News and inspiration from Interbeing Sangha of Kingston

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Interbeing Sangha of Kingston - Weekly Electronic Bulletin Issue #29 - February 10th, 2018

Interbeing Sangha
of Kingston

Weekly Meeting

Please join us for our next weekly gathering, taking place this Sunday, February 11th, for meditation and dharma sharing, 6:30pm at Unitarian Place (Kingston Unitarian Fellowship), 206 Concession Street.

The Teacher in Yourself

"We tend to compare ourselves with others and to wonder if we have enough to offer in a relationship. Many of us feel unworthy. We’re thirsty for truth, goodness, compassion, spiritual beauty, and we’re sure these things don’t exist within us, so we go looking outside... Beauty and goodness are always there in each of us. This is the basic teaching of the Buddha. A true teacher, a true spiritual partner, is one who encourages you to look deeply in yourself for the beauty and love you are seeking. The true teacher is someone who helps you discover the teacher in yourself."

-- Thich Nhat Hanh

Walk With Me

Toronto Release

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto will host (what is apparently) the Canadian premiere of the Thich Nhat Hanh film narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, Walk With Me, March 9th - 12th. This news comes from the Hot Docs Website, where you can see the showing schedule. If you will be in Toronto or are interested in organizing (or joining) a group to go together for the opening or one of the screenings, contact interbeingkingston@gmail.com.

Our sangha hopes to host a showing of the film in Kingston and has been in dialogue with both the distributor, Speak It films, and Wendy Huot of The Screening Room for almost a year now. Although this latest news of the Toronto release did not come from the distributor, it's a hopeful development, so stay tuned for an update soon!

In Two Weeks

Sangha-led Service

Interbeing Sangha will be leading the Sunday morning service at Kingston Unitarian Fellowship on Sunday, February 25th at 10:30 am. The service will introduce KUF to the practice of our sangha, and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, with an emphasis on the common ground between our traditions. Sangha members will share reflections on Engaged Buddhism & Social Justice, Thay’s teachings & Humanism, and the Unitarian "7th Principle" & Interbeing. We hope to see you there.

Community Announcement

Sangha Member Seeking New Home

Sangha member Jane Owen (the creator of our sangha's beautiful circle cloth and many lovely cushions!) is seeking your assistance. She writes: "I am looking for a place to live, since my landlady wants to live in my place. Could you let me know if you know anyone who has a place to rent or anyone looking for a roommate? Thanks, Jane (owenjane3@yahoo.ca).

Seeking New Members

Bell Minders's Team

Interbeing Sangha needs more bell minders. As the saying goes, "many hands make light work." Our ability to host a weekly meeting and support our mindfulness practice together depends upon having a good-sized group to rotate responsibilities for leading, once every six weeks or so. Please consider incorporating this into your practice. Even "guest bell minders" are welcome, if you can only sign up for one date.

Bell minder Linda Tucker had the wonderful idea of establishing mentors for new bell minders. By partnering with an experienced bell minder, those new to leading can have guidance and practice before taking on a scheduled date. Contact interbeingkingston@gmail.com to join the team, or sign up for guest bell minding.

Sunday at KUF

Good Intentions, Apologies, & Growing Together

In life we can choose to both assume good intent in others and work towards it in ourselves. This Sunday, February 11th at 10:30 am, Rev. Beckett Coppola explores teachable moments that call us to intentional growth.

Also, this week after service at 12:00 pm: Are you interested in becoming a Friend or a Member of KUF? Rev. Beckett and members will talk about this Fellowship, Unitarian Universalism, and hear stories about how they found this community and what it has meant to them.

Forgetfulness or Mindfulness

"Most people are forgetful; they are not really there a lot of the time. Their mind is caught in their worries, their fears, their anger, and their regrets, and they are not mindful of being there. That state of being is called forgetfulness—you are there but you are not there. You are caught in the past or in the future. You are not there in the present moment, living your life deeply. That is forgetfulness. The opposite of forgetfulness is mindfulness. Mindfulness is when you are truly there, mind and body together. You breathe in and out mindfully, you bring your mind back to your body, and you are there. When your mind is there with your body, you are established in the present moment. Then you can recognize the many conditions of happiness that are in you and around you, and happiness just comes naturally."

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Our sangha has two teams helping to share leadership and facilitation of our meetings. Our Bell Minders Team are mindful facilitators for our weekly gatherings, as well as retreats, taking beautiful care of our friends in the practice including the bell. Our Sangha Care Team facilitates sangha care meetings, plans retreats, minds our library and resources, and coordinates outreach. If you are interested in helping with either or both, contact interbeingkingston@gmail.com for more information.

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