Saturday Service (Tai Chi, Meditation and Discussion)

07 March 2009

We started the Saturday Service with Tai Chi in the Temple gardens. The fine weather brought nearly 30 people to the service.

There are four lawns that form part of the Zen gardens at the Temple. They are in the process of being replaced as patches had died - from the sun, heat and use from all the recent activities at the Temple.

Venerable Miaoyu used the renewal of the Temple lawns as the subject of our focus meditation. She asked us to think of the ups and downs, the nature of impermanence, and the cycles within our own lives. She spoke of the truth being all around us.

This was then followed by our group discussion. Venerable Miaoyu asked participants to share their thoughts during Motive meditation. People spoke of:
• Stages occurring in every person’s life – no stage is the same and occur according to the conditions
• Learning and growing from every stage– that we build upon the knowledge gained from the previous stage
• Others mentioned enjoying the moment, every moment – living in the present
• The cycle of change - that it can occur at any time and can be gradual or a complete break
• Control and how we have to detach in order to change
• Change is not always being as we planned and that it can be painful

Our guiding Reverend encouraged us to keep focussed on the positive, the right way – keep busy with these so we don’t have too much time to focus on the negative and our worries.

She advised of the need to be brave and have inner strength to understand ourselves. She spoke of persistence and determination to strengthen and cultivate ourselves. She talked about rowing a boat – if we are not going forward then we are going backwards or have stagnated. Know our direction and our pathway but be patient, take time and give yourself space when working on changing habits and way of life. Work to completely eradicate bad habits and relationships. When bad habits appear be mindful and firm. Be quick to stop it and be self aware.

She also reminded us: Anyone can stand on me but I will still grow!

And final wise words: Gentleness and calmness are the best weapons against aggression.