Dharma Topic: Ambassador Stringbean

Dear Still Water Friends,

Many of us recite the Five Contemplationsbefore starting our meals:

This food is the gift of the whole universe – the earth the sky, and much hard work.
May we eat in mindfulness so as to be worthy to receive it. 
May we transform our unskillful states of mind and learn to eat with moderation.
May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness. 
We accept this food to realize the path of understanding and love.

This Thursday Evening, November 18,after our sitting and walking meditation, we will focus our attention on theFive Contemplation one by one, exploring what they mean to us and how they mightsupport our capacity to be eat and live mindfully.

In a commentary on the Fifth Mindfulnesstraining, Thich Nhat Hanh writes:

When we are mindful, we know that the food we eat comes from the cosmos, nature, and all living beings. If we can touch even one piece of fruit with our eyes and our mindfulness, we show our gratitude and experience great joy. If we look at our food for just half a second before putting it into our mouth and chewing it mindfully, we see that one string bean is the ambassador of the whole cosmos. This is the practice of being in touch.

You are invited to join us this Thursday formeditation and our discussion. The best times to join us are just before 7:00for walking meditation,, at 7:25 at the beginning of walking meditation, or at7:35, at the beginning of our second sitting meditation. Our program begins at 8p.m.

Next Thursday, on Thanksgiving Day,there will be no evening program. However, you are invited to join the StillWater Mindfulness Practice Center Team on the Thanksgiving Day Trot forHunger, which is an 8:30 a.m. 5 kilometer walk or run along the tidal basinand Potomac River. It is a invigorating and aesthetic way to start ThanksgivingDay and all proceeds go to So Others Might Eat. You can walk (or run) with us,or you can financially contribute in support of those participating. For moreinformation or to enter, go to http://www.some.org/inv_eve_trot.html.

Also, please visit our recently redesignedwebsite at www.StillWaterMPC.org. Under the guidance of PeterCook, we are trying to convey the spirit of the Still Water community aswell as provide basic information. Comments, reflections, and suggestions wouldbe appreciated. Send them to Webmaster@StillWaterMPC.org.

Warm wishes,

Mitchell Ratner 
Senior Teacher

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