Online Children's program - lovingkindness and letting go

On April 25th's Children's Program we shared additional observations about the progression of spring, checked out our sunflower seed (hadn't sprouted yet!), and read a book called The Invisible String, which explores the idea of each of us having an invisible string made of love that connects us to all of the other people we love, even when we're not with them physically. Kenzan then led us in a loving-kindness meditation, imagining our invisible strings extending outwards, ultimately connecting us to all beings everywhere.

For this week's Children's Program (May 2nd), we again

 all shared our Spring nature observations, including seeing the removal of the stumps at Shao Shan and the landscaping work there. We also checked in on our sunflower seedlings, which have started to sprout. A variety of stuffed animals then acted out the story of "A Heavy Load," from the book Zen Shorts, about learning to set down difficult thoughts or emotions when they are no longer serving us. We then practiced letting go by "shaking it off," as well as by sitting quietly and listening to a variety of unexpected bells. 

Stump removal happening now

Last autumn Shao Shan Temple had to remove over 100 Red Pine trees from around the Temple for safety reasons (several of them had fallen on buildings!)  We were fortunate that the stumps were almost immediately covered by snow, so that it did not look like a logging site.  The stumps are currently being removed and it is becoming more evident how beautiful the open space will be.   Those of you participating in today's online meditations have heard the heavy machinery in the background!

"Welcoming the Unwelcome" mini-seminar

"Welcoming the Unwelcome" - this phrase describes a challenge of our current world and is also the title of the latest book by Pema Chodron.  On Sunday, April 26th, Shao Shan Temple had a mini-online-seminar on this topic.  The mini-seminar included meditation, readings from Pema Chodron's book and discussion.  The active discussion focused on how can we bring these teachings to life in right now.

The time we live in is a fertile ground for training in being open-minded and open-hearted.  If we can learn to hold this falling apart-ness without polarizing and becoming fundamentalist, then whatever we do today will have a positive effect on the future.

Pema Chodron in Welcoming the Unwelcome

Sangha members continue mask making & distribution

Several Shao Shan Temple sangha members continue with making and giving away face masks.  The masks are sewn with care and prayers/mantra as a sewing meditation practice.  Now that wearing masks has become recommended for all, they have offered masks to other sangha members who need them.  Dozens of masks have been given away locally - to neighbors, to a nursing home and at a senior center.

Happy mask recipients

Online Children's Program - spring & luck

This past Saturday for the virtual Children's Program, we introduced ourselves and shared some signs of spring that we have noticed, such as the melting of the snow, the return of certain birds, and the blooming of early flowers. 

We then read and acted out a story from a book called Zen Shorts about a farmer whose luck goes up and down, but understands that there can be good things in seemingly bad things and bad things in seemingly good things and that good and bad can be all mixed up together and changing again and again. 

Finally, we planted a sunflower seed, which we will watch grow from week to week.