This blog will be a combination of dharma writings and creative works that come from practice, mine and yours. I will post images, writing, audio, and other endeavors that evolve from reflective meditation. This gentle, thoughtful, open orientation allows us to receive all kinds of unknown creative seeds in meditation, and then discover choices on how to be with, tame, sustain, encourage and enhance those seeds, both in the meditation sitting, and upon reflection and sharing with others. Following an innovative and friendly path combines our current intentions and understanding, and brings kind and caring attention into this very world we live in now.
Please contact me if you would like to contribute something to this blog. Tell us your process of how it came to be, and what it means to you. A committee of reflective meditation teachers will offer friendly consideration for your contribution and will help determine when it will be posted.
With so many in person meditation events cancelling, I would like to invite you to attend a online retreat with us. We have been offering online events for many years so it is an easy transition to offer this for the reflective meditation communities. The retreat will be a very ‘light’ schedule and will offer daily talks, chances to reflect upon your experience in meditation, and evening conversations. No need to attend every session. RSVP to me
March 17, 2020
From Sati Sangha and Pine Street Sangha
We don’t know how long this period of social distancing will last: these times are stressful and fear can easily consume us. Nelly Kaufer and I would like to share our reflective meditation practice with you as a refuge and a time for daily connection. We’re offering an open meditation group to both our communities. If you don’t have a meditation practice, this might be an ideal time to give it a try. If you
Gerry Ritchie, from the Coast and City Sangha in Adelaide Australia, has offered to organize an online book study in March for Sati Sangha. “The Five Invitations” by Frank Ostaseski. Frank Ostaseski, a Buddhist teacher, was a co-founder of the Zen Hospice project in San Francisco. He has sat at the bedsides of many thousands of dying people and met them “where they’re at”. Frank had a stroke in July, followed by a series of mini-strokes. https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/frankostaseski2019 It is envisaged to discuss one chapter per session. There
March 7, 2020
From Sati Sangha and Pine Street Sangha
The Coronavirus reveals just how uncertain things can become. Health news changes daily, hourly. New cases are being diagnosed. New routes of transmission are being considered. This is destabilizing and scary. Even in times like this, we are careful about what we suggest to our sanghas because we know one suggestion will not work for everyone. Right now we suggest finding some stable ground, comfort, reassurance within. Finding stability in uncertainty can be helpful, especially if you are
February 1, 2020
Is Reflective Meditation Secular?
Reflective Meditation has a chameleon quality. It takes on the values and conditions of the person who practices it. Same with the teachers. So why do I consider Reflective Meditation a non-traditional, secular, ethical approach to practice? Likely because that is how I feel most comfortable teaching the dharma these days. Below is an excerpt and link to an article for your reflection, with some minor rearranging from me. Winton Higgins offered this dharma talk in New
January 1, 2020
Transitioning from 2019 to 2020
Sati Sangha, myself and so many others in our sangha, are deeply affected by the global climate crisis and fires in Australia. In November 2019 we shared dharma retreats, workshops, and conversations with dear friends in the Byron Bay area, at Melbourne Meditation Center and on retreat with Open Ground. Bill Wellhouse’s photos capture many aspects of Oz and how interconnected we are with the external world. See more of Bills’ images here.
November 20, 2019
Gratitude for an ancient tradition in modern times
If you think you know what the term secular means, you might want to re-visit what you know. My interactions with the following individuals and organizations over the past two years have deepened my personal understanding, and have influenced our direction as a non-profit organization. I pass them along to you as a way of “paying it forward.” –Linda -GRANT: Hemera Foundation Sati Sangha is a “Healthy Buddhist Communities” grant recipient from the Hemera Foundation. In 2020, we will design three
October 23, 2019
In the spirit of “informed consent”
In the spirit of “informed consent” we attempt to speak clearly about what we are doing, how we are teaching, how that connects with the Dharma and our history, and how it facilitates the meditative process. Almost everything that has changed in how we have developed and teach Reflective Meditation over the past several years, arises from our experience reclaiming our practice and moving forward from a deeply painful split in our community. Like many
September 24, 2019
Creativity in Meditation Practice
https://satisangha.org/wp-content/uploads/2019-09-07-Taos-1-Morning-Creativity-Definition-Nelly-and-Linda.mp3