Reading Peace discussion
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We could consider continuing with Being Peace. Wishing the best of new years to all!
I kind of slowed down with Being Peace because there wasn't any discussion .Maybe we could discuss that one. But I'm ok with whatever everyone else wants to do.
Good morning, dear friends. I thought _Being Peace_ was our January book since we didn't discuss it at all in December that I saw. There are seven chapters and four weeks left in the month. Should we perhaps focus on two chapters a week for the rest of the month? First Chapter: Suffering is not Enough fits nicely with Thay's 2013 retreat themes, which may still be echoing in our practices. _(*)_
Good morning, dear ones. For the last 5 minutes of my meditation time this morning, I began to re-read Being Peace, remembering that I purchased this book during a lovely weekend retreat at Deer Park in Escondido. How Brother Thay's words brought me back to the beauty and simplicity of life's truths! Living the equanimity of suffering and joy is sometimes challenging, but when I remember to smile throughout the day, that smile becomes the bridge on which I can balance with ease. May we all recognize the happiness within us today. Metta to all of you.
I started over again this morning too, re-reading the first chapter after sitting meditation. What struck me on this read was Thay's invitation to do more than turn our attention to beauty, but to pause in order to be fully present and nourished by beauty. Has anyone seen the moon this week? Breathing with the moon evening and morning has filled me this way.
Is there a Readers Guide to Being Peace?
I'm a beginner here. How can I obtain a copy of Being Peace? I'd like to be a part of the reading.
You can order it from parallax press at a book club discount. Honestly, the shipping charges negate the discount. In the end, my discounted price was a penny less than full price. I use to edit for parallax/CML but it made more sense for me to buy the new edition from a local store.
Amazon also has it and if you're a prime member it's free 2 day shipping.
Mod
Yes, we will be continuing with Being Peace, and taking a bit of a breather to start the new year.
We have a number of big projects planned for the book club -- including interactive video discussions of our picks which I'll be posting about within the next few minutes!
I am wondering if we will be having a new book for February? I very much enjoyed Being Peace and am looking forward to our next selection.
Hi all, is this book club now defunct? Just checking back in to see where it stands. Metta to all, Lisa
Lisa, I have been wondering the same thing.
The last I heard we were reading Sr. D''s second book but if anything was posted about I missed it. Would love to read anything together. I've learned so much from all of you and just enjoyed your presence.
I've been away from our group for a while, and thought, maybe, that I had missed a few books. I think that we've all been busy, as spring inches into summer. I've been reading a lot lately - some books that have been on my shelves for many years (Carol Pearson's The Hero Within)and some new ones (Tara Brach's second book, True Refuge). What have all of you been reading? Oh, and I've been re-reading many of Parallax Press's children's book, now that the monthly children's practice at my temple is back in full swing.
I just finished Thay's book "The Energy of Prayer." He spoke quite a bit on prayer from a non-theistic perspective. I very much enjoyed it.I just joined this group in May, and hope we read another book together.
I am also a recent "joiner" to the group and have not yet had the opportunity to discuss any books with all of you. I would be very happy to join a discussion! I am currently reading Friends on the Path, about creating sanghas in Thay's tradition, and also Thay's book, Joyfully Together. I am starting a new sangha and these two books have been invaluable support. I also recently read Sr. Dang's book, Healing, which was lovely and honest. I am re-reading The Great Compassion, by Norm Phelps, about Buddha's teachings regarding our care for animals. As a vegan, I find it inspiring with many teachings we are not typically aware of.
Vicki wrote: "I am also a recent "joiner" to the group and have not yet had the opportunity to discuss any books with all of you. I would be very happy to join a discussion! I am currently reading Friends on the..."Vicki, what kind of a sangha are you starting?
I'm curious about other people's sanghas and meditation support networks, too. I'm a member of a Zen Buddhist temple in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
I guess this is a thread about books though!
Well, maybe people will also have ideas about books that help with sangha building! I am starting a new Thich Nhat Hanh sangha, Fierce Compassion Sangha, in Evanston, IL. Perhaps we can communicate more via FB or become Goodreads friends. I'd like to hear more about your experiences.
Vicki wrote: "Well, maybe people will also have ideas about books that help with sangha building! I am starting a new Thich Nhat Hanh sangha, Fierce Compassion Sangha, in Evanston, IL. Perhaps we can communicate..."I'd like to talk further as well. I never go on FB but I'd be delighted to be Goodreads friends with you and anyone else from this group.
You're probably familiar with Thay's book "Joyfully Together -- The Art of Building a Harmonious Community"? It's a keeper!
I'm going to take my non-book thoughts over to the Introductions thread.
Would folks have interest in reading Ten Breaths to Happiness as a group? http://www.parallax.org/ten-breaths-t...
The author is a Dharma Teacher in the Plum Village tradition. I have read this book, and thought the meditation methods in it were quite powerful. Someone in our sangha here brought this book to our Monday night meetings a number of months ago. I'd love to work through it more slowly and with community support. :)
Lisa wrote: "Would folks have interest in reading Ten Breaths to Happiness as a group? http://www.parallax.org/ten-breaths-t...
The author is a Dharma Teacher in the P..."
Sounds interesting, especially since you found it to be powerful, Lisa.
Ok, at the risk of sounding shallow: the price seems high for a short book?
I wonder if we might suggest a few possible books and decide on one.
I just started "No Mud, No Lotus." It's about transforming suffering, learning how to suffer well so that we can also have more happiness.
Truth be told, it's starting out a little slow for me. I've heard very good things about it, though, and Vicki said in the "Introductions" thread that she likes it tremendously. Has anyone else read it?
Plus there's the classic "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching." I loved the first section about the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold Path, and have re-read those parts several times.
I've never made much headway with the rest of the book, and wonder if discussing it as a group would get me over the hump. I'm sure it's full of gems.
I've read no mud no Lotus Jack, liked it and could repeat it, or even No Death, No fear, also by Thicht Naht Han, or any thing else, for that matter !
I am fine with all of these; I've read some, not all. Certainly re-reading with a group can bring up new insights and thoughts. I haven't looked at Ten Breaths in detail; it sounds similar to Rick Hansen's work, The Buddha's Brain, which I have read portions of. Ten Breaths is also available at reasonable prices online; someone had earlier mentioned the cost. I'm new to this group; how are these decisions made?
I think the moderator used to pick a book, but as the mod seems to be busy elsewhere, & we're interested, it'll be us for the time being who choses the book.As I've made a vow this year to not buy any new books (my intoxicant of choice), but read through some of my stacks here at home (still 'drinking' just drinking 'home brew'. LOL ), I'm going to suggest books by Thay I already have..."Heart of the Buddha..." would work.
I also have & would be interested in discussing:
The Heart of Understanding
Cultivating the Mind of Love
Breathe! You are Alive
For a Future to Be Possible
Stepping Into Freedom
Transformation & Healing
I'll vote for "Ten Breaths," or "Heart of the Buddha's Teaching"
Maybe this would be too basic, but "Peace Is Every Step"? (I've also tried not to buy any new books this year. It's been hard!)
I'd be happy for us to select a book. All of the recommendations sound intriguing.
I am not going to be helpful, as I would happily read any of these, even if re-reading them. I am afraid I DO give into my craving for new books, so will be fine to buy one if I don't have it!
Since Sparrow Knight isn't buying new books right now (I stand in awe!) maybe we could choose one off the list she wrote out.Laura, do you have any of the ones on Sparrow's list?
I do not, but I wouldn't be averse to obtaining a copy if one was chosen.
"The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" is a wonderful book and one I'd love to read and study together. Do you think we could handle it on our own if Jason is busy with other assignments?
It would be helpful, if Jason doesn't show up, to have a facilitator. Does anyone know how to contact him our would someone like to volunteer to organize this?
I'd be happy to contact Jason. If he can't participate right now, I think we could handle things on our own. I agree that having a facilitator would be good.
A group of people at my temple are reading a book together and someone volunteers to facilitate each time we reach a new chapter. It works well.
So what does everyone think about "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching"?
I would be fine with that. Thank you, Jacki.
I appreciate everyone's kindness in working w/my vow! *bows*And I look forward to reading & discussing "Heart of the Buddha's Teaching". I haven't a clue as to how to facilitate an online discussion, but I'm willing to try in rotation.
Jacki wrote: "Since Sparrow Knight isn't buying new books right now (I stand in awe!) maybe we could choose one off the list she wrote out.Laura, do you have any of the ones on Sparrow's list?"
On the one hand, it's not as hard as it sounds...you have no idea how many books I have stacked! Yikes!
On the other hand, it's much tougher to hold this vow than the one I took to not drink alcohol while studying the Uttaratantra! Not being much of a drinker, that vow wasn't really showing me how I like to escape from reality. Not buying books really is! *ack!*
Jacki, that's great - we're in your debt. I'll take a turn, too.
Hello my friends,I have yet to participate in a group reading. I do own a copy of The Heart of The Buddha's Teaching and look forward to the discussion :) I do read quite slowly though, so just hope |I am able to keep pace.
I would vote for reading slowly! I am in two other book groups, one of which is a Buddhist study group, but would love to participate in this group as well. I also find reading these teachings slowly helps me be more mindful in my learning.
I'm new to this group and I've never done a group read on goodreads. I'm VERY interested in joining a discussion. I would need to take it slow as well. what about a quarterly book? has a book been chosen (I may have missed it in reading through all the recent posts)
I THINK we're going with Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thay.
"Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" is Thay's book we are reading in our online sangha. I am happy to start it over again and participate in a discussion here.
We could begin our study of "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" without a thought for the calendar. We could start with, say, chapters 1-4 (they're short, a total of only 17 pages), post comments and questions as we go, then move on when we feel we've covered things sufficiently. It might even be possible for Jason to keep an eye on us and guide us from time to time.
Elaine, I like what you're suggesting.I'll let you all know when I hear back from Jason.
It's good to see all the people who are joining up!
With Gratitude,
Jan