Interfaith Peacemaking in Leeds

 

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From the Peacemaker Circle in Leeds, this update from Steve Hart:

We have an excellent harmonious on-line Peacemaker circle including Jeana, Chris and myself - all with a long history of training in various Peacemaker , sufi and Buddhist training. We have re-trained in the five Buddha family drawing on Peacemaker sources, various five wisdom resources and Tibetan Buddhism/Shaivite elemental dakini traditions. We have explored inter-religious training particularly looking at the life of Sheikh Nur / Lex Hixon and Jeana has shared some of her time with him and Sheikha Fariha of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi sufi lineage.
 
In Leeds, UK we have an in person Peacemaker Circle  which is well represented of the Afro Caribean and asian communities and we are currently training in the five Buddha mandala and exploring the three tenets in reflective zazen. We have also incorporated Jeana's trainings in guidelines for effective council circle and circle practise. One of our members moved to Devon in the south of the UK but stays in touch with Steve and is training in the five Buddhas.
 
Our sister Sufi lineage now meets on on-line with participants from different parts of the world but there are plans to organise an in person retreat in Leeds in the spring with contributions from Sahil, Patrice, Firdaws, Steve and anyone else who wishes to sing ilahis, share perspective and orientation, chant zhikir, do salat , salawat and readings. 
 
Steve is currently running 2 meditation access circles in an ancient Cistercian monastery Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds and in the Insight for Wellbeing Meditation Room also in Leeds. At present he is emphasising breath anchor, self-nurturing, self compassion, bodyscan and heartwish and loving kindness practises. At present Steve's inter-religious training leads him to privately (and with friends in different traditions) to study in a cycle of Buddha Nature tradition, Sufism, Bhakti yoga, and positive emotion enhancement. In the meditation circles we are being reminded of basic sanity in a time when it is so badly needed. We send our love to all those who are suffering in world conflicts. Peacemaker circles and other circles emphasising growth are so badly needed at this time. 


Comments

Unknown said…
I forgot to add that Chris and myself have been discussing the teachings of various traditions saying that the buddhas, bodhisattvas, hasidic and sufi masters, prophets and dharma protectors and yogis "hold" the world together through their samadhi/stations/insight/absorptions. Please invoke and join them and ask for our saha world to be protected and radiate love towards those in conflict and those who are suffering.
Many thanks and blessings, Steve Hart

March 6, 2022 at 1:43 PM
Unknown said…
A prominent western buddhist teacher Sangharakshita once pondered that perhaps nuclear war has been averted through the presence of the dharma protectors - we could invoke these too and try and align with that protection.
March 7, 2022 at 3:21 AM
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