Friday Evening Silent Meditati...

Friday Evening Silent Meditation

For those interested in deepening their meditation practice and for those exploring Theravada Buddhism come and join us. This session is for experienced/advanced meditators who have the ability to meditate, sitting and walking, for 30 minutes at a time without instructions. The length of the sitting, walking, sitting meditation is 1.5 hours.

* As soon as you walk into the Buddha's room for meditation on Friday evening please expect to be silent. Only the Abbot or the assigned monks or lay Buddhists who lead meditation will be the person does the greeting to welcome everyone to the practice of mindfulness and it is expected to short one.
*The 3 bells of calling for a silence to begin the session of meditation practice.
*After that will follow with three bows to pay homage to the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha, these bows is used to open one self to the practice of mindfulness. If one does not know what the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha are? Then it might be the opportunity to do some research on Buddhism before attending this session.
*After the greeting, the first sitting will begin with one bell and end it with one bell. (expected 30 minutes)
*The second session of walking will immediately follow and end it one bell.(expected 30 minutes)
*The third session of silent sit will resume after the walking meditation with one bell and end it with two bells.(expected 20 minutes)
*The last session of loving-kindness reflection will begin right after the two bells ( 5-10 minutes).
*The silent session will conclude with the moments of acknowledgement of the practice with the verbal acknowledged of "Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu," and this means "excellent."
After the moments of acknowledgement all meditators will bow out with three bows of pay homage and gratitude to the Buddha, Dhamm, and Sangha.
*** Three bells will again call the moment of silence to conclude the evening silent session.

Suggested tips for a loving-kindness meditation:
First cultivate loving-kindness toward oneself first and always.
After that will be :
A respected, beloved person - such as our father, mother, our spiritual teacher;
A dearly beloved - which could be a close family members or friends;
A neutral person - somebody you know, but have no special feelings towards, e.g.: a person who serves you in a shop;
A hostile person - someone you are currently having difficulty with.
And conclude loving-kindness reflection at the end of this session to all living-beings.

Please Note: The monastery/meditation center is the place to practice the Dhamma.
-Dress conservatively.
-Please, no: short shorts or dresses, tank tops, or anything provocative or revealing.
-This dress code applies to both men and women. Appropriate coverings are available if needed.
-Refrain from sitting with the bottoms of your feet pointing at the monks, nuns, or at the altar. This is considered inappropriate posture in Eastern culture.
Please fold your legs to the side if you need to adjust your position during meditation or Dhamma talks.

Come and join us to discover a peacefulness in your own mind with the practice of being mindful.

May the blessings be with you,
Ajahn Sarayut Arnanta
Abbot