Friday, August 6, 2010
just sitting and upcoming retreats
Chan master William Tsao will be leading the Denman Island retreat on the Sept 10th to 12th, and the one day retreat in White Rock.
Be Completely in the Present
At the first stage of just sitting, you know very clearly that you are sitting there. You sense your whole body sitting there, and you also sense certain parts of your body. You may have sensations that are obvious as well as others you are not aware of. Nevertheless, you are very clear about sitting there. This clarity is illumination. What about being distracted by sensations like pain, soreness, or itchiness. If you don't respond to them, this is silence. This is just sitting, the beginning stage of Silent Illumination practice. Some may think, all right, I'm itchy but I'm not going to scratch. But if you have a strong urge to scratch, you are already scratching. It is the same with leg pains. "My leg hurts, but I'm not going to move it. Don't react. Don't react." That is already responding to the pain. And since you have responded, just scratch the itch, straighten the leg and get it over with. Then go back to just sitting."
...from The Method of No-Method by Chan Master Sheng Yen, Pg. 26.
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The energy of anger: Ram Dass interviews Thicht Nhat Hanh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZKrl5n79hY
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A one-day retreat will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday August 21st at the White Rock Community Centre. There will be a lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Please bring a lunch with you. Cost is by donation. For participants in the Courtenay area, please request a registration form from Adrian.
Those who only wish to attend the morning group meditation may do so.
William hopes you have been able to practice your method and sends his blessings.
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Facebook Master Cheng Yen and http://chancommunitycanada.wordpress.com/
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