This week we join Buddhists worldwide in commemorating the Buddha’s awakening by entering deep retreat both in our temple and at Gather. Giving ourselves completely to retreat we gift ourselves with a chance to remember that the human heart cannot cut itself off from the world. Our deepest nature is relationship, belonging to all things. Upon seeing the morning star on December 8th, the Buddha said, “How marvelous! I, the great earth, and all beings are naturally and simultaneously awakened.” It is the vital principle of every life – belonging, being woven in the great tapestry of life that connects everything everywhere. Every being has the desire to awaken to this belonging. When our lives awaken to belonging, we endeavor to live a life that is grateful, and generous, and worthy of the blessing and the invitation that is always calling to you.
Consider how you would like to take practice with this vital principle with the Bread Loaf Mountain Sangha. During Rohatsu, morning and evening meditation sessions are open for in-person and online attendance at the temple in Cornwall at 7 am and 5:30 pm from Saturday, December 2nd to Friday, December 8th. We will also be open at Gather (48 Merchant’s Row, Middlebury) for in-person only public meditation at starting promptly at 7:00 to 8:00 am and 5:30-6:30 pm.
