A DEEP SUMMER PAUSE FOR AUGUST
As some semblance of “normal” life re-shapes itself, here at IMT we are taking some time off to look backward and to look forward.
LOOKING BACK
As the pandemic unfolded in 2020, we (Anna and Terry) made sure we would continue to have a reliable structure for IMT with our weekly Thursday eve classes and all other classes. We moved onto the Zoom platform. Remember how novel that was way back at the beginning? We turned a planned in person retreat with Tina Rasmussen into an online bi-monthly class. Anna began offering a class on Sunday mornings for practice support. In the last 18 months we have offered two Practice Periods. The Sangha has rallied and bonds have been formed. In short, we adapted and even expanded our reach.
As the guiding teacher of the group, I am very grateful for the support Terry and I have received, and especially during the ongoing pandemic. Not only your Dana offerings in the form of necessary financial support but all the ways you have continued to show up for the practice, for the teachings and for each other.
The heartbeat of the IMT sangha is strong.
LOOKING FORWARD
During the month of August, we are taking a Deep Summer Pause - to rest, to rejuvenate, to tend to our personal practice. Anna will be on a retreat for 17 days at Spirit Rock. Terry will be resting and having precious time for herself. During this Pause, you can be sure we will both be holding our shared vision of IMT going forward in September, with the Thursday eve class resuming with Jeff H. on Sept 2 with teachings on the Divine Abodes. The second Thursday, Sept 9, Terry will offer a class on Inquiry. Tina will continue to teach on the third Thursday, and Anna will be back for the class on Sept. 23rd. Anna’s Sunday morning class will resume on October 3. We are planning a Practice Period of 9 days to begin on October 28. Mark your calendars!
In the beginning of the new year there will be a few new offerings - a class for new students, and a group on the theme of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
During this Deep Summer Pause, we encourage you to practice, practice, practice!! Perhaps find a Dharma buddy to schedule a sitting and check in with. Choose a favorite Dharma subject to engage in reflection or study. Cross the flood! Don’t let the waters of greed, hatred and delusion stop you. Keep making your best effort. And remember how simple the basic vipassana practice is -
“Sit and know that you are sitting.
Breathe and know that you are breathing.”
Ad infinitum forever
You can do this! And the more you practice, the more you will learn about “crossing the flood.”
With much Gratitude for your practice and your Presence in the Sangha, we send you Metta and Karuna and Mudita and every Blessing!
Anna and Terry
ADVICE FROM THE BUDDHA
The Buddha was asked how he “crossed the flood” and found enlightenment. The flood is a simile often used in the teachings for the entanglements of this world, specifically greed, hatred and delusion. How do we navigate these states without being overwhelmed?
"Tell me, dear sir, how you crossed over the flood."
"I crossed over the flood without pushing forward, without staying in place."
"But how, dear sir, did you cross over the flood without pushing forward, without staying in place?"
"When I pushed forward, I was whirled about. When I stayed in place, I sank. And so I crossed over the flood without pushing forward, without staying in place."
We could call this right effort. We discover this as we navigate our course - not too tight, not too loose, not resisting.