BLS 25th Anniversary Jubilee Quick Report
Here is a quick recounting of our jubilee celebration at Brighton Town Park September 15th. Close to forty people attended, not including the two virtual guests who Facetimed in or the RIT gang nearby who played badminton and croquet with us.
The weather was beautiful, the pond shimmering, the sun-filled sky heaped with towering clouds, the food delicious, the lodge congenial, the ceremonies, songs and dharma sharing sweet. Even the walking meditation had an escort of monarch butterflies.
With deep gratitude for all who helped the day unfold, for the open hearts, generosity and affectionate spirits of all who attended, Bernie Shore for the BLS 25th Anniversary Planning Team
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Buddhist Peace Fellowship Silent Vigil
When: Monday, October 1st, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Where: The Federal Building, 100 State Street, Rochester NY
The Rochester Chapter of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship invites you to join us on the first Monday of each month for a silent vigil (meditation) for peace.
Please bring your blanket, cushion or chair (and ground cloth or piece of plastic if it is wet). If you can't come for the full hour, please join us for as long as you can. This is an opportunity for us to publicly express a non-violent, compassionate, thoughtful alternative to aggression and conflict.
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Sacred Conversations on Race and Action
This is a single workshop spread out over two Saturdays: October 13th, 9 am to 1 pm, Location: 1199 SEIU Union Hall, 259 Monroe Ave., Suite 220, 14607 and October 20th, 9 am to 1 pm at the Zen Center, 7 Arnold Park, 14607 Attendance at both sessions is required. Our hosts, James Thompson and Wilma Campbell have been facilitating workshops on race for many years. James is a diligent Zen practitioner of almost 50 years, a yoga teacher, and community activist. This workshop will allow you the opportunity to be deeply heard and to also deeply listen. Here is the opportunity to speak from your heart about your concerns and feelings regarding our country's racist heritage. As James says, "This is also an opportunity to see if our actions to overcome racism can enhance our meditation practice, allowing it to become deeper and more integrated, so that we are more at home everywhere." If you would like more information, there is an informational meeting on Monday, September 24th from 6 pm - 7 pm. To register contact: James Thompson jimbojimbolaya@gmail.comView or download the flyer for details |
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Sister Ocean Visiting October 18th
Sister Hai An (Sister Ocean) will be visiting Blooming Lilac Sangha on October 18th. Depending on her plans, we may have a day of meditation, mindfulness with her, or be in nature. She will be joining us for our 3rd Thursday evening meditation and study of Awakening Together.
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October Day of Mindfulness (DOM): Be an Earth Holder
When: Saturday, October 20, 2018, 10:30 am to 4:00 PM Where: Chili, NY Be An Earth Holder day of mindfulness will set the intention for us to touch our love for mother earth, sit with our feelings about her suffering, and consider some things we might do to help her (and us) heal. This will provide an opportunity to renew hope and let us feel more empowered. RSVP to Annie at ukemiracle1@gmail.com. Location and directions will be given to you at that time. |
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November retreat with Micheal Ciborski
Dear Friends, may this email find you peaceful and smiling!  Registration is now open for the November retreat with Dharma teacher, Michael Ciborski. The retreat will be from November 15th - 19th, 2018, in Rochester NY. Please note that all residential spaces have been taken for this retreat. You are welcome to sign up as a commuter. If you live out of town, some Sangha members have offered a room in their home. To register, print the third page of the Information and Registration packet (link below) and send it by postal mail. In gratitude, Janet of the Blooming Lilac Sangha. Read through the Information and Registration packet flyer thoroughly. If you have any questions, please reply to this email. |
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Unified Mindfulness Rochester
When/Where: Mondays 7 pm - 8:30 pm 339 Berkeley St Rochester NY And Fridays 10 am - 11:30 am Spiritus Christi Church 121 N FitzHugh Rochester NY Chris is offering a 10-week repeating cycle of classes on the basic skills of insight meditation. The cycle resumes with class 1 at the beginning of October. Open for drop-in any week. The first few weeks of October are an excellent time to check out this program and get in on the next round. Hosted by sangha members Chris Phillips, Avery Argenna and JoAnne Wilson To learn more and stay up to date, like the Unified Mindfulness Facebook page |
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Boundless Mind Days: Lovingkindness & Compassion
A three-part series hosted by Chris Phillips When: Saturdays 9 am to 12 pm. November 29th, December 8th, and Dec 29th. Where: Rochester Mennonite Church 111 Hillside Ave An introduction and exploration of Lovingkindness (Metta) Meditation and its sister technique Compassion (Karuna) Meditation. For more information and to register, visit Chris Philip's Boundless Mind Days Webpage |
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Practicing Together
Regularly Scheduled BLS Events that are not on Sunday. If you haven't had a chance to attend these offerings for a while, or never attended, please give them a try.
Core Practices; Core Teachings:
First Thursday evening of each month 7 pm - 8:30 pm at 375 Westminster Road, Rochester, 14607. Future occurrences include Sept 6th, Oct 4th, Nov 1st, Dec 6th, etc.
An opportunity to study Core practices and teachings of the Plum Village tradition. We are exploring the book The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh, and inviting sangha members to take turns sharing one Plum Village practice meaningful to them. You are welcome to any and all meetings. No need to make every session.
Inclusivity:
Update: November 2018 there will be no meeting due to a scheduling conflict with the retreat. Otherwise, it is every Third Thursday each month from 7 pm - 8:30 pm at 375 Westminster Road, Rochester, 14607.
We will be reading from Awakening Together: The Spiritual Practice of Inclusivity and Community by Larry Yang. We will start with meditation and then offer Dharma sharing to look more deeply at these issues. You can show up any month for these meditation and study sessions. No need to start at the beginning.
14 Mindfulness Trainings Study and Practice:
Fourth Thursdays at 6:30 pm we gather to recite and study the 14 Mindfulness Trainings. The 14 Mindfulness Trainings are the essence of the Order of Interbeing. They allow us to touch the nature of interbeing in everything that is and to see our happiness is not separate from the happiness of others. They help us cultivate concentration and insight which free us from fear and the illusion of a separate self. If you are interested in deepening your mindfulness practice, cultivating your skill in transforming suffering, touching joy in each moment and supporting others in their practice, please join us. All are welcome to explore this practice. For location and directions contact Laurie Brewer at 585-698-7664 or laurie.breathe@gmail.com .
Morning Meditations:
Every Tuesday and Thursday 7:15 am to 8:00 am 375 Westminster Road, Rochester, 14607 A new school year is beginning. Could this be a good time to freshen your meditation routine? You can start your day by meditating with the support of the community! All are welcome. Our hosts are Xiaoping, xplin7842@gmail.com and Min min_wang3@gmail.com |
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