Friends,
We’re postponing the launch of Eastside in-person hybrid sits, for at least a month, until we sort through the details of what’s needed.
As you might imagine we’ve heard a wide range of views on the question of meeting in person, from folks who won’t return to Eastside Insight until we’re in person, to people who think it’s too soon to be together again. The range on the vaccine question is similar, from those who think we should require attendees to be vaccinated, to others who vigorously dislike any such requirements.
We’re meeting with leadership at Northlake Unitarian Church and Seattle Insight Mediation in coming days, so it seems it makes sense to stand down until we get a better sense of which way the wind blows for them. All of this is samsara to be sure, so we’ll ride the wave and get through as a sangha.
My own primary focus is to find a balance that best supports people in the dharma and in their practice, and that also gives people flexibility to do what seems right and safe for them. Of course I remain interested in any thoughts from all of you, so please email them to stevellen95@comcast.net.
Our next sit will be Thursday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., and it will be via Zoom. Please email Steve for the link - stevellen95@comcast.net
On Oct. 7 we’ll launch a four-week series on the four foundations of mindfulness, the Buddha’s essential teaching on mindfulness practice.
As many of you know, these four are explicated in the Satipatthana Sutta, which is #10 in the Middle Length Discourse, the Majjhima Nikaya. Here’s a link to that sutta, as translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Also a piece in Wikipedia.
There are many wonderful books on this sutta, due to its importance. One of the clearest and deepest is Satipatthana, by Ven. Analayo.
The Satipatthana Sutta is essential because it’s exactly where the Buddha taught how to do mindfulness practice, how it works, and what we can anticipate from it. As with all of the dharma, it contains infinite depths that keep revealing themselves, exactly as we progress in our study and practice.
We’ve introduced this in the past, but it’s been a few years and well worthwhile to explore again. Always new aspects to see.
Here are ways to send dana via PayPal and via the post. Thank you for your support of the dharma.
paypal.me/SteveWilhelm48
Steve Wilhelm
7510 117th Ave. NE
Kirkland, WA 98033
Looking ahead, on Oct. 21 Eastside Insight will be led by Susan Alotrico, who teaches the dharma with Seattle Insight Meditation Society. She’s a deep and dedicated practitioner, and the evening will be fruitful.
(I’m in retreat that week, so not planning to be there.)
Looking a bit further ahead, Lyndal Johnson and myself will be offering an Eastside day of mindfulness on Saturday, Nov. 13. We’re hoping it will be hybrid, and if so it will be in the main Northlake sanctuary, as well as via zoom. More on that to come.
May you all be in good health, in body, mind and heart, in coming weeks.
Looking forward to seeing you via Zoom on Oct. 7, and hopefully in person in November!
With bows and love,
Steve