Leeds Zen Peacemaker Circle, Sat 14th March 2009
This is a rough report of the basic outlines of what we discussed and what we would like our next steps to be at the next meeting.
We met at Anna's. Many thanks for her kind hospitality and lovely coffee and herbal teas and fruits and nuts.
We first of all had a quick check in.
We then had a discussion on whether we should have set practises or not looking at the advantages and disadvantages of this or a more spontaneous approach. I won't give an account of the discussion because I haven't checked whether this is ok or not but we decided that at the end of each circle we would decide what practise we would do next time around and we decided this time that Anna would lead a "mystery" meditation ! I think we also decided that we'd do nembutsu at the next circle too (I could be wrong about that but I hope we do !)
We then had a discussion around the subject of "intention" (again I won't go into the discussion) and we decided at the next circle we'd like to watch "The Secret" DVD so we could look further into different ideas and views around "intention". We decided we would remember each circle member in this week's meditation and our intention would be to send good wishes to each person (and include Zang too please) and see if this affected our week in any way. We also decided to ring each other more and stop being anti-social (especially me !)
We then looked at different types of circle (re: Barbara's handouts) and decided we'd like to look at the dream circle in future.
We want regular meetings. I have talked to Phillippa and one Saturday a month is cool for me to come guys but I'm wondering if we could have a saturday say a fortnight after so Phillippa can come ? I've also asked Zang when he can come and I'm seeing him next weekend - he's coming to Leeds. Maybe he's up for seeing Kim, Anna and Phillippa too ?He's giving a talk at a Quaker conference (I hope I got that right).
We discussed then whether we wanted open circles - open to the public or people we know and feel would benefit as well as enrich our circle - or whether we wanted them closed.We decided we'd like to invite people we think would benefit. Anna is to approach a friend.
We also discussed the idea of whether or not we wanted to do public Zen peacemaker meditation classes and the idea isn't yet a reality but people might be interested in the future. I'm going to investigate community centres but I'm not in a rush. I have alot on.
I asked Anna and Kim if they wanted to support a multi-cultural music initiative and they might be interested ? I think since I raised this that I want to go ahead but under the "Mythos" banner as that has a history of people attending. My idea now is to invite speakers in the afternoon from interfaith, faith groups on the theme of "spirituality and community " I'd like to speak on the Zen peacemaker vision and draw inspiration from FWBO community/society teachings. In the evening I'd like music from a sikh sitar and female vocalist group, the Irish group Ylem and the Georgian choir (and I might invite Rockadile for a laugh ! The presence of fool energy might be required too ! )
I hope this summarises everything ! If I've forgotten anything please could you let me know ?
And I hope everyone is well and happy and inspired ! Or creative amidst pain ! I'm more the latter !
Love
Suleyman/Shinchi Daishin/Steve
We met at Anna's. Many thanks for her kind hospitality and lovely coffee and herbal teas and fruits and nuts.
We first of all had a quick check in.
We then had a discussion on whether we should have set practises or not looking at the advantages and disadvantages of this or a more spontaneous approach. I won't give an account of the discussion because I haven't checked whether this is ok or not but we decided that at the end of each circle we would decide what practise we would do next time around and we decided this time that Anna would lead a "mystery" meditation ! I think we also decided that we'd do nembutsu at the next circle too (I could be wrong about that but I hope we do !)
We then had a discussion around the subject of "intention" (again I won't go into the discussion) and we decided at the next circle we'd like to watch "The Secret" DVD so we could look further into different ideas and views around "intention". We decided we would remember each circle member in this week's meditation and our intention would be to send good wishes to each person (and include Zang too please) and see if this affected our week in any way. We also decided to ring each other more and stop being anti-social (especially me !)
We then looked at different types of circle (re: Barbara's handouts) and decided we'd like to look at the dream circle in future.
We want regular meetings. I have talked to Phillippa and one Saturday a month is cool for me to come guys but I'm wondering if we could have a saturday say a fortnight after so Phillippa can come ? I've also asked Zang when he can come and I'm seeing him next weekend - he's coming to Leeds. Maybe he's up for seeing Kim, Anna and Phillippa too ?He's giving a talk at a Quaker conference (I hope I got that right).
We discussed then whether we wanted open circles - open to the public or people we know and feel would benefit as well as enrich our circle - or whether we wanted them closed.We decided we'd like to invite people we think would benefit. Anna is to approach a friend.
We also discussed the idea of whether or not we wanted to do public Zen peacemaker meditation classes and the idea isn't yet a reality but people might be interested in the future. I'm going to investigate community centres but I'm not in a rush. I have alot on.
I asked Anna and Kim if they wanted to support a multi-cultural music initiative and they might be interested ? I think since I raised this that I want to go ahead but under the "Mythos" banner as that has a history of people attending. My idea now is to invite speakers in the afternoon from interfaith, faith groups on the theme of "spirituality and community " I'd like to speak on the Zen peacemaker vision and draw inspiration from FWBO community/society teachings. In the evening I'd like music from a sikh sitar and female vocalist group, the Irish group Ylem and the Georgian choir (and I might invite Rockadile for a laugh ! The presence of fool energy might be required too ! )
I hope this summarises everything ! If I've forgotten anything please could you let me know ?
And I hope everyone is well and happy and inspired ! Or creative amidst pain ! I'm more the latter !
Love
Suleyman/Shinchi Daishin/Steve
Comments