[Spiritual] practices are not for know-it-alls. Practices are for those who feel the need for change, growth, development, learning. Practices are for disciples. We could say that rituals are practices of learners, and ritualism is the continuation of the practice by people who have stopped learning. Similarly, we could say that traditions are the heritage of a community of learners, and traditionalism is the continuation of the heritage by people who have stopped learning.
Finding our way again – Brian McLaren
On Saturday a small number of us met up for a day retreat at 118. This is something we occasionally do, believing that it is important in the business of everyday life, to create a little space for a little practice and reflection.
Sundari had suggested that we could explore the subject of devotion; what it means to us; who or what are we devoted to? What have been our experiences of devotional practices? It was also an opportunity to have a little more time to sit together and and chant nembutsu.
We began at ten with a morning service and followed this with some discussion and sharing on devotion. After a delicious lunch we looked at ritual, both within our Buddhist practice and in our everyday lives. We finished the day with some more nembutsu and a closing service and prostrations.
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Bhaktika has been using some of his mediating skills and experience to help out in his local community where there have been some recent trouble on the streets between youths from different communities. This has involved a lot of talking and listening to local people. Sundari noted that it is disturbing to find that they have such conflict right on their doorstep. Bhaktika has lived there for 30 years and so is well placed to be involved. Sundari commented that -
The need for us all to talk to each other is enormous. Occasionally now we go on an evening walkabout and just chat to people.
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The third edition of Sundari’s book has arrived from the publisher! Nice green cover. History made in a small way – it is the first time ever that a textbook on immigration and asylum law has gone to a third edition in the UK. (There was a book that went to a second edition in 1983)
We continue to meet most monday evenings. Give us a call if you are interested in coming along. We usually have a service at 6 p.m. which involves chanting nembutsu, meditation/reflection and a service adapted from the Amida-shu Nien Fo book. We then have a shared meal and a chat/discussion. Its all very informal!
