will specifically be exploring our relationship to time and will be offering a variety of approaches for discovering a new and liberating relationship to it. 
To support this exploration, there will be a weekend retreat followed by two evening gatherings. The weekend retreat will provide the opportunity to explore a different sense of time in our lives. We will practice continuous mindfulness in silence with sitting and walking meditation practice as well as discussions.
The two evening groups following the retreat will continue this exploration through readings and discussion.
This retreat is designed for beginners and experienced practitioners.”
 
Proposed Schedule
            Friday, 4  ½-hour Practice discussions: 3:00-5:30 w/ 4-4:30 open)
            Saturday- (Apr 18),  retreat 9-5
            Sunday – (Apr 19),  retreat 9-4 
Tuesday (Apr 21), 4  ½-hour practice sessions, 2:30-5:00 w/ 3:30-4:00 open)
Tuesday evening session- Our Relationship to Time 6:30 PM – 8:00
            Thursday (Apr 23) 4  ½-hour practice sessions, 2:30-5:00 w/ 3:30-4:00 open)
Thursday session talk- Our Relationship to Time 6:30 PM – 8:00

The weekend retreat registration information will be sent via email on March 1st.  Evening sessions are separate and will be available to all sangha members.  Sign up sheets for individual sessions with Brian will be at the sangha house in March.

​Dying and Death of a Sangha Member committee
This group is looking at ways that the Sangha can be respond to the news of a dying Sangha member or the death of a Sangha member.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday, February 19th at 5:00pm at the Sangha house.
We will be discussing:  providing opportunities for education on dying and death;  having a “Vigil” at the Sangha house during the end-of-life process of a Sangha member;  creating an outside garden memorial area at the Sangha house;  other ideas that are brought forward.
Anyone interested may attend.
Men's Sit
The next Men’s Sit with be on Saturday, February 29th at 5:00pm.
 
The Five Precepts & Buddhist Morality
This community practice will be on February 16th at 3:30.  Everyone is welcome.
 
Yogi Jobs
We are still in need of house cleaners and snow shovelers to care for our special sangha home.  Sign up sheets are in the kitchen.
 
Mindfulness In The Jail
MIJ received $4,750 in Grant Funds from METAB for 2020.  MIJ was also the recipient of the first annual METAB "Jane" award given to an organization that exemplifies the generosity and service to the community of our dear friend Jane Whitmer.
Brian sent this response to his birthday message and gift
Dear Salida Sangha,
I just got to watch your video for my birthday.  Wow!  It was so sweet to see all of you in it.  Also, I am touched by your gift of a donation to the Environmental Defense Fund.  It fills my heart.    I appreciate the EDF's efforts to address environmental concerns through partnerships and nonpartisan approaches.
I look forward to seeing all of you in April!
with much gratitude and love,
Brian
 
And Finally, Denny's Poem of the Month
Blessing of Breathing – Jan Richardson

That the first breath
will come without fear.
That the second breath
will come without pain.
The third breath:
that it will come without despair.
And the fourth,
without anxiety.
That the fifth breath
will come with no bitterness.
That the sixth breath
will come for joy.
Breath seven:
that it will come for love.
May the eighth breath
come for freedom.
And the ninth,
for delight.
When the tenth breath comes,
may it be for us
to breathe together,
and the next,
and the next,
until our breathing
is as one,
until our breathing
is no more.

Breathing blessings to you all,
Your sangha board