May Newsbyte

Online Meditation Hall: *Recently an Online Meditation Hall was created
using Zoom in response to Noirin's online Easter Mahasi retreat. It serves
as a space where Meditators can sit together, according to their varying
schedules and circumstances, so as to increase that sense of Sangha support
throughout the day. It is now being offered to the wider Satipanya mailing
list for those who feel that they would benefit from the feeling of sitting
together in this way. The schedule is as follows:

6am (BST) - 50 minute sit, followed by (optional) Morning Chant with
Refuges and Precepts
9am (BST) - 1 hr sit
11am (BST) - 1 hr sit
2pm (BST) - 1 hr sit
4pm (BST) - 1 hr sit
6pm (BST) - 1 hr sit

[An 8pm sitting may be added at a later date]

The suggestion is that people try and join 1 or 2 minutes before the
scheduled start and decide who will take responsibilty for the bell. And
then everyone else can go on 'mute', so that there isn't too much noise
interference generated. After the 1hr there is also a short opportunity to
say hello and perhaps share experiences, if people so wish. It's a work in
progress. However, the overall intention is to develop the support of the
sangha, particularly during this time.

Hopefully, there will not be any security issues (ie the infamous
'Zoombombing'!), as a Waiting Room to counteract that has not been set up,
since there is no practical way of managing that. It should be fine though, as
long as the link isn't shared publicly eg on Facebook.

However, as an extra measure, to access please email the organiser, Mark
Arthur, on  markarfa@gmail.com  , so that he can then send out the Zoom
Meeting details. In addition, he is happy to address any technical
difficulties and any other issues that may arise.

Meditation in Daily Life (On-line course):   Open to all who’ve attended or booked a retreat at Satipanya, this year’s course looks at the third foundation for mindfulness - contemplation of mind.  The seven-week course starts in May and uses a private forum on the Satipanya website. Each week Noirin sends a few pages of Dhamma notes and some suggested exercises. People can then post reflections / comments / questions on the forum.  The course helps sustain practice outside of retreat. It’s also a chance to maintain contact with the Satipanya sangha and help one another apply the teachings in daily life.  For further information or to register email    noirinsheahan@gmail.com . 

London and South East Satipanya Sangha: Before the coronavirus lockdown, Carl and Satipanya regular Animesh were in the process of setting up a local Sangha for London and the South East. Location, frequency, and format are still undecided, and will depend on the input of the early members. A first meeting was scheduled for the 15th March, but didn't happen for obvious reasons. If this sounds of interest—once the lockdown is lifted—please email satipanya-lse@genko.co.uk for more information.

Insight Timer: 'Satipanya Mahasi Devotees' group set up on the Insight Timer app by Mark Arthur

Access website https://insighttimer.com/ for relevant App Store or Google Play link. Search for 'Satipanya Mahasi Devotees' within the 'groups' section on the app's front page and then request an invite from us.

At present the group settings are ‘private’ and access is available only for members who have sat on a retreat at Satipanya so we will therefore message you to check your credentials before approving your request. If you have any problems with the technology etc by all means email Mark on markarfa@gmail.com and he will be happy to assist.

Encouragements to Awakening on Retreat and Encouragements to Awakening in Daily Life: The paper backs are available on Amazon . But you can download  PDF, Mobi for Kindle and ePub versions for all other readers from the website .

Warning re Coronavirus: We would prefer you to cancel your retreat or visit should you show any signs of illness.

We would ask anyone who as any sign of fever, tiredness, cough, or breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, should cancel their proposed visit.

Vipassana as taught by the Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma

The Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma, one of the most influential vipassana insight meditation teachers of the last century, developed techniques to help us maintain moment to moment mindfulness from the instant we awake to the instant we fall asleep.

This leads not only to spiritual insights into our true, unborn-undying essence, but also, equally important, to the purification of the heart. So that we not only become wiser but more caring, generous, joyous and compassionate.

Applying the techniques on this retreat we follow a robust schedule, but meditators can modulate their practice to fit their level of experience, even absolute beginners. The accent is on relaxation and curiosity, rather than striving and concentration. And regular teacher contact, daily Q&A and personal interviews ensures students are supported throughout.

The retreat ends with advice on how to bring the practice into ordinary daily life to enhance our relationships and give spiritual meaning to our work and everyday tasks.

Assistants Needed

N.B. All the courses are serviced by assistants.

See calendar on website for up-to-date assistant need.

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 (PDF).

As an assistant, we do not expect payment of the deposit or make 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 you are needed .