Bringing Mindful Speech to Life: Resonant Language through a Plum Village Buddhist Lens

 

A three-day retreat with noble silence, meditation and Resonant Language Skill Building

with

Dharma Teacher and Certified NVC instructor Peggy Smith

Dharma Teacher Theodate Lawler

Order of Interbeing Member Lynn Deeves

Friday Sept. 18 - Sunday Sept. 20, 2026

Pilgrim Lodge, West Gardiner, ME

For more information and to register

A DAY OF MINDFULNESS in the Plum Village Tradition

 

with Dharma Teacher Theodate Lawlor and Kripalu Yoga Teacher Sandy Cyrus 

                    SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025 9:30AM - 3:30PM                                                  78 Stillwater Ave., Orono, ME 04473

  

Come spend a day of refuge at Full Circle Yoga practicing sitting and walking meditation, mindful movement and fellowship in noble silence. This Day of Mindfulness includes a dharma talk and a practice of deep relaxation.

            For more information and to register: https://www.mainekripaluyoga.com/retreats

The Path of Compassion

The mind can go in a thousand directions. But on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, a gentle wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.

Thich Nhat Hanh

In an article in The Mindfulness Bell, Brother Chan Troi Dao Bi wrote:

“Only when we are able to show love and concern for ourselves can we show love and concern for others and build brotherhood and sisterhood… one of my favorite lines from [the Praising the Buddha chant] is ‘May compassion cool the flames of the world, and wisdom shine through the clouds of confusion, revealing to all the path.’ Our love and compassion can help cool the flames of the world. Our collective insight and wisdom is like a torch lighting our path and revealing the path to all.”

From The Raft: Friends on the Path

The Buddha’s Warning: How Tyranny Rises—and How to Resist It

 

A recent talk from Br. Phap Luu of Deer Park Monastery

February 2025 Black History Month

 

From The Raft

To read more: The Four Noble Truths of Racial Injustice in Daily Life

January 13 and January 20 in-person sangha meetings

           

                            https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/blog/2017/8/9/when-giants-meet
 

For those who may be able attend in-person sangha meetings in Orono, on January 13th we will share the Beginning Anew ceremony, which includes lighting candles of forgiveness for ourselves and others and reciting the Beginning Anew prayer. On January 20th, we will have a focus on the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and connections between his teachings and those of Thich Nhat Hanh.

We hope many of you can join us!

December 14th Day of Mindfulness in Orono

 

To Register and for more                information: MaineKripaluYoga.com/retreats

Inspiration from the International Plum Village Community

                                        September 2024

Being with painful feelings

Nobody escapes pain, but, for most people, knowing how to handle it remains a mystery. That’s why, in this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino discuss ways to cope with painful feelings, both individually and collectively. The two presenters talk about the Buddhist practices of being with pain, and how to handle it, be aware of it, and understand it, in order to start transforming it. 

 

Course registration is now open for the next online course bringing to life the teachings in Thich Nhat Hanh's book, Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, which will run from 20th October until 8th December 2024. More information can be found here.

 

Here is the Pure Land

By Fan Wen - Own work http://www.flowersview.com/Amygdalus-persica/02-02.jpg.html, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43139210

 Enjoy this beautiful song about the Pure Land on the Plum Village website:

Here is Pure Land, the Pure Land is here.
I smile in mindfulness
And dwell in the present moment.
The Buddha is seen in an autumn leaf,
The Dharma in a floating cloud.
The Sangha body is everywhere.
My true home is right here.
Breathing in, flowers are blooming,
Breathing out, I am aware that
Bamboo is swaying, my mind is clear
And I enjoy every moment.

Day of Mindfulness-June 22, 2024 in Camden, Maine

June 22, 2024, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

First Congregational Church of Camden, Camden, ME

The Gift of Practice - A Day of Mindfulness in the Thich Nhat Hanh, Plum Village tradition led by Senior Order of Interbeing (OI) Member Avi Magidoff and sponsored by OI Dharma teachers Peggy Smith and Theodate Lawlor. A simple, healthy vegetarian meal, with vegan options, will be provided. Please bring whatever you need for sitting meditation, outdoor walking meditation and deep relaxation. The teachings are freely offered. Dana gratefully accepted with registration or at the event.

FMI and to register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-gift-of-practice-tickets-882162360367?aff=oddtdtcreator

A Day of Mindfulness-June 1, 2024 in Orono

A Buddhist Day of Mindfulness in the Plum Village tradition with Dharma Teacher Theodate Lawlor & Kripalu Yoga Teacher Sandy Cyrus.

DATE: Saturday, June 1, 2024
TIME: 9:30am – 3:30pm
LOCATION: Full Circle Yoga Studio, 78 Stillwater Ave., Orono, Maine.

For more information and to register: https://www.mainekripaluyoga.com/day-of-mindfulness

March 23 Day of Mindfulness Cancelled due to weather-will be rescheduled

 

To register visit https://www.mainekripaluyoga.com/day-of-mindfulness

Transmission of the 5 Mindfulness Trainings-May 11

 If you would like to receive the 5 Mindfulness Trainings, go to this link for an application.

Honoring our Teacher-Feb. 5th in person sangha

 

In January, on the two-year lunar anniversary of Thich Nhat Hanh’s passing, Thay’s monastics and lay disciples from around the world will gather in Vietnam to honor our beloved teacher as he becomes an ancestor in our lineage. The community has prepared resources for you to enjoy and support your understanding of this momentous event including links to online ceremonies.

On Feb. 5th, the in-person Still Water Sangha will be devoted to a ceremony honoring Thich Nhat Hanh with an opportunity for dharma sharing, especially gratitude for his life and teachings. 

Beginning Anew ceremony Jan. 22, 2024

The postcard below is from Wabanaki REACH and the theme is similar to Still Water Sangha's annual Beginning Anew ceremony. During the ceremony we collectively recite the Beginning Anew prayer. We also have a chance to light candles, both requesting and offering forgiveness for unskillful actions. We invite you to join the in-person sangha on January 22, 2024 for the Beginning Anew ceremony.

 

Dec. 18th in-person sangha canceled

Due to severe weather and many power outages, in-person sangha is canceled for Dec. 18th. 

Next in-person sangha on Jan. 1, 2024.

Happy holidays!

Dec. 11th in-person sangha program

On Dec. 11, 2023 at the in-person sangha meeting, Theodate Lawlor will offer a guided meditation and a discussion of the Discourse on Love sutra. All are welcome to attend, 5:30-7 pm, Church of Universal Fellowship, Orono. 

“He or she who wants to attain peace should practice being upright, humble, and capable of using loving speech.....read more here

No In-Person Sangha on Dec. 25, 2023

 

There will be no in-person sangha meeting on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2023. Still Water Sangha will meet as usual in person on New Years Day, Jan. 1, 2024. 

The zoom sangha will follow the same schedule-no meeting on Dec. 25, but meeting again on Jan. 1.

Happy Holidays to all!

Falling Back in Love with Mother Earth

 

This article is an interview with Thich Nhat Hạnh on how we can practice with, and relate to, insights arising from contemplating the Earth as our Mother. The article, which appeared in The Mindfulness Bell on Nov. 10 2023, is about an earlier interview. It contains guidance and understanding that may be helpful in this difficult time.