May 2011 Events at Meetingbrook

May 'Pilot to Practice'* Friday Evenings:

Meetingbrook Dogen & Francis Hermitage will hold four Friday Evening Conversations (May 13, 20, 27, June 3) from 5:30pm-7:00pm on the Sandokai, a poem by the eighth-century Zen master Sekito Kisen (Ch. Shitou Xiqian). These sessions will read, share nuances of translation from Chinese and Japanese, and converse about the meditative implications of the poem. Led by Leigh Schneller Sligh and Tom Prescott at Meetingbrook Hermitage, 64 Barnestown Rd. Camden ME, 04843. (236-4346). Just past Snow Bowl, sign at road. All events are free, open, and informal.

A word about Meetingbrook Hermitage Events:

All are welcome; All events at meetingbrook are free, open, and informal; Each conversation, each night, each practice stands by itself. Each silent sitting is just that, nothing more. Each event and conversation begins with a space of silence.

Mondays: No events

Tuesdays:

1. Tuesday Evening Conversation/Practice, 5:30-6:30pm. Theme: Maybe Zen, Maybe Not. Buddhist focus: 20mins sitting; 20 mins reading; 20 mins conversation. Currently using Hand Wash Cold, care instructions for an ordinary life, by Karen Maezen Miller

Wednesdays:

1. Wednesday Evening Conversation, 5:30-6:30pm. Theme: Laura Soul-Friend Conversation: ("Laura" is a Greek word meaning different trails or paths.) An hour of sharing the delights and difficulties of practice and thought as experienced. An opportunity to converse about spiritual or meditative practice in an open, deep listening & loving speech setting.

Thursdays:

1. Thursday Evening Conversation, 5:30pm--6:45pm. Christian focus. Theme: Stepping into the Mirror. Currently using book, A Course in Miracles.

Fridays:

1. Conversations at Maine State Prison, Warren ME. (7:30am--11:00am).

2. Poetry, Tea, and Thee -- Poetry Conversation at Quarry Hill(Retirement/Assisted Living Facility, Camden ME) 1st and 3rd Fridays, (3--4:00pm)

3. Friday Evening Conversation at Hermitage, 5:30pm--6:45pm. Theme,Creativity and Peace: Mystics, Poets, & Thinkers. Reading, or video, from various traditions, conversation,. See note above for: Conversations on the Sandokai, May 13, 20, 27, June 3. Led by Leigh Schneller Sligh and Tom Prescott.

Saturdays:

1. Morning Practice, 7:30am--8:45am, Buddhist Focus: sitting, chant, reading, circle reflection,metta,

2. Unity community in the Camden area of Maine. Group is meeting at meetingbrook for study in Camden: Monthly on the Second Saturdays at 12 for lunch, then book study at 1 pm. Contact information to share with those interested in Unity of Camden: Rev Airin, kindredmates@gmail.com, 207-210-4539.

Sundays:

1. Morning Practice, 7:30 AM- 8:30AM, Christian Focus, chant, reading (lectio), circle reflection, intercessory prayer.

2. Quaker Meeting for Worship, 9:00AM--10:00AM weekly through May (It moves in June to Vesper Hill Children's Chapel in Rockport until Oct). The Megunticook Worship Group's Sunday morning Quaker meetings for worship

3. Open Hospitality, Resumes 17April, Palm Sunday: 12:30pm --3:30pm

4. Sunday Evening Practice, (Practicing Between Traditions), 6:00pm--8:00pm, sitting, walking, chanting; table reading, silent eating, open conversation.

Please note:

• Silent Sittings have returned to the chapel/zendo. Quaker Meetings are in the Merton Retreat and in June return to the Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel in Rockport.
• The Merton Retreat and the Chapel/Zendo are open for use at any time.
• You can call (236-6808) and there will be a recording if an event needs to be cancelled. Or see website, Today at Meetingbrook, http://meetingbrook.blogspot.com/ for any change/elaboration of schedule for that day.

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Epilogue:

Meetingbrook Hermitage is a place of collation and recollection between Ragged and Bald Mountains where we practice with simplicity between traditions cultivating our promises of contemplation, conversation, & correspondence, in the spirit of deep listening and loving speech.

Come by and experience your own mind/heart in the presence of others

* Note: 'Pilot to Practice’ events are presented as a particular series with an eye to continuing in some form as a conversation/practice at meetingbrook .