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NOTE: Online Practice Only Sundays and Wednesdays
Join us Sundays from 8 - 9 am and Wednesdays from 7 - 8 pm via Zoom video conferencing for practice and teaching with Michael.

Click the Zoom Video Link below and enter the password to join our video conferences.

Password: 362919
Holy Smoke
We are now experiencing the results of climate change and too many decades of fire suppression. Indigenous people in our area intentionally set wildfires to stimulate new growth and help to prevent larger fires from occurring. This is very wise and a good metaphor for walking the spiritual path. Dharma practice is intentionally setting our heart on fire so it does not get overgrown with flammable weeds. This renews the inner forest and provides a refreshed view of loving kindness.
I love the way Amma Syncletica, a fourth century woman of wisdom, talked about the spiritual path. I offer her guidance to reflect the Buddhist perspective: “It is a struggle and great toil at first for those who practice the Dharma, but then it is unspeakable joy. Just as they who want to start a fire are engulfed in smoke and reduced to tears at first, and in this way attain the desired warmth, so too we must start the divine fire within ourselves with tears and toil.”  Basically, don’t expect your eyes not to burn when you start a fire. 

May we witness the outer fires and smoke as a call to kindle the inner fire for the benefit of all beings. Much gratitude to our wonderful sangha for tending the fire of wisdom and compassion.

Much Love,
🙏🏼Michael
With Gratitude
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Dharma Journal Posts
When Nothing Moves
My root teacher in the Buddhist tradition frequently said, “When you notice the mind naturally settling, just continue in that.” This was his distilled guidance concerning meditative practice. He seemed to embody this, remaining...
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