GREETINGS
Welcome to the Meditation Circle site. This longtime Buddhist-oriented meditation group based at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 520 Kanawha Boulevard W., in Charleston, West Virginia, will be closing down its meetings for good effective with the end of June 2022, after a good run. See the ‘RESOURCES’ page for tips on setting up or deepening meditation practice. Be well!
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Author Archives: admin
Friends with our thoughts
Photo by Guillermo Álvarez on Unsplash Sometimes people think the point of meditation is to stop thinking— to have a silent mind. This does happen occasionally, but it is not necessarily the point of meditation. Thoughts are an important part … Continue reading
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The Practice of Now
Photo by Erik Witsoe on Unsplash The only time we ever have to live is now. The only time that spiritual practice is done is now. If we’re going to cultivate love and compassion, it has to be in the present moment, because … Continue reading
Right View…plus some Encouraging Words
“The ability not to get discouraged by events comes down to your ability to keep talking to yourself with the right tone of voice, saying the right things to yourself. That’s what right view is all about. Remind yourself that … Continue reading
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Essential Attitudes for Meditation
“The mind itself is a set of events, and you participate in those events every time you look inward. Meditation is participatory observation: what you are looking at responds to the process of looking. In this case, what you are … Continue reading
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A Definition of Mindfulness
Bhante Gunaratana’s Definition of Mindfulness: Mindfulness (Sati) Mindfulness is the English translation of the Pali word sati . Sati is an activity. What exactly is that? There can be no precise answer, at least not in words. Words are devised … Continue reading
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Harmonious Speech
Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash Text from the website “The Buddha’s Advice to Laypeople” by Lynn J. Kelly A second category of Right Speech (after truthfulness) is harmonious speech, or refraining from saying things with the intention of dividing people or groups … Continue reading
Thanissaro Bhikkhu Breath by Breath
Here’s the Dhamma talk by Thanissaro Bhikkhu that was played at the Kalyana Mitta group meeting on Tuesday, July 10th. https://www.dhammatalks.org/Archive/basics_collection/04%20Breath%20by%20Breath.mp3
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Kalyana Mitta meeting update
Due to the 4th of July holiday, this month’s Kalyana Mitta meeting at the UUC has been moved to next week, Tuesday, July 10th. Tea, cookies, and companionship. All are welcome. We hope to see you there.
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Creating our lives
“We’re creating our lives. And even when the mind seems to be simply spinning its wheels, it’s not just idly spinning its wheels. It’s creating new states of being, new possibilities — some of which are good, some of which … Continue reading
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The purpose of training the mind
“The purpose of training the mind to be still is to simplify things. When things are simplified, the mind can settle down and rest.” ~Ajahn Lee
BHANTE G AT THE UNITED NATIONS
Bhante Gunaratana, abbot of the Bhavana Society Buddhist Monastery in High View, W.Va., , delivered a 9-minute speech on May 1 at the United Nations in New York, on the occasion of Vesak, the festival which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, … Continue reading
The point of equilibrium
Excerpt from “Finding the Center” in chapter 2 of “Untangling Self” by Andrew Olendzki: At some point all this tranquility devolves into sleepiness, laziness, or a sluggishness of mind where it seems a struggle just to remain conscious. This too is … Continue reading
With your own eyes
Photo by Ryan Holloway on Unsplash To see the Way with your own eyes quit agreeing and disagreeing. The battling of likes and dislikes that’s the disease of the mind. – Seng-ts’an (606) Quote courtesy of dailyzen.com
Bhante Jayasara to visit area May 19-20 and 21, 2018
The Meditation Circle is pleased to announce a return visit to Charleston and Huntington, W.Va., by the Theravadan Buddhist monk Bhante Jayasara (Bhante J), from the Bhavana Society Theravadan Buddhist Monastery in High View, W.Va. He will be here: Saturday, … Continue reading
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When this mind is clear and bright…
When this mind is clear and bright And is not covered over, Then you are not very different From the sages. If you allow no wavering From this clarity, and do not Let it change, And do not cling to … Continue reading
