Avoiding The News
and finding my centre. Plus, fun stuff coming up.
Read on for my news about not reading the news. First, a couple of events we wanted to let you know about - over to our colleague Angie to let you know about them:
Curious about resting more deeply into spiritual practise?
We are delighted to announce 2 upcoming chanting events!
• Continuous Chanting Day 11am – 3pm Saturday 22nd March (temple & online)
• Kirtan & Sacred Singing group 7:30-9pm Sunday 2nd March and occurring monthly (temple and online)
Continuous Chanting Day
This day provides the opportunity to immerse yourself deeply in the nembutsu and into the transformative power of longer periods of chanting. There will be 4 hours of continuous chanting of Namo Amida Butsu held in the Shrine Room, alternating between chanting whilst sitting down and whilst walking slowly around the room, circumambulating the main shrine. We are accompanied by the hypnotic beat of the Mokugyo drum. You are welcome to drop in and out of the chanting as suits you, and to stay for part or all of the day. Please bring a vegan dish or snacks to share at the rolling buffet which will be in the dining room. We can stream the event on Zoom if folk would like to attend - let us know.
Kirtan & Sacred Singing group
This monthly group led by Angie offers a heart-opening and restorative space where we chant mantras and simple sacred songs from Buddhist, Yogic, Sufi & Celtic traditions. We are accompanied by an Indian drone instrument called a Shruti box, by a drum and by percussion. These instruments make it easier to be carried along by the music and to drop into Presence... You don't need to be 'good at singing' or to be able to hold a rhythm and can come and go as suits you. This group is held in the Shrine Room and also streamed Online at www.youtube.com/@BrightEarth.
We also have a space for two Amida Trust trustees at the moment - one general, and one who has some knowledge in (or interest in) maintenance of our 1820s 4 storey temple building. Meetings are every couple of months and are mostly held on Zoom on Sunday mornings, 9am UK time. Let Kaspa know if you’d like to know more: kaspa@kaspathompson.co.uk.
So… why did I avoid the news this morning?
Whatever your political affiliations, I’m guessing that you may be watching current global events with at least a pinch of concern. Never mind the ongoing conflict and possibility of more, never mind the fascist creep - the climate emergency is looming and world leaders continue to mostly ignore it and hope it goes away.
I’m reading a beautiful and consoling book about this by ex-Christian minister Brian McLaren - Life After Doom. I went to bed last night stuffed with bad news, and read a chapter where he spoke of his own previous addiction to the news. He noticed he was filling himself up with it, checking back regularly, and feeling terrible. Once he limited his access to online newspapers, social media etc. he started noticing the good news again - such as a mother bird carefully building a nest outside his window over three days.
I was inspired to wake up this morning and avoid my phone. Instead I did a little yoga, sat and chanted nembutsu, and hung out with the dogs for a little while. Across the valley, the bright lights of our local town were glimmering off and on like fairy lights - some trick of the weather? Later I watched a goldfinch eat some tasty thistles and our dogs stretching out of their sleep. The sun came out and it felt like there was good news everywhere.
I’m not suggesting we avoid the news altogether (unless you need to right now). It’s important for me to know what’s going on in the world so I can take small actions where I can, and so I’m not falling into denial. I did find it hugely helpful to at least start the day without Trump crashing in on me. It helped me to re-find myself, and to re-find the Dharma.
What is the Dharma asking of me today?
To attend to the small daily tasks that need attending to - making a batch of our dog’s vegan food, replying to lots of emails, speaking to solicitors about our house move.
What does it have to offer me?
A steady calm and some sparkling virya (energy) to go forth and take action. Pockets of beauty. Quiet wisdom. A space where I can rest when I need to, and a reassurance that - even if things get worse and worse - the Buddha will always be there.
What is the Dharma asking of you today? What is it offering you?
Namo Amida Bu,
Satya <3
Here’s our menu of Bright Earth offerings again. Ready to dip a toe in? How much time would you like to put aside every day? Are any of these practices calling to you?
🙏🏻 1 minute a day - Everyday Gassho (two bows a day) - read Rev. Kubose’s instructions
🙏🏻 5 - 10 minutes a day - do some daily chanting - chant along with one of these
🙏🏻 30 minutes - write a Dharma Glimpse - write one and send it to us
🙏🏻 45 minutes - Bright Earth Buddhist practice - join us live or on Youtube
So many of us have had to step back from the news of this calculated bombardment.
Having been a manager during the previous “down sizing” craze you carry the memory of letting someone go who did nothing wrong except to show up every day and do a good job. You are not just laying off an employee but a families future, education, health care and quality of life. And let’s not forget it’s also hurts your customers, vendors and suppliers— not to mention- - - it doesn’t work. Satya I apologize for the rant. When you live with these memories you never forget the pain on both sides of the desk. 😞
Yes. I’m limiting my minutes of reading the “news” every day. @KristaTippett wrote about this also recently. https://substack.com/home/post/p-157590922
I needed to pull back to regain my spiritual perspective. I am still involved, I still do read the news but it’s a very brief read