Thich Minh Thien's Column
 
The Fifth Mindfulness Training - Nourishment and Healing
This month, we complete the Mindfulness Trainings that I have been sharing from an article by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh.  These Five Mindfulness Trainings are his re-formulation of some of the Buddha's core teachings.  This month's topic is on what Thich Nhat Hanh describes as the fifth training; namely, "Nourishment and Healing".  Thich Nhat Hanh describes it this way: "Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family ad my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming".
This training encourages us to practice looking deeply into how we consume what the Buddha termed, the Four Kinds of Nutriments; namely, edible foods, sensory impressions, volition and consciousness.  This includes refraining from using things like alcohol or any other intoxicants or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins.  We may not think about toxins in terms of TV programs, magazines, books, films, conversations, social media and the like however when we do damage to the body or one's consciousness with these toxins it could be said that we betray our ancestors, parents, society and future generations.  If we think just in dietary terms, putting the wrong types of food in our body, or not getting the proper nutrition, will cause our body to cease functioning as it was designed to do.  In the same way, if we feed our minds and experiences with negativity, anger, lewdness, doubt and worry, our Buddha natures will also suffer and not support our path to enlightenment and our suffering continues as well.
The question often arises about the consumption of alcoholic beverages in moderation such as a glass of wine with a meal.  Thich Nhat Hanh offers that if you are going to occasionally have an alcoholic refreshment, do so mindfully.  He suggests looking deeply into the conditions of your liver, your heart, and the fact that humankind is wasting a lot of grain and fruit making alcohol instead of feeding other humans.  He suggests that meditating in this way will lead us to feeling uncomfortable when drinking any amount of alcohol.  And of course, that same thinking can be applied to all toxins like those that were previously mentioned.  If things like social media, TV, book, films, conversations, etc. are also proving toxic in our lives, we can, by seeing them in a mindful way and meditating on the suffering that they cause, come to terms with a better way of living; a more healthful form of nourishment that will lead to healing not only our bodies but our minds as well.  
And so this Fifth Mindfulness Training, "Nourishment and Healing", moves us to practice coming back to the present moment to be in touch with the refreshing, healing and nourishing elements in ourselves and around us.  It moves us to not let regrets and sorrow drag us back into the past nor letting anxieties, fear or craving pull us out of the present moment.  Let us be determined not to try to cover up loneliness, anxiety or other suffering by losing ourselves in toxic consumptions.  Let us instead be mindful of our interbeing and consume in a way that preserves peace, joy and well-being in both our body and consciousness, and the consciousness of our families, our society and the Earth.
May All Be Well....May All Be Happy....May All Know Love....May All Know Peace.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
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Spiritually based healings starting on Tuesdays in March
A dear friend, Sylver, will be starting a new program at the Abbey. He will be here once a week to help with Spiritually Based Healing.
He is a retired Chiropractor who has been on a journey of spirit and awareness for some time and is willing to share his healing energy with others.
He is doing this by donation (suggested minimum is $20.00) and will be at the Abbey on Tuesdays from 10am - 2 pm. You can set up an appointment with him at 352.284.9588.
He has been helping Kozen recover from his knee surgery.
"Sylver's work is kind and loving, he has helped me a lot". Kozen
If you have chronic or acute physical problems, give Sylver a call and see if there are perhaps some psychological or spiritual components that he can help with.
  Reverend Lois Van Leer
Lois is a Unitarian Universalist minister who spent 1 month here on retreat.  She attended meditation and metta practices as well as helping with daily activities here at the Abbey.  She was a joy to get to know and we will miss her when she leaves.  Her church is the Unitarian Universalist Church in Woodinville, Washington (near Seattle).
Gatha Practice
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By using simple little statements (Gathas) we can become mindful - in this moment - of even the simplest activity or actions of daily living.  Below are a small selection of gathas - try selecting just 3 and then say them prior to an activity. If you do this for 30 days you will find a surprising amount of awareness in just simple actions.

Dwelling in the present moment, we can see so many beauties and wonders right before our eyes - a child's smile, the sun rising, the autumn leaves. We can be happy just by being aware of what is in front of us. Practicing with a gatha can help us return to ourselves and to what is going on in the present moment. It is helpful to memorize these gathas, a few at first, and more as you go on with the practice. As you silently recite the first line, breathe in; and as you silently recite the second line, breathe out. When the gatha is finished, continue your activity, and you will find that your mindfulness has increased. When we drive, road signs help us find our way. We "see" the last sign until the next one appears. Practicing with gathas is the same. When we practice well, the gathas are with us continuously, and we live our whole day in awareness .    Thich Nhat Hanh.
Body Functions
Waking Up
Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at beings with eyes of compassion.
Turning On The Water
Water comes from high mountain sources. Water runs deep in the Earth. Miraculously, water comes to us and sustains all life. My gratitude is filled to the brim.
Washing Your Hands
Water flows over these hands. May I use them skillfully to preserve our precious planet.
Meditation
Sitting Down
Sitting here is like sitting under a Bodhi tree. My body is mindfulness itself, free from all distraction.
Calming The Breath
Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment!
Adjusting Posture
Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

Daily Activities
Informal Meal Prayer
 
Beings both great and small have worked hard to bring us this meal. May we be truly grateful. From our actions here today may we work towards the cessation of suffering for all beings.
 
Holding the Empty Bowl
Looking at this bowl, I see how fortunate I am to have enough to eat to continue the practice.
Looking at Your Plate or Bowl after Eating
The meal is finished, and I am satisfied. The four gratitudes are deeply in my mind.
Turning On The Computer
Turning on the computer, my mind gets in touch with the internet. I vow to transform habit energies to help love and understanding grow.
Driving The Car
Before starting the car I know where I'm going. The car and I are one. If the car goes fast, I go fast.
Practice Activities
Lighting A Candle
Lighting this candle, Offering the light to countless Buddhas, the peace and the joy I feel brighten the face of the Earth.
Walking Meditation
The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, a cool wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.
Impermanence
The day is ending and our life is one day shorter. Let us look carefully at what we have done. Let us practice diligently, putting our whole heart into the path of meditation. Let us live deeply each moment and in freedom, so the time doesn't slip away meaninglessly.

Local Sitting Meditation Groups:
Mt. Adams Zen Buddhist Temple Morning meditation Monday-Friday at 6:30 am and Saturday at 9 am with Ven. Kozen Sampson at the Trout Lake Abbey located at 46 Stoller Road, Trout Lake, WA. http://www.mtadamszen.org.  Contact: Kozen Sampson ( thaykozen@mtadamszen.org; 509-395-2030)
Trinity Sangha Meditation with Ven. Kozen Sampson, Mt. Adams Zen Center, Noon to 1 pm every Monday at Trinity Natural Medicine, located at 1808 Belmont Road in Hood River. Sitting meditation and loving kindness meditation.  www.trinitynaturalmedicine.org. Contact: Emily Martin ( Emily@trinitynaturalmedicine.org; 503-358-1949)
Pacific Hermitage Meditation and Dhamma talk with Thai Forest Monks, 6:30-8 pm every Tuesday evening at Yoga Samadhi in White Salmon, WA.  http://pacifichermitage.org 
Hood River Zen Sunday afternoon walking and sitting meditation every other Sunday 3 - 5 pm in the Bamboo Room of Cascade Acupuncture, located at 104 5th St. Hood River, Oregon.  http://www.hoodriverzen.org. Contact Kyri Treiman: ( kjtreiman@yahoo.com)
White Salmon Dharma Practice Group every other Sunday evenings at Atlan (near Northwestern Park outside of White Salmon).  Contact: Scott Cushman: ( rscottcush@gmail.com; 925-708-5652)
11th Step Meditation: A Fresh Step Forward in Recovery Sunday evenings 6:30 pm at Bethel UCC Church in White Salmon, WA. Contact Dick Withers: ( Richard.withers@att.net; 414-587-4065)

 

2017 Calendar 
This is not 100% complete. An undated
schedule will appear each month
March 
Feb 22 - March 1st Thay Kozen in Texas
3-5 NUNM Qigong Retreat - Private
20-24 Oregon Episcopal School Retreat - Private
25-26 Eight Precepts Spring Retreat with Buu Hung Monastery - here
29 - April 1st Kozen on retreat at Deerpark Retreat in California (temple closed)  

April
2-11 Spring retreat, Thay Kozen on retreat at Desert Zen Center CA, (temple closed)

22 Earth Day - 9 am service
29 Beltane (Druid Event)19-20

May
6 Buddha's Birthday Celebration 9am
5-7 Laurie VanCott Yoga retreat (541.490.7420)
19-21 NUNM Pik Shan Ko Taiji Retreat - Private
27-29 Buddhist retreat, Thay Hang Toan, from the city of 10,000 Buddhas will be the Guest Master

June
7 Buddhist Festival - Portland
15-22 Yoga / Astrology Retreat - Private
24-30 Kozen on Retreat - (temple closed)

July
1-5 Ziikr Retreat - Private
7-8 Thich Nhat Hanh group retreat
13-16 Eight Winds Festival (Druid Event)

August
12-18 Vedanta Retreat housing only
19-20 Precepts Retreat by Buu Hung Monastery - here
23-28 Beyond The Gates (Druid Event)
27 - Ullambana - Buu Hung Monastery - Portland
31 - 3 Sept  Xinglin Institute Private

September
31 August - 3 September Xinglin Institute (private)
23 Autum Equinox (Druid Event)
29- 1 October  NUNM Private

October
Sept 29-Aug 1 NUNM (Private)
13-15 Fall Retreat Zen - here

November
No scheduled group retreats
Private retreats welcome

December
9 Bodhi Day - meditation 11:30 pm - 12:30 am
31
meditation 11:30 pm - 12:30 am
Mt Adams Zen Buddhist Temple Services 
Monday - Friday 6:30 am Meditation

Saturday  9am full service + meditation 
Mt Adams Temple Groups Held Offsite 
1st Sunday of the month, Buu Hung Monastery at 3pm
17808 NE 18th St.  Vancouver WA 98684 
contact Venerable Su Co Hue Huong, huehuong7@yahoo.com

Every Monday - Trinity Sangha, at Trinity Natural Medicine at 12 noon
1808 Belmont Ave, Hood River, OR 97031
 
11th Step Recovery meeting - Sunday evenings   Bethel UCC Church in White Salmon WA   6:30 pm. Contact Dick Withers: (Richard.withers@att.net; 414-587-4065)
Trinity Sangha group
Every Monday - Trinity Sangha, at Trinity Natural Medicine at 12 noon
1808 Belmont Ave, Hood River, OR 97031

Mt Adams Zen Buddhist Temple    46 Stoller Rd., Trout Lake WA 98650  509.395.2030    www.Mtadamszen.org
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