River of Perceptions

"Our thoughts and feelings flow like a river. If we try to stop the flow of a river, we will meet the resistance of the water. It is better to flow with it, and then we may be able to guide it in ways we want it to go. We must not attempt to halt it. Keep in mind that the river must flow and that we are going to follow it. We must be aware of every little stream that joins it. We must be aware of  all the thoughts, feelings, and sensations that arise in us - of their birth, duration, and disappearance. Do you see? Now the resistance begins to disappear. The river of perceptions is still flowing, but no longer in darkness. It is now flowing in the sunlight of awareness. To keep this sun always shining inside of us, illuminating each rivulet, each pebble, each bend in the river, is the practice of meditation."

--Thich Nhat Hanh, The Sun, My Heart

Sun of Awareness

"Since we do not even know what our "self" is, how can we know if it is true or false, and whether or what to suppress? The only thing we can do is to let the sunlight of awareness shine on our "self" and en-lighten it, so we can look at it directly. Just as flowers and leaves are only part of a plant, and just as waves are only part of the ocean, perceptions, feelings, and thoughts are only part of the self. . . It is useless to try to repress or stifle them. It is impossible. We can only observe them. Because they exist, we can find their source, which is exactly the same as our own. The sun of awareness originates in the heart of the self. It enables the self to illuminate the self. It lights not only all thoughts and feelings present. It lights itself as well."

--Thich Nhat Hanh, The Sun, My Heart

Our Sangha Care Team includes our Bell Minders, the mindful facilitators for our weekly gatherings who take beautiful care of our friends in practice including the bell. Together, we meet for sangha care meetings to plan retreats, mind our library and resources, and coordinate outreach. If you are interested in bell minding and/or helping with sangha care, contact interbeingkingston@gmail.com.