Fifth Precept Sangha

Irrigators regulate the rivers;
fletchers straighten the arrow shaft;
carpenters shape the wood;
the wise control themselves.

~ Buddha [source: Dhammapada (verse 80)]

THURSDAY, November 04, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

12:45 pm PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
1:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
2:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
3:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
9:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
10:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Patrick, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

All welcome.

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Image – ‘Paddy Fields’ – Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia – August 2016

Even when we are at rock bottom or within a spell of depression, to train the mind in joy means we take notice and attend to just how much joy may still be present amid our darkest of moments. In this way, joy becomes a subtle way back to the fundamental pleasure that’s always there in the present moment.

~ Amanda Gilbert [source: How to Choose Joy – Tricycle Magazine – Trike Daily – June 22, 2021 – adapted from Kindness Now: A 28-Day Guide to Living with Authenticity, Intention, and Compassion]

MONDAY, November 01, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from…

12:45 pm PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
1:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
2:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
3:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
9:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
10:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

…ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Bruce, who will also be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

All welcome.

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Image – “Cultivating Joy” – Wat Thamkrabok Temple, Phraputthabat, Saraburi, Thailand – March 2012

‘The past has already been lived. It doesn’t have to be relived. To sacrifice the present and the future by reliving past injuries is not the way of the sages.

~ Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche [source: ‘Opening The Injured Heart’ – Tricycle Magazine – Fall 2018. Adapted from Training in Tenderness: Buddhist Teachings on Tsewa, the Radical Openness of Heart That Can Change the World, by Dzigar Kongtrul © 2018]

SUNDAY, October 31, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:45 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Vince, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

All welcome.

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Image by Lorraine Cormier from Pixabay

The heart is like a mirror. When we dust it off, we are able to see ourselves. The dust is all our stuff – guilt, anger – this stuff is reflected back to us. Practice removes the dust from the mirror of our hearts.

~ Krishna Das

THURSDAY, October 28, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:45 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Noel, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 15-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – ‘Mirror, Buddha & Holy Water’ – Nalagiri House, Carrigahorig, County Tipperary, Ireland – September 2016

Come, let me gaze at you, and learn whether you are of those entering into the world of light, or of those going forth into the land of darkness. Come, tell me who you are and what you are.

~ Kahlil Gibran [source: The Treasured Writings of Kahlil Gibran]

MONDAY, October 25, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from…

11:45 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

…ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Bruce, who will also be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm (UK/Ireland) and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 15-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

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Image – “Tushita Meditation Centre”  – Mcleod Ganj, HP, India – October 2019

When you admit to yourself, “I must make this change to be more happy”—not because the Buddha said so, but because your heart recognized a deep truth—you must devote all your energy to making the change. You need strong determination to overcome harmful habits.

~ Bhante Henepola Gunaratana [source: Getting Started’ – Tricycle Magazine – Fall 2001 excerpted from Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha’s Path]

THURSDAY, October 21, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:45 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Vince, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 15-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – by Quino Al on Unsplash | https://unsplash.com/photos/vBxlL1xpSdc

The regular practice of meditation is a good way to develop the power of awareness, a power that can eventually become stronger than the power of your negative habits. The power of awareness gives you the strength to do things differently and the courage to go beyond your habitual limitations.

~ Martine Batchelor [source: Let Go: A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits]

MONDAY, October 18, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from…

11:45 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

…ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Patrick, who will also be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm (UK/Ireland) and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 15-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

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Image – Book Cover: “LET GO: A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits”

We make a commitment to each of the five precepts – as we understand them to be – and we commit to continually pay attention; to our motivations, to our reactions, and to our evolving understanding of a life of Loving-kindness.

~ Sharon Salzberg [source: Loving-kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness]

SUNDAY, October 17, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:45 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Jacob, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 15-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – “Handwritten Sign Listing the Five Universal Precepts” – Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal – June 2017

Willingness comes before any growth: willingness to stop drinking and using; willingness to try a new way of living; willingness to commit ourselves to our spiritual growth; willingness to put that growth before our personal comfort.

~ Kevin Griffin [source: One Breath At A Time – Buddhism & the 12 Steps]

THURSDAY, October 14, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:45 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Bruce, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 15-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – “12 Steps at Ponta da Piedade” – Lagos, Portugal – September 2021

On hearing true teachings
the hearts of those who are receptive become serene,
like a lake: deep, clear and still.

~ Buddha [source: Dhammapada (verse 82)]

MONDAY, October 11, 2021

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from…

11:45 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:45 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:45 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:45 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:45 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:45 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:45 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

…ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Andrew, who will also be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm (UK/Ireland) and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 15-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

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Image – “Lough Derg Shoreline” – Portumna, County Galway, Ireland – May 2019