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Together-ness is a practice. At the practice center we have a unique opportunity to live closely with friends from many different countries and backgrounds. Together we form one Sangha body, connected by the practice of mindfulness. With our collective energy of calming and looking deeply, it is possible for us to support each other on the path of transformation. This requires cooperation, skillfulness and acceptance. To live amongst each other, we need to cultivate understanding, communication and a willing heart. Let us take the time to get to know the people around us. We have neglected our neighbors for too long.
Sharing our daily life we can encourage each other with our practice and together build diligence and solidity. Sharing a room with others is an opportunity to develop understanding and compassion for ourself and for those we live with. By being mindful of the people we share a room with, we can identify and appreciate their positive qualities, creating an atmosphere of harmony. We know that when the other person is happy, we are also happy
.We can show our respect to our roommates and the space we share by helping to keep it neat and clean. We try to be considerate of our roommates. For example, we might like to ask first before we open a window or light incense or turn on the light, to make sure it will not bother our roommates. In this way we can create a supportive environment for practicing loving kindness through your words, thoughts and actions.
The greatest gift we can offer our fellow practitioners is our practice of mindfulness. Our smile and our conscious breathing communicate that we are trying our best to find peace within ourselves and we hope to contribute to the peace in the community as well. We should remember to keep communication flowing and our happiness will flow as well.
A period of deep silence is observed starting from the end of the evening sitting meditation until after breakfast the next morning. This is very healing. We allow the silence and the calmness to penetrate our flesh and bones. We allow the energy of the Sangha and its mindfulness to penetrate our body and mind. We go back to our tents or dormitories slowly, aware of every step. We breathe deeply and enjoy the stillness and the freshness. Let us not talk to the person walking by our side; she or he needs our support, too. We can stay alone outside with the trees and the stars for about ten minutes, then go inside to use the bathroom, to change and go to bed right away.
Lying on our back, we can practice Deep Relaxation until sleep comes. In the morning, we move mindfully and silently, taking time to breathe, to go to the bathroom and then proceeding right away to the meditation hall. We do not have to wait for anyone. When we see someone along the path, we just join our palms and bow, allowing him or her to enjoy the morning the way we do.
We need everyone to participate for the practice
to be deep and joyful. This is the practice we do every day, except on
lazy nights and on festival days like the Full Moon Celebration. Thank
you for your joyful practice.
Knowing when to rest is a deep practice. Sometimes,
we try too hard in our practice or we work too much without mindfulness;
thus we become tired very easily. The practice of mindfulness should not
be tiring but rather, it should be energizing. But when we recognize that
we are tired, we should find every means possible to rest. Ask for help
from the Sangha. Practicing with a tired body and mind does not help;
it can cause more problems. To take care of yourself is to take care of
the whole Sangha. Resting may mean to stop what you are doing and take
a five-minute walk outside, or to go on a fast for a day or two, or it
may mean to practice Noble Silence for a period. There are many ways for
us to rest, so please pay attention to the rhythm of our body and mind
for the benefit of all. Total Relaxation is a practice of resting. Mindful
breathing whether in the sitting or in the lying position is the practice
of resting. Let us learn the art of resting and allow our body and our
mind to restore themselves. Not thinking and not doing anything is an
art of resting and healing.
Village des Pruniers - Làng Mai - Green Mountain Center - Deer Park Monastery - Lộc Uyển
Email: PVlistening@plumvillage.org - Meyrac Loubès Bernac 47120 France