Dear Friends:

The North Shore Mindfulness Sangha has practiced mindfulness and meditation in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh for over 20 years. However, all is impermanent, and the days of the North Shore Mindfulness Sangha are naturally drawing to a close. Five years ago, when our last Order of Interbeing leaders moved away, four Sangha participants took on the challenge of facilitating meetings, despite our lack of experience. It has truly been an honour and inspiration for each of us to lead weekly meditation practices. A highlight was when we held a wonderful Day of Mindfulness in June 2019, graced by the presence of two Dharma teachers.  We are also grateful to have been meeting online since the spring of 2020. Now, we four volunteers believe we have reached the limit of our capabilities to nourish and expand the NSM Sangha. Fortunately, other Sanghas meet locally, where we might deepen our practice.

Please join our final walking meditation on Tuesday, September 6, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at Memorial Park in West Vancouver. Memorial Park is located at 1950 Marine Drive, across from the Memorial Library. Our gathering will start and end at the cenotaph. Rain or shine, we will walk peacefully together along the gentle trails next to MacDonald Creek. Then the NSM Sangha will not meet again, either in person or online.

We are grateful for the loving presence and contributions of many friends over the years. May your practice continue to bloom in another Sangha garden. Please consider joining the following local communities who practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh:

Waves and Water Sangha Vancouver
http://wavesandwater.org/

Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver
http://mindfulnessvancouver.org/

Warmly,

North Shore Mindfulness

Dear Friends,

Before the North Shore Mindfulness Sangha breaks for July and August, let us pause and reflect on our inspirational guide, Thich Nhat Hanh, who passed away at age 95 on January 22, 2022.  His spirit and teachings continue on. We have been very fortunate to have Thich Nhat Hanh quietly and practically lead us for most of his life.

In The Way Out Is In podcast, Meditation on Grief, May 17, 2022, Brother Phap Huu beautifully said, “We have to allow ourselves to be sad, we have to allow ourselves to feel the grief, because in grief, it also expresses what that person meant to us.” 

“Even though our loved ones may not still be here, through the eye of meditation, we can see them through the new form, by the way they have impacted us – and the experience that they have offered us is now them, in another form, through us.” As Thay explained, “A cloud never dies.”

Listening to the podcasts from The Way Out Is In may help guide you through the summer months.

I asked the leaf whether it was frightened because it was autumn and the other leaves were falling. The leaf told me, “No.  During the whole spring and summer I was completely alive. I worked hard to help nourish the tree, and now much of me is in the tree. I am not limited by this form. I am also the whole tree, and when I go back to the soil, I will continue to nourish the tree. So I don’t worry at all. As I leave this branch and float to the ground, I will wave to the tree and tell her, ‘I will see you again very soon.”

 ~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

Please join us for three practices in June. We will reconvene in September, either on Zoom, in person, or a combination of the two.

Online Zoom Schedule:  Tuesday 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

June 7          Five Mindfulness Training Recitation – We will finish reading from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Mindfulness teachings from Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet.

   June 14         Tea Ceremony –  Bring your cup of tea 

   June 21          Dharma Reading –  Enjoy learning together

ZOOM LINK:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84872205119?pwd=dDhXczlISi9UcS9xZVR0emJzUDlvdz09

If you are new to our Sangha, please send an email to nsmindfulness@gmail.com  so we can introduce ourselves first.

Warmly,

North Shore Mindfulness

Dear Friends:

Despite a very cold and oftimes wet April, nature continues to remind us of renewal with our landscape painted with magnificent bursts of colour in the shrubs and flowers.  A walk presents an ideal time to practice meditation and mindfulness.  “Look around and see how vast life is, the trees, the white clouds, the limitless sky.  Listen to the birds.  Feel the fresh breeze. Life is all around and we are alive and healthy and capable of walking in peace.

Do join us for our weekly Tuesday practice which includes sitting and walking meditation and dharma sharing.

Online Zoom Schedule:  Tuesday 7:00PM – 8:30 PM

May 3              Five Mindfulness Trainings Recitation.  To participate, see https://northshoremindfulness.com/practice

May  10           Tea Ceremony – Bring your cup of tea 

May 17             Dharma Reading –  Enjoy learning together
May 24             Deep Relaxation – Prepare a comfortable place to rest
May 31             A special practice

ZOOM LINK:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84872205119?pwd=dDhXczlISi9UcS9xZVR0emJzUDlvdz09

If you are new to our Sangha, please send an email to nsmindfulness@gmail.com before you join our meeting, so that we can introduce ourselves.

Warmly

North Shore Mindfulness

Dear Friends

Although we have cares, joy and hope are abundantly available in this new season. Thich Nhat Hahn invites us to recite these lines each day when we wake up:

Waking up this morning, I smile
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me
I vow to live each moment deeply
And to look at all beings with eyes of compassion

Please join our Sangha as we continue to meet online for another month of Tuesdays. Our weekly practice includes sitting meditation, walking meditation and dharma sharing. Also, we offer additional practices as follows:

Online Zoom Schedule:  Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:30 pm

April 5  —  Five Mindfulness Trainings Recitation – To participate, see https://northshoremindfulness.com/practice

April 12  —  Tea Ceremony — Bring your cup of tea

April 19 — Dharma Reading – Enjoy our learning together

April 26 — Deep Relaxation — Prepare a comfortable place to rest

ZOOM LINK:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84872205119?pwd=dDhXczlISi9UcS9xZVR0emJzUDlvdz09

If you are new to our Sangha, please send an email to nsmindfulness@gmail.com before you join our meeting, so that we may introduce ourselves.  

Warmly,

North Shore Mindfulness

Dear Friends:

At the event hosted by the three Vancouver sanghas last night, insightful discussions of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s new book, Zen and The Art of Saving the Planet, were had by all.  The gathering provided a wonderful opportunity to be together with many practitioners in the Plum Village tradition.

Our first practice for this month, recitation of the Five Mindfulness Trainings, will be based on guidance from Zen and The Art of Saving the Planet. Let us carry on watering the seeds of compassion and joy … the spirit of Thich Nhat Hanh continues on.  

Online Zoom Schedule:  Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:30 pm

March 1  —  Five Mindfulness Trainings  

March 8  —  Tea Ceremony — Prepare tea ahead of time

March 15 — Dharma Reading

March 22 — Deep Relaxation — Prepare a comfortable place to rest

March 29  – Peace in Oneself, Peace in the World – A Special Practice 

ZOOM LINK:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84872205119?pwd=dDhXczlISi9UcS9xZVR0emJzUDlvdz09

Except for Deep Relaxation, after each weekly practice feel free to stay for an informal chat.  If you are new to the NSM Sangha and wish to practice with us, please send an email to nsmindfulness@gmail.com so that we can introduce ourselves to each other.

Warmly,

North Shore Mindfulness

Dear Friends:

On Sunday evening, February 27, three Vancouver Sanghas will gather for meditation, a panel presentation, and group discussions of Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. This recent book presents Thay’s teachings on deep ecology, including delightful commentaries by Sister True Dedication. It would be wonderful if you have a chance to read the book in advance – but please do not let that stop you from attending. There will be lots to think about based on the panel presentations and sharing.

Our gathering is co-hosted by the Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver, North Shore Mindfulness Sangha, and Waves and Water Sangha. See the Zoom link below.

6:30 – 7:00 PM Meditation:
To join the meditation, the Zoom room will open at 6:20. At 6:30 we will begin silent meditation. 

7:00 – 8:30 PM Book Group:
To join the book group only, there will be a second Zoom room opening at 6:55. If you have not attended the meditation, you may enter then. Please enter with your audio off and video on! 

Three Sangha members will offer presentations highlighting their personal experiences of this refreshing and inspiring book. Next, join a small break out room for a dharma group style discussion, followed by a whole group discussion about our questions and insights. Your presence will be valuable and welcome.

The Zoom link is  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81134301915
(Passcode: 649338)

We look forward to practicing with you soon!

Dear Friends:
Winter is gradually losing its hold as the morning light arrives earlier, the daylight stays longer,  the snowdrops are beginning to show their heads, and the forsythia buds are forming. Yet there is a difference from last year as we move ahead without our dear teacher Thich Nhat Hahn in our physical presence.  However, he has asked not to be remembered by a stupa (shrine for his remains), but rather by paying attention to our breathing and walking – here is where we can see him.  What a magnificent legacy he has left us.  

On Sunday, February 27, we will honour Thay with a special event co-hosted by three local Sanghas: North Shore Mindfulness, Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver, and Waves and Water. Our topic is Thay’s newest book: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. Please plan to join us, whether or not you have a chance to read the book. Further details about the time and agenda will be posted closer to the date.

Online Zoom Schedule:  Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Feb 1  —  Five Mindfulness Trainings — To participate in the recitation, the five mindfulness trainings can be found at:  https://northshoremindfulness.com/practice
Feb 8  —  Tea Ceremony — Prepare tea ahead of time and bring in a thermal mug, ready to drink or pour into a cup.

Feb 15 — Dharma reading.

Feb 28 — Deep relaxation — Prepare a comfortable place to rest.

ZOOM LINK:  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84872205119?pwd=dDhXczlISi9UcS9xZVR0emJzUDlvdz09

After each weekly practice except Deep Relaxtion, feel free to stay for an informal chat over tea.  If you are new to the NSM Sangha and wish to practice with us, please send an email to nsmindfulness@gmail.com so that we can introduce ourselves.

Warmly,

North Shore Mindfulness

The International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism announces that our beloved teacher Thich Nhat Hanh has passed away peacefully at Từ Hiếu Temple in Huế, Vietnam on 22nd January, 2022, at the age of 95.

We invite our global spiritual family to take a few moments to be still, to come back to our mindful breathing, as we together hold Thay in our hearts in peace and loving gratitude for all he has offered the world.

Dear Friends:

The above announcement is found at www.plumvillage.org. You are invited to view beautiful ceremonies, listed on this Plum Village website, that are being held around the world in Thay’s honour.

Please join our Sangha gathering this Tuesday evening, January 25, when Janice and Bob Walker will help us honour our inspiring and beloved teacher. Janice also invites us to view the following brief talk by a senior monastic: vimeo.com/460722803 . Brother Pháp Ứng guides us to calm our minds and connect deeply with Thầy in us and in the whole Sangha.

Warmly,

North Shore Mindfulness

Happy New Year Dear Friends
Did you notice joyful moments during the holiday season?  

Today is a very different world than two years ago.  As one meditation teacher said, “People may view mindfulness, personal, internal connection practices as a ‘luxury,’ but now we know them to be a necessity.”  Life challenges are part of our lives, but how we face them is how we live.  Since challenges are not going to disappear, our mindfulness practice shouldn’t either.

Online Zoom Schedule for January 2022:  Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Jan 4 –   Five Mindfulness Trainings.  To participate in the recitation, have a copy of the 5 Mindfulness Trainings on hand and this can be found at: https://northshoremindfulness.com/practice
Jan 11 – Tea – Prepare tea ahead of time. You could bring your tea in a travel thermal mug, ready to drink or pour into a cup.
Jan 18 – Darma Reading 
Jan 25 – Deep Relaxation – Prepare a comfortable place to rest.

ZOOM LINK:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84872205119?pwd=dDhXczlISi9UcS9xZVR0emJzUDlvdz09

Except for Deep Relaxation, after each weekly practice feel free to stay for an informal chat over tea.  If you are new to the NSM Sangha and wish to practice with us, please send an email to nsmindfulness@gmail.com so that we can introduce ourselves.

Warmly,

North Shore Mindfulness 

Dear Friends:

2021 is drawing to a close. The state of Mother Earth is much on our minds. Here in British Columbia, we see how weather extremes cause destruction and suffering for the earth, people and animals. The publication of Thich Nhat Hahn’s book, Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, is very timely. Please mark your calendars to join us for a multi Sangha Zoom gathering on the evening of February 27 to talk about the teachings in Thay’s book. Further details will be coming.

Online Zoom Schedule: Tuesdays at 7:00PM

December 7 – Five Mindfulness Trainings – To participate in the recitation, please see the trainings at www.northshoremindfulness.com/practice

December 14 – Deep Relaxation – Please prepare a comfortable place to rest.

ZOOM LINK:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84872205119?pwd=dDhXczlISi9UcS9xZVR0emJzUDlvdz09

Our gatherings will resume in January on Zoom, until the community centre reopens for evening events. If you are new to the NSM Sangha, or returning after a long absence, please drop us an email at nsmindfulness@gmail.com so that we can introduce ourselves.

Warmly,

North Shore Mindfulness