“If you are unable to find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?” ― Dogen

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Hi <<First Name>>! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your friends and family and that your New Year has gotten off to a good start.

There are a number of opportunities in the next couple months to join together with other SEBC friends for practice and fellowship. Below you'll find details on upcoming meditation sessions, book discussions, and a new English Language Vipassana Service being offered in our area!

Please let us know if you have suggestions, feedback, or ideas on how the group can be most meaningful to you.

Wishing you much peace now and throughout this New Year.

The SEBC "Founders" Team

Regular Events
Our monthly meditation sessions will continue on the same schedule -- first and second Wednesdays at The Yoga Center in North Augusta and 3rd Sundays at Lotus Buddhist Temple in North Augusta:

* Wed, Jan 2, 7pm - Meditation Session @ The Yoga Center
* Wed, Jan 9, 7pm - Meditation Session @ The Yoga Center
* Sun, Jan 20, 4pm - 3rd Sunday Mindfulness/Meditation Get-Together @ Lotus Buddhist Temple

Note: The 3rd Sunday Get-Together's include a pot-luck vegetarian meal for all to share after the meditation session. Feel free (but not obliged) to bring along a vegetarian food or drink item if you are able.
For more info on the 3rd Sunday gatherings go to: 3rd Sunday
For more info on our Wednesday meditation sessions go to: Wed Sessions

Special Events
Carey plans to continue facilitating book discussions this year but will move to a bi-monthly meeting schedule.

* Sun, Feb 24, 2pm - Untangling Self @ The Book Tavern
* Sun, Apr 28, 2pm - One Dharma @ The Book Tavern

We encourage you to order your copy of the books from
The Book Tavern: (706) 826-1940 or booktavern@gmail.com

The discussions, which are held in the upstairs area of The Book Tavern, are informal and all are welcome!

Other Area Events
A local Theravadan Vietnamese Monastery, Santivana Buddhist Assembly, has begun offering Sunday services in English! Several of us have been attending these meetings regularly. See the email from "Monk Tom" below for full details:

Dear all,
As per request from the Non-Vietnamese devotees to have our Sunday practice conducted in English so all can participate, Santivana Buddhist Assembly will now conduct all in English unless being asked in Vietnamese and answers will be responded in Vietnamese. Our Sunday program will start at 11am-1pm. There will be 45 minutes for sitting meditation, 15 minutes walking meditation, 45 minutes Dhamma Discussion and 5 minutes for sharing merit either in English or Pali [sometimes Vietnamese too]...Currently, our place has sitting cushion mats but no sitting pillow. Please bring your own sitting pillow to accommodate your sitting as needed. Thank you all and we are looking forward to your attendance and participation.
With mettā,
Monk Tom (Ven. Sīlācāra Gioi Hanh)

Santivana Buddhist Assembly Tinh Lam Vien
4453 Etterlee Rd,
Blythe, GA 30805
Tel. 796.723.3052

Monthly Quote: Enjoying the Journey

"Whatever technique one is using, remember that the spirit of practice is more important than the technique. Finding a way to enjoy just sitting is key. Sitting meditation is a refuge, not a test."
—Narayan Liebenson Grady, “The Refuge of Sitting”