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When we hug, our hearts connect and we know that we are not separate beings.
Hugging with mindfulness and concentration can bring reconciliation, healing,
understanding, and much happiness. The practice of mindful hugging has
helped so many to reconcile with each other- fathers and sons, mothers
and daughters, friends and friends, and so many others.
We may practice hugging meditation with a friend, our
daughter, our father, our partner or even with a tree. To practice, we
first bow and recognize the presence of each other. Then we can enjoy
three deep conscious breaths to bring ourselves fully there. We then may
open your arms and begin hugging. Holding each other for three in-and-out
breaths. With the first breath, we are aware that we are present in this
very moment and we are happy. With the second breath, we are aware that
the other is present in this moment and we are happy as well. With the
third breath, we are aware that we are here together, right now on this
earth, and we feel deep gratitude and happiness for our togetherness.
We then may release the other person and bow to each other to show our
thanks.
When we hug in such a way, the other person becomes real and alive. We
do not need to wait until one of us is ready to depart for a trip, we
may hug right now and receive the warmth and stability of our friend in
the present moment. Hugging can be a deep practice of reconciliation.
During the silent hugging, the message can come out very clear: "Darling,
you are precious to me. I am sorry I have not been mindful and considerate.
I have made mistakes. Allow me to begin anew. I Promise."
The Kitchen
The kitchen is also a meditative practice space. Let us be mindful when we are cooking or cleaning in this space. Let us do our task in a relaxed and serene way, following our breathing and keeping our concentration on the work. A few words only may be needed about the work at hand. We might like to start our work by offering incense to the kitchen altar, to express our gratitude and to remind ourselves to work mindfully.
Let us support the kitchen teams by not disturbing this
meditative space unnecessarily. We do what we have to in silence and leave
the kitchen so the teams can do their work.
While cooking, we allow enough time so we will not feel rushed. Let us
be aware that our brothers and sisters depend on this food for their practice.
This awareness will guide us to cook healthy food infused with our love
and mindfulness.
When we are cleaning the kitchen or washing our dishes, we do it as if we are cleaning the altar or washing the baby Buddha. Washing in this way, we feel joy and peace radiate within and around us.
A Lazy Day is a day for us to be truly with the day without any schedule
activities. We just let the day unfold naturally, timelessly. It is a
day in which we can practice as we like. We may do walking meditation
on our own or with a friend or do sitting meditation in the forest. We
might like to read lightly or write home to our family or to a friend.
It can be a day for us to look deeper at our practice and at our relations
with others. We may learn a lot about how we have been practicing. We
may recognize what to do or not to do in order to bring more harmony into
our practice. Sometimes, we may force ourselves too much in the practice,
creating disharmony within and around us. On this day, we have a chance
to balance ourselves. We may recognize that we may simply need to rest
or that we should practice more diligently. A Lazy Day is a gift for us
and the Sangha to enjoy, in our own time and space. It is a very quiet
day for everyone.
Each week we have the opportunity to attend one or more Dharma talks by our teacher. Please arrive early for the talk so that we may have enough time to find a seat and establish ourselves in a peaceful state of mind. Please listen to the talks with an open mind and a receptive heart. If we listen only with our intellect, comparing and judging what is said to what we already think we know or what we have heard others say, we may miss the chance to truly receive the message that is being transmitted.
The Dharma is like rain. Let it penetrate deeply into our consciousness, watering the seeds of wisdom and compassion that are already there. Absorb the talk openly, like the earth receiving a refreshing spring rain. The talk might be just the condition our tree needs to flower and bear the fruits of understanding and love.
Out of respect for the teachings and the teacher, we are asked to sit on a chair or a cushion during the teachings and not to lie down. If we feel tired during the talk, mindfully shift our position and practice deep breathing and gentle massage for one or two minutes to bring fresh oxygen to our brain and the areas of fatigue in our body.
Please refrain from talking, or making disturbing noises in the hall during the Dharma talk. If it is absolutely necessary to leave the hall during the talk please do so with a minimum of disturbance to others.
Village des Pruniers - Làng Mai - Green Mountain Center - Deer Park Monastery - Lộc Uyển
Email: PVlistening@plumvillage.org - Meyrac Loubès Bernac 47120 France