Friends,
Welcome to the possibilities of awakening and freedom as we move into 2022. Things may get wild, even uncomfortable, but with our practice we can bring some equanimity, some kindness, even to the most irascible moments.
For the first session of February we’ll be exploring the Buddha’s very first dharma talk, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, in which he set out the direction of all his future teachings.
We’ll explore the second of these talks during the second session.
These suttas are remarkable in their naked essence, in the way he so clearly stated his revolutionary awakening, and in the way this opened the mind-hearts of the people he’s speaking to.
We explored these two several years ago, and it seems opportune to do so again, as a good launch for the rest of the year. As always we’ll endeavor to bring these home to our own realities in 2022, to see what difference they can make in our own short and vivid lives.
We’ll be sitting hybrid, meaning both online and in person, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 3.
If you wish to join online, the Zoom link will be https://tinyurl.com/Eastside-Insight-9-1-2021
If you wish to join in person, we’ll be sitting in the chapel at Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirkland. The address is 315 3rd Ave S., Kirkland, WA 98033.
We’re wearing masks and well-distanced, in a quite-large chapel.
If you will be joining in person, help setting up would be very helpful.
Here’s a link to sign up to help, or just email – stevellen95@comcast.net – and we’ll get you on the list. Please arrive at 6:15 p.m.
Many of you have been very generous with your dana offerings, and deep bows for your support of the dharma.
Please extend that generosity to Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, which is providing space for these teachings on a donation basis.
Here’s a URL to donate to Northlake, and please mention Eastside Insight. https://tinyurl.com/NUUC-Paypal
Here’s a URL to donate to the teacher paypal.me/SteveWilhelm48
Steve Wilhelm
7510 117th Ave. NE
Kirkland, WA 98033
As a result of your generosity, Eastside Insight just recently sent $300 of your dana offerings through Metta in Action to support nuns in Myanmar, where they’re struggling since the coup.
Looking ahead, you’re all welcome to the Feb. 12 day of mindfulness, which will simultaneously be the end of the current two winter intro classes, and also a day of practice for anyone.
It will be led by Tim Geil and myself, as we have been leading the two intro classes. The day will be 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and it will be online, and here’s a link to register.
Last, you’re also welcome to the 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16 Buddhist Essentials class on the life of the Buddha, which will be taught by Lauren Wilson and myself. This series is a great way to learn the underpinnings of the Buddha’s teachings, and what better way than hearing about the Buddha’s life?