Weekly Guiding Teachers Reflection

Dear Common Ground Friends,

Human beings have been turning to spiritual practice for peace and strength for ages. In Buddhism, this movement of the heart is expressed through the practice of taking refuge. Going for refuge is remembering what we deeply value and inviting our orienting values into the foreground. To take refuge is to repeatedly turn toward what is trustworthy. This heart has the capacity to be present with things just as they are. This is true for all of us. It is also true that there are many guides and teachers, starting with the Buddha, who have generously shown us the way by expressing that capacity in their words and actions. It is beautiful and important to look around and notice the real fruits of spiritual practice among us. On a practical level, going for refuge means remembering, especially in the midst of confusion or difficulty, that there is another way to meet these moments in our lives. Right there, the heart touches refuge and learns to trust what is deeper than habit energy. We can lean into the teachings and the support of practice, even when we don't yet know exactly where the path is leading. Refuge is the ongoing willingness to choose an orientation for our lives again and again.

Tomorrow, Phillip Cryan and I will lead Common Ground's monthly half-day retreat together. We will spend the morning reconnecting with what we deeply value so that when we return to our daily lives, refuge is close at hand. Through meditation, silence, and Dharma reflections, we'll cultivate deeper steadiness, wisdom, and kindness. Whether you're new to Buddhist practice or have been practicing for many years, I hope you'll join us as we spend a morning exploring what it means to come home to what is truly reliable.

Peace,
Shelly Graf
Co-Guiding Teacher

p.s. If if doesn't work for you to join Phillip and I tomorrow, you might consider joining me next Saturday for our daylong retreat, or join Gabe Keller Flores for another half day on August 1st!