The Garden Sangha

12/31/2024

When asked: "in what way can I concretely apply mindfulness", I'm always reminded of Thich Nhat Hanh's distillation from the Satipatthana Sutta where he provides 7 miracles of mindfulness as shared nearly a decade ago by the plum village community in this post.

It is as relevant then as it is now.

The Seven Miracles of Mindfulness help lead to a happy and healthy life. Being present. Helping others be present. Nourishing the object of our attention. Relieving the other's suffering. Looking deeply. Understanding. And transformation.

10/01/2024

Perspective is a meaningful dimension of life.
With perspective we can gain insight.

Take this case, someone is opposed to dog faeces, a natural fertilizer, at the foot of this tree. I interpret this as being attentive of the cleanliness of their space in according to their own cosmological understanding. However they are unaware that their landscape maintenance practices which involve the use of herbicides to attain a pure green lawn is in fact killing the tree.

Looking deeply into the interwoven nature of existence isn't only a concept for the meditation cushion, Pratītyasamutpāda (dependent origination) can be felt in all dimensions of existing, even the very mundane. Instead of becoming shocked from a fellow human's actions, when we look deeply we can begin to understand where they are and perhaps gain insight into the why of the what.

Perspective

09/23/2024

Scattered lines across leaves
Paths that give way to breathe
Sun, like copper
Glowing

In October, we're looking to start weekly meditations with group (Dharma) sharing inspired by cornerstone elements of Buddhist philosophy.

Everything is at no cost, just aiming to share space. Join our WhatsApp group "Weekly group meditation & Dharma sharing"

💚

06/12/2024

The Písell Landmark is part of a series of Secwépemc Landmark sculptures that teach about Secwépemc oral histories (stsptékwle or stsptákwle) and place names throughout Secwepemcúl'ecw. The Coyote Rock, created by Shayne D. Hunt, represents rock formations created by Sek'lép, Sk'lap, or Senxúxwlecw (Coyote).

06/05/2024

"Planting sansai is like planting seeds of peace within your heart. With each leaf, let mindfulness grow, nourishing the spirit. As Thich Nhat Hanh teaches, in the act of planting, we cultivate not just the earth but our own understanding and compassion. Each sprout is a reminder that peace begins with every mindful breath."

05/30/2024

Earth brings us to life and nourishes us.
Earth takes us back again.
We are born and we die with every breath.

Plum Village

05/22/2024

Today's meditation at 7pm is cancelled

05/18/2024

'We touch the Earth, and we are no longer alienated from our own bodies or from the body of the earth.'

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

05/13/2024

Join us this Wednesday at 7 pm for an hour of meditation and dharma sharing .
10 Ave Pins, #414