Thurs. Night Meditation and Discussion

WHEN AND WHERE: We meet in the sanctuary at UUCA on Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 8:00. We begin with opening words and lighting of the chalice, usually followed by forty minutes of silent meditation. We normally have a talk or readings, followed by discussion. Sometimes, as in loving kindness meditation, meditation may be guided. Clothing is very informal & comfortable.

Before meetings: We view our meeting room as a Meditation Hall and therefore prepare to enter the place of practice by removing our shoes and speaking very quietly, if it is necessary to speak, outside the Hall. We create the special space in which our sangha exists by marking the boundaries of the place with our respect and the boundaries in time with the bell.
During meetings: Each sound of the bell invites us to rest in the sangha. We stop whatever we are doing. At perfect rest, we take three mindful breaths, for about half a minute, before we resume our activity or discussion in renewed mindfulness. We may invite the bell, if discussion or activity has become too automatic or frenetically paced. When we place our hands together and bow, we are making an offering of our presence to the whole sangha, embodying our respect and affection. Our hands form a lotus bud, a flower offered the group. We look about before we “bow in” to discussion to see if someone else wishes to “bow in.” We bow out at the end of our comments, so that our friends may contemplate what we have said in its fullness. We try to leave three breaths between comments for contemplation. You may see an offering bowl near the front of the meeting. Offerings are directed to three basic ends. The MPG regularly makes donations to UUCA for the use of the space and utilities. The MPG also maintains a scholarship fund to send sangha-friends to retreats and events they could not otherwise attend. It sometimes receives special appeals from other dharma-sharing groups and may respond to these.