Trust all is well!
New Year Greetings
May 2019 bring many moments of mindfulness and joy!!
All Past Tips
See below for the Tip o' the Day : New Year Resolution
For Calendar and assistant opportunities see below .
Noirin here again as Bhante is still on retreat in Sri Lanka, though expected back before the end of December. I'm back in Dublin now, so its John who is holding the fort at Satipanya. There are no residential retreats during December and John is using the break to put his carpentry skills to good use, making and fitting tongue-and-groove wood paneling for the lower part of the dining room wall. I imagine this will prove a lovely resting place for the eyes and support our mindful eating practice during 2019 and beyond. Thanks John.
The new air-source heater is being installed and expected to be up and running by the new year. Its a major installation, but very worthwhile ecologically as it is replacing the oil burner. Amazing technology - usually we think of protecting our warm inner spaces from the cold outside air, but this turns the equation upside down and extracts heat for the radiators from the outside air! Its like a fridge, but running in reverse. Big savings on carbon footprint which our planet so urgently needs.
Karuna Book: Every morning at puja we call the names of those who are sick or dying, or are having a hard time.
Mudita Book: Every evening at puja we call the names of those who have something to rejoice.
Click for Bhante's Away Courses
The Calendar for 2018
Assistants Needed
See website for up-to-date Assistant need: http://www.satipanya.org.uk/calendar/
As assistant you have the opportunity to serve others. It can be a way of expressing gratitude for the gift of Dhamma.
Although the morning is mainly taken up with breakfast preparation and cooking, the rest of day is for practice.
You can see the menus here.
As an assistant, we do not expect payment of the deposit or a donation because you have kindly offered your time.
However, your commitment is essential, for the course would be very difficult to run without an assistant and may indeed have to be cancelled.
If you are interested, follow this link: Course Assistant
For info. about Retreats and teachers see website www.satipanya.org.uk
See drop down menus: especially About Us, Teachings and Retreats
Would you like to come and assist on a course?
Scroll down to see where we need you.
Teachers: Click on names for bio.
Day Retreat
Kick Start/Top up
Saturday 05 January
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Local Assistants : Gerraint Owen & Verity Mitchell
Arrive 09.30. Finish 17.00
Please bring veggie food to share.
Winter Mahasi
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Open for Application
Eight week roll-on, roll-off Retreat.
Start dates restricted to these Saturdays:
Sat 12 Jan – Sun 20 Jan : Sun 20 Jan – Sat 26 Jan Jim Tibby
Sat 26 Jan – Sun 03 Feb: Wendy Harvey
Sun 03 Feb – Sat 09 Feb Noirin Sheahan
Sat 09 Feb – Sun 17 Feb : Gaia Zocchi
Sun 17 Feb – Sat 23 Feb Mark Arthur
Sat 23 Feb – Sun 03 Mar : Sun 03 Mar – Sat 09 Mar Gilbert Altrichter
Finishing Sat 09 March
Open only to those who have at least one Mahasi Retreat
either at Satipanya or with another teacher
Alternate Sundays may be possible: 20 Jan.; 03 & 17 Feb.; 03 Mar.
You are encouraged to stay for more than one week.
Day Retreat
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Local Assistant : Needed
Kick Start/Top up
Sat. 16 March
Arrive 09.30. Finish 17.00
Please bring veggie food to share.
APPLICATIONS START JANUARY 07
Easter Mahasi Retreat
Noirin Sheahan
Vipassana means “Seeing clearly”.
When we see the world as it really is, we will be free from the distress that comes from identifying with a limited view of who and what we are.
During the retreat, we relax from all our usual busyness to give our full attention to present experience.
We learn to see the world more clearly, and to disentangle the knots of confusion that bind us to emotional turmoil.
At precious moments, the heart opens and we sense what it means to be free.
Assistant : Needed
Start dates: Sat. 06, Sun 14 and Sat 20 April
Finishes Sat. am 27 April
The usual schedule and format – see website,
easily modified for beginners.
Buddha Day
Honouring Our Exemplar and Teacher
Taking Refuges and Precepts Ceremony
On Saturday 04 May : Start 10.30
Assistant: Needed
Morning Meditation
Please bring veggie food to share for
communal lunch at noon.
Ceremony starts 13.30
Afternoon Talk : Taking Refuges and Precepts : Procession
Tea and Biscuits 16.00
.
Vipassana : Metta : Bodycare
Bhante Bodhidhamma
with Bryan Lester, Reiki Master
Assistant: Ruth Wogan
Come Friday evening if you want to join in Buddha Day Celebration
Sat 04 – Weds 08 May
Towards a Right Lifestyle
The first weekend is devoted to Mahasi vipassana and metta /Loving-Kindness
and exercises that heal and/or invigorate the body.
After that, one can choose what to practise.
Discussion on how to develop the spiritual life.
Mahasi Weekend Retreat
Jenny Birkett
Assistant Needed
Fri. 17 – Sun. 19 May
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Especially for beginners.
Weeklong Mahasi Retreat
Guus Went
Sat 25 May – Sun. 02 Jun.
Assistant Needed
Sayadaw U Pandita's definition of Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the observing power of the mind, which clearly and simply experiences an object, without reacting to it.
We start actively to develop this power with the body as primary object. That makes it possible not to get fully entangled in the hindrances and to come to know something about them. Sitting meditation, walking meditation and daily activities are fully equal in importance. Gradually we come to know other objects of meditation, both internally and externally.
Practical thing: It is useful to take a small notebook and a pen, to make notes of observations after a session or during the day. This will be helpful to make the interview sessions useful and relaxed.
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Weeklong Mahasi Retreat
Carl Fooks
Assistant Needed
Sat 15 Jun – Sun 23 June
The Mahasi system can feel challenging, and its emphasis on moment-to-moment mindfulness can prove to feel
particularly difficult. Carl teaches a gentle approach to the practice encouraging a skilful and effective orientation
that helps practitioners to commit themselves fully to the practice and the schedule,
and thereby get the most out of the course.
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Summer Mahasi Retreat
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Assistant Needed
Eleven week roll-on, roll-off Retreat.
Minimum stay eight nights.
Start dates: Saturdays:-
29 June & 13 & 27 July; 10 & 24 Aug. 07 Sept.
Finishing Sun. 15 Sept
Celebration Sat 14. See below
N.B. Start restricted to listed Saturdays.
Alternate Sun. possible for Mahasi devotees.
A challenging Retreat easily modified for beginners.
See Beginner’s Testimonials on website.
You are encouraged to stay for more than one week.
Assistants : Needed
29 June – 13 July : Needed
13 July – 27 July : Assistant : Needed
27 July – 10 August : Assistant : Needed
10 – 24 August: Assistant : Needed
24 August – 31 August: Assistant : Needed
31 August – 14 September: Assistant : Needed
Sangha Day : Twelth Anniversary
Saturday 14 September
Assistant Needed
Please bring veggie food to share for
communal lunch at noon.
Ceremony starts 13.30
Talk: To be announced.
Weekend Mahasi Retreat
Carl Fooks
Fri 20. – Sun. 22 September
The Mahasi system can feel challenging, and its emphasis on moment-to-moment mindfulness can prove to feel
particularly difficult. Carl teaches a gentle approach to the practice encouraging a skilful and effective orientation
that helps practitioners to commit themselves fully to the practice and the schedule,
and thereby get the most out of the course.
Assistant Needed
See usual weekend Schedules
Day Retreat
Jenny Birkett
Saturday 26 October
Local Assistant Needed
Kick Start/Top
Arrive 09.30. Finish 17.00
Please bring veggie food to share.
Mahasi Monthlong Retreat
Noirin Sheahan
Start dates Sat 2, Sun 10, Sat 16 Nov.
Sun 24th possible for Mahasi devotees
Ends Sat am 30 Nov.
Assistants: Needed
Vipassana means “Seeing clearly”.
When we see the world as it really is, we will be free from the distress that comes from identifying with a limited view of who and what we are.
During the retreat, we relax from all our usual busyness to give our full attention to present experience.
We learn to see the world more clearly, and to disentangle the knots of confusion that bind us to emotional turmoil.
At precious moments, the heart opens and we may sense what it means to be free.
Assistant Nov.Sat.02 - Sat. 16 : Needed
Assistant Nov.Sat.16 - Sat. 30 : Needed
The usual schedule and format, easily modified for beginners.
Day Retreat
Saturday 04 Jan 2020
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Local Assistant Needed
Kick Start/Top
Arrive 09.30. Finish 17.00
Please bring veggie food to share.
Tip - New Year Resolution.
Resolve is one of the ten ‘paramis’ – the character traits we need to develop as we forge our way towards the end of suffering. It’s the first component of ‘Right Effort’ in the Eightfold Path. Out of the multiple possibilities that are open to us for the coming year, we narrow our sights and focus on one or two that will nudge us towards the end of suffering.
Could your nice clean diary suggest time for Dhamma study? E.g. as you travel on public transport, could you read a Dhamma book during the journey? Or listen to a talk from the Satipanya website https://www.satipanya.org.uk/audio-video/ or from Dhammaseed https://dharmaseed.org/talks/? If you regularly make retreats at Satipanya, why not block off time in May / June or in October / November to join our 2019 on-line ‘Right Lifestyle’ course?
Speaking of retreats, why not set aside a week (or more) for retreat during 2019? It’s always good to do this well in advance and draw a big red line through those pages of the diary so you can clearly say ‘No’ when people ask you to do something during that week.
What this tip suggests, basically, is that we use our nice new diaries as exercise books for the ‘Parami’ of Resolve. Let’s write in something that will give priority to our spiritual aspirations. Otherwise the diary will soon be filled with the never-ending demands of everyday life and we will end 2019 as stressed and confused as we started off!
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Many thanks.
Finally, please forward this email if you know someone who may be interested. Thanks.
Onward
Bodhidhamma
SATIPANYA BUDDHIST TRUST
www.satipanya.org.uk
Directors - Jim Tibby Richard Benjamin Maureen Tibby Mike Regan
Limited Company Number 05924965 Registered Charity Number 1116668
Satipanya, White Grit, Minsterley, Shropshire SY5 0JN
T: 0044 (0)1588 650752
info: info@satipanya.org.uk
