You are invited to join our Sangha wide Fall Practice Period. The focus will be to cultivate Listening to Life. Doing these practices with the support of Sangha and daily teachings increases their potency.
Listening to Life
We live in a world where many are eager to be heard, - but where are the listeners? Is anyone being heard?
Some think the Trappist monks are weird for living in silence, or the Buddhist yogis who go on 3 year retreats. Those who meditate know that listening is an essential and life enhancing skill to learn. It reveals what it means to awaken. Not listening and a culture of distraction are, in part, what has brought us into disastrous times. Thich Nhat Hanh gave us his advice on the Climate Crisis many years ago: “The most important thing that we can do is to hear within ourselves the sounds of the Earth crying.” Not enough of us have heard the cries, not enough of us are listening.
When we don’t listen we are lost. But we can stop and recognize “wherever we are is called Here.” (see poem by Wagoner). We can listen into the silence, into the not knowing, and into the unfamiliar. Eventually we develop a taste for new ways of being alive and here. Not separate and alone but connected and caring.
Please join the IMT sangha and teachers for this special time of deep listening practice as we enter the winter season.
May we become a listening presence in the world, and a gift to all who need to be heard.
LOST by David Wagoner
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
HOW IT WORKS
During this 9 day Practice Period, as you go about your daily life, you will choose from a menu of options for how you will practice. You might choose to attend one or more of the Group Sittings which will be offered, or listen from a curated list of Dharma talks, or practice mindful eating, or limit screen time.
How you practice is up to you. You will be supported by the teachers, Anna Douglas and Terry Magee. They will lead a daily drop in discussion group by Zoom for those participating in the Practice Period. You will also be supported by opening and closing ceremonies, and Sangha sittings three times a day.
Here is a list of what will be available to support you in deepening your practice and understanding:
Opening Ceremony, October 28, 6:45 pm
A Practice Period Pledge to fill out during the Opening Ceremony (CLICK HERE to see and download pledge form)
Three daily sangha sittings, 7:00am, 12:00 pm, and 6:00pm, 40 min, led by Anna, Terry, and Sangha members.
A Discussion Group with Anna and Terry, 45 minutes via Zoom, to meet every day at 12:45 pm and 6:45 pm.
A curated list of Dharma talks to listen anytime.
Last day, a 3 hour hybrid class: our first in person gathering since 2020, with food and time to visit at Anna Douglas’ house in Green Valley. Zoom options and Closing Ceremony will be offered. November 6, 10:00am-1:00pm.
WHEN
Thursday, Oct 28, 2021 6:45 PM through
Saturday, Nov 6, 2021 1:00 PM
DONATION
You have the opportunity to offer dana to support Anna Douglas and Terry Magee.
Suggested donation is $175 - $25. We ask you to give what feels generous. Your generosity is what allows IMT to continue offering Dharma teachings.
CONTACT
For any questions contact Terry Magee at insightmeditationtucson@gmail.com or call 520-477-1897.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
To register click on the button below. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email. After Opening Ceremony you will receive an email with a password, giving you access to the Practice Period Resource page which contains Zoom links and Selected Dharma Talks.
