Snow Shoveling Sangha!

Four mountain gals showed up for LTMC this week but The Studio parking lot was a no-go as we had received another dumping the eve before. No problem, we've got this! The winter has prepared us well. So, LTMC squeezed into our breakfast location across the street (where we go after our Wednesday sits, yum:). Thank you Getaway Cafe for saving the day! Within moments of wading through the snowy goodness and up into our home temple, the plow guy came--our hero! Beautiful practice to sit in meditation and send Metta to that sweet savior clearing our way.

During community discussion, the theme of managing strong emotions came up and one of us shared an inspiring success of mindfully calming herself before addressing an individual who did serious damage to property and to her art. We were reminded of Thich Nhat Hanh's wisdom, which was skillfully practiced in her volatile situation:

Below was an excerpt read in our current book: The Mindfulness Survival Kit regarding applying the ethics of Mindful Living:

1. We learn how to be relaxed and release tension in ourselves.
2. We learn how to breathe and calm ourselves when we have strong emotions.
3. We learn how to keep communication open with relatives and friends and how to restore communication when it has broken down.
4. We learn ways of looking deeply in order to realize interbeing and no-self and to overcome fear.

In the wise words of one LTMC member, "It's a practice!" Heck yah, but, we've got this, our winters have prepared us well. Have a joyful week "being" snow angels and the like....

"May all beings be happy,
may we be healthy and strong,
safe and protected,
free from inner and outer harm.
May we live in the world with ease and grace."*


* LTMC dedication, inspired by the Metta Sutra and written by Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

~~Readings for the week of February 26: The Mindfulness Survival Kit p. 186-203