Weekly Email 9-15-22

Dear Common Ground Friends,

It was so good to see those of you who were able to make it to our potluck celebration last Sunday (pictures below) following the Sunday morning practice group. The center was filled with aliveness on such a joyful occasion. The warm reverberations in my heart from the memory of our time together has been welcomed this week. Even if you weren’t able to make it, perhaps the idea of the event warms your heart too.

One of the great blessings of a spiritual community such as Common Ground, is the opportunity we have to learn the art of spiritual friendship, keeping the teachings in mind in our interactions with each other so that we’re compelled to be decent and kind to each other, leading with love and wisdom. The Buddha had a lot to say about spiritual friendship, the kind of friendship that broadens us and supports good, healthy living. In fact he regarded himself as a spiritual friend in one of the most popularly quoted scriptures, in which he proclaims that spiritual friendship is not just part of but the whole of the holy life. The Buddha was a wonderful model for us too, showing us again and again how to not throw each other out of our hearts. Perhaps we can all get interested in the power of this path as relational practice that we all need.

Monk, a friend endowed with 7 qualities is worth associating with.
Which 7?
They give what is hard to give
They do what is hard to do
They endure what is hard to endure.
They reveal their secrets to you.
They keep your secrets.
When misfortunes strike, they don’t abandon you.
When you’re down and out, they don’t look down on you.
A friend endowed with these 7 qualities is worth associating with.
-Mitta Sutta

Warm Wishes,

Shelly Graf
Co-Guiding Teacher

Lisa Milan with baby Iris

One of our hosts, Leah Dunbar, preparing the table.

Weekly Programs
To view our entire list of programs and to access Zoom links to participate in online programs, please visit the online calendar. 

Weekly Practice Groups

• Sunday mornings, 10:30-11:45am in-person and on Zoom with Mark Nunberg
  • September 18th with Shelly Graf
• Sunday evenings, 7:00-8:30pm in-person with Mark Nunberg
  • September 18th with Heymann
• Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:00pm on Zoom with Shelly Graf

Yoga & Qigong
We offer Yoga and Qigong several times a week, both in person and online. Click here for times and details.

• First Wednesday of the month: Community Group led by Matthew King and other practice leaders
• Third Wednesday of the month: Monthly Practice Group with Mark Nunberg and guest teachers

The Practice of Generosity

Continuing in the tradition of Buddhist monasteries in Southeast Asia, all programs at Common Ground are offered free of charge in the spirit of generosity. This offering is possible because of the generosity of people like you—from the Buddha on down to all the people in our community—who contribute their practice, time, and financial resources to support the continuation of the center.

To learn how to support the center and our teachers, visit this page. Let us know if you have any questions.

Current Volunteer Needs 
Please contact Robin Major at robin@commongroundmeditation.org if you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities:

• Audio Editing: We are looking for a couple volunteers to help with audio editing. Comfortability with tech is helpful, no previous audio editing experience needed.
• Children’s Program: We are looking for volunteers to help lead the revitalization of the children’s program. Please email a letter of interest to Robin.
• Wishlist items: large pot (for over 20 servings), one bookshelf, large high quality wool rugs for the dharma hall at the retreat center, large indoor trees with nice pots.

Community News 

Weekly Tejaniya

There are three ways to see
the Buddha: 1) With our eyes;
2) By imagining him in our minds;
and 3) By understanding the Bud-
dha with wisdom. That’s why the
Buddha said: “Those who see
the Dhamma see me.”

 Thanks to The Daily Tejaniya for this quote