SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023
Being Peace in a World of Troubles
Michael Lipson, PhD
Though the world of troubles seems to accelerate its downward course, we have a choice as to how we will respond. In this workshop, we will respond, first, by exercising our attention, concentration, devotion, and love. These help us to find peace within, to right-size our reactivity, and to be available for new intuitions and further responses. Stephen Levine used to say, for instance: Let your heart break again and again. That is the healthy heart, capable of love.
There is another step to take, and it will occupy the second half of the day. It is the step into inner activism –- the sending of our collective energy to places of difficulty in our world. Each human is a point source of love, courage, depth and awareness. Collectively, we generate a shared field that is even more powerful in its potential for blessing, healing and sustenance.
Exercises will be offered and practiced that you can take home for future use, but the workshop is not about the future alone: it is about being the peace today.
Workshop will take place at:
The South Berkshire Friends Meeting
280 State Road
Great Barrington, MA
Saturday 11/11/2023, 10am to 5pm. Fee $125
Bring-your-own bag lunch. Lunch will be held in silence.
Teas and hot water available on premises.
Please reserve your place by Nov 1, 2023. RSVP to erudley@mac.com and send $125 by Venmo to Michael-Lipson-11, PayPal to lipson.michael@gmail.com, or mail a check to Michael Lipson, 5 Hillside Ave., Great Barrington, MA, 01230.
DECEMBER 1 AND 2, MONTPELIER, VT
Lecture: The Tao and the Way
The first and pervasive, universal deed is the intentional word – the word that could be spoken or could be silent. In the Buddhist/Taoist world, the fundamental word goes by many names, such as “the fundamental” or “the dharma” or the “Tao” (literally the “Way” – as in, “I am the Way,” John 14:6). In the Judaeo-Christian world, this original meaning is known as the word or voice of God, the bath kol or the logos, and is perhaps most famously set forth in the Prologue to the Gospel of John. It has no delineated content, but is the source of all possible content. Zen teaching, especially, is a logos teaching through and through.
In tonight’s lecture, we’ll examine the empty abundance of this universal Word in several literatures, especially in the Tao Te Ching and the Blue Cliff Record, and we will consider how we have access to it in our own direct experience.
Workshop: Advent as a Spiritual Practice
Prepare the Way [Tao] of the Lord. Isaiah 40:3
Early winter in the Northern world is an occasion to match the apparently inner gesture of the human soul with the apparently outer events of nature. It is the time of Advent, of silent expectation.
Today’s workshop will directly address the question of the soul’s preparation in prayer and meditation. It is not for the faint-hearted! -- because we do need to notice and transmute our all-too-human, fallen emotions if we are to develop a focused and feeling receptivity to the sacred. The day’s meditative themes will be drawn largely from the Gospels.
Silence. Whoever’s more inwardly silent
Touches on the roots of speaking.
Someday, every syllable uttered
Will be victory for us --
over what, in the silence, isn’t silent.
Over the mocking evil.
For us to dissolve tracelessly:
That’s why we were shown the Word. Rainer Maria Rilke
CONTACT PERSON: JOAN KAHN joanmkahn@gmail.com
Zoom Meditation every TUESDAY AT 11AM through Zoom invitation.
All are welcome to join virtually: Just ENTER YOUR INFORMATION AT THE "SUBSCRIBE" or "CONTACT" BUTTONS TO RECEIVE THE FREE WEEKLY EMAIL.
ONCE YOU HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO THE FREE WEEKLY EMAIL, YOU’LL RECEIVE ZOOM INVITATIONS. COST TO JOIN EACH GROUP SESSION: $10