Tai Chi & Meditation Saturday Service - 14 February 2009
Tai Chi & Meditation Saturday Service 14 February 2009
It was a rainy morning for our Tai Chi, meditation and group discussion service.
Our Guiding Reverend used the weather as an opportunity to ask us to focus on rain during our Motive Meditation – the importance and significance to rain and our lives; how we may take rain for granted and it is not until there is a shortage that we notice and really appreciate it.
To open our group discussion Venerable Miaoyu asked participants to share their thoughts during Motive meditation. Members mentioned things like:
Rain brings life; that we should recognise and appreciate what it does for us; that we have affinity with it as we too are made up of mostly water.
venerable reminded us that we can show our appreciation by recycling the water, e.g. collect rain water to use to water the plants, or use water we have washed in, to water plants and so on.
Venerable Miaoyu then moved the discussion to habits and asked participants about their habits. She reminded us that one bad habit can have the effect of cancelling out all the good habits we may have. For example a colleague at work with a very bad temper but who has ten good habits will be known for his bad temper and will be avoided and his career compromised.
Meditation is one way for us to help us overcome our bad habits. It is about taking time out to focus. Like a river that is stormy and rough we can’t see below the surface but when it is calm and smooth it is easy to see deeper into the water.
If we understand ourselves we can give to others. It will enable us to be tolerant and more aware of others. We get stressed and burdened. We have our own perceptions and doubts. Knowing and understanding these for ourselves allows us to be more aware of the stress, doubts, perceptions and burdens of others. It enables us to be more tolerant and patient.
Venerale also mentioned that it is hard to change our own bad habits, especially habits of a lifetime – she asked us to be patient with those that have bad habits – we cannot expect them to change instantly. We have to give people time.
The discussion closed with a reminder to participants that the Car Boot sale and Car Wash is on the 7th March from 8am to noon at the Temple. Proceeds will go towards local community organisations that help youth and women. Everyone is welcome!