M a n c h e s t e r2 0 0 8

On we will begin ourPadmasambhava day festival at 10.30amwith a day retreat. I have decided this year tolook at a text fromcalled 'A spur towards spiritual practice'. It isa fantastic text full of advice and beautifulimages. Here are a couple of excerpts from itto whet your appetite:

What we will do throughout the day is haveperiods of study interspersed withmeditation and chanting. We did this acouple of years ago and it worked really well.It allows space to reflect, absorb and deepenyour understanding of the text. In theevening I will hand over to Manjunaga for afestive puja starting at 7pm

So why not join us. The day is open to anyonewho has completed Buddhism 2 (if you falloutside this category and still wish to comeplease ring 0161 834 9232 and talk to me).

As a festival day there is no charge but danais always welcome). Hope to see you there.

is and we will be celebrating it at the

Buddhist Centre throughout the day. Therewill be a practice afternoon from 2.30 -5.30pm, led by Ratnaguna. Then there will bea shared meal between 5.30 and 7.00pm. Theevening festivities will start at 7.15pm andwill be a celebration of sangha: all theawakened teachers who have kept alive thewisdom teachings, as well as the communityof present-day practitioners who we have thegreat fortune to share our lives with.

During the evening we will hear from someof our sangha community on what sanghameans to them.  All mitras new and old areinvited to come along and reaffirm theircommitment in a mitra reaffirmationceremony. And we will also welcome somenew people to the mitra sangha throughwitnessing their mitra ceremonies. Allwelcome for all or part of the day or evening.

I am delighted to say that we have a newaddition to the men’s mitra Sangha: GaryStanley. If you have not done so already andknow him, I am sure your congratulationswould be welcome! We now have 41 menmitras in the Manchester Sangha.

To remind all men mitras that we have twoevents for you in the remainder of 2008. Thedates are:-

We have now had three such events formitras and I personally have found theminspirational. We have studied together, wehave discussed how we are getting on in ourpractice, we have discussed how I/the localorder could help and we have created astronger sense of Sangha amongst us.

So do put these dates in your diary once you

for ordination. For further details of theprogramme for the day, please emailMahasraddha: bluecorn@mail.com. So docome along and contribute to what promisesto be an excellent opportunity to hear andtalk dharma as well as an opportunity tosupport your spiritual life and that of yourfellow men. Your presence at the event willmost definitely make a difference. And why?I’ll let you think that one through!

Finally, we currently have two study groupsfor men, one led by Maniraja and I and theother led by Saccacitta. The number ofgroups will expand as more men want studyor want study more tailored to their needs. Inaddition, the new study course for mitras isdue for launch in February next year whichwill help give a clear structure to study and islikely to increase demand for study. ContactMahasraddha if you want to join a studygroup for men, especially if you have anyconcerns about study which are currentlyholding you back form joining a group.

have finished reading this article and docome along: just imagine if all 41 men mitrascame together in the same shrine room forthe same event, sharing and participating inpractice, what an inspirational event it wouldbe! So when thinking about attending theevening, don’t just think in terms of what youcan gain from the evening but also think interms of what you can give to the eveningjust by turning up.

For men who have asked for ordination,there is a specific event for you on

at the MBC. In briefthe programme will consist of meditationand puja and talks from Saccacitta andManiraja on the theme of gratitude in thespiritual life. There will also be opportunityfor discussion of your spiritual life with yourpeers and of course, the opportunity to spenda day with your fellow men who have asked

On In a puja ledby Karunavajri we will celebrate ,the Bodhisattva of energy and power. He isconcerned with gathering the energy of theuniverse to serve spiritual development. He isabout overcoming fear, of confrontingeverything that terrifies us, of being able tostay outside the comfort zone - because that iswhere freedom lies. All welcome

Hi everyone, bookings are now beingtaken for the last sangha retreat in 2008.We'll be returning to Vajraloka - the siteof our last five successful sanghaweekends over the last two years. Pleasebook now to avoid disappointment - all ofour previous weekends have been soldout! The theme will be Reflection inEveryday Life', and will follow on from theup-and-coming series on Reflection atSangha Nights led by Ratnaguna andPrabhasvara. Best wishes,

difference between information andwisdom, and how the reflective process

is not so much aboutlearning new informationas a deepening ofourselves. We’ll see how a

text , and evenas we reflect on it and as we

change.

In weeks five and six we’ll be movingfrom the more discursive kind ofreflection (wisdom through thinking) tothe non-discursive kind of reflectivemeditation (wisdom through meditating),which I call contemplation. We’ll look atand practice two contemplations:

, or ‘recollection of theBuddha’ - both through contemplatinghis qualities and through visualization ofhis form - and the contemplation ofimpermanence. Sangharakshita oncesaid that the whole of Buddhism could bepared down to just one word –impermanence. By contemplating theBuddha and the truth of impermanencewe’ll be contemplating both Nirvana andSamsara.

As with the previous Sangha Nightcourse – ‘Chopping Wood, FetchingWater’ – the course will be run as aworkshop, with a presentation of thetheme for the evening followed bybreaking into small groups to discussand question. There will also be periodsof silent reflection, and we’ll also practise‘reflective dialogue’. I’ll tellyou on the night!

So, a six-week course, starting on the, with a break of two weeks in

which Prabhasvara will be offering hisown reflections on the Four Noble Truths.Here’s how it pans out:

6th - Ratnaguna13th - Ratnaguna20th - Ratnaguna27th - - Prabhasvara

3rd - - Prabhasvara10th - - Ratnaguna17th -

- Ratnaguna24th -

- Ratnaguna

Looking forward to seeing you there!

First of all, thank you to everyone whohas given me feedback and suggestionsabout what wemight look at inthe Sangha Nightclasses over thenext few months. One of yoursuggestions was to have Order memberscoming to talk about what inspires themto practise, and in September we heardfour Order member’s accounts:Padmakara, Devamitra, Kavyasiddhi andShakyajata.

In August I gave a talk at one of theSangha Night classes on the ThreeLevels of Wisdom: Suta-maya-panna(wisdom through listening), Cinta MayaPanna (wisdom through thinking) andBhavana Maya Panna (wisdom throughmeditating) and some of you expressedan interest in hearing more. So overOctober and November we’re going to beexploring these in more depth,specifically the second and third levels.

In the first week –we’ll be trying to understand exactlywhat is meant by reflection in theBuddhist tradition. We will see how tolearn the skills necessary for reflection:reducing ‘papanca’ (mental proliferation),developing ‘vitakka’ and ‘vicara’ (aspectsof directed thinking), as well as stillingthe mind. We’ll do this partly by lookingat a sutta where the Buddha talks aboutthe ‘two kinds of thought’, and we’ll alsolook at some practical things we can doto prepare ourselves for reflection.

The second week –will be about reflecting in our everydaylives, on what happens to us and also onwhat we do. We’ll do this with the help ofa little-known French philosopher(Gabriel Marcel), who has some veryhelpful things to say about reflection “inthe daily flow of life”. We’ll also considerwhat Sangharakshita has to say aboutthe possibility of gaining insight in themidst of our active lives.

Week three will be about– which could be a specific

Dharmic topic, such as impermanence,or it could be something else of your ownchoosing – a line from a poem or even animage. We’ll see that it’s not so much theactual topic as the that we thinkabout it that matters.

In week four - - we’llbe exploring how to read Buddhist textsand how to withthem. By doing this we’ll discover the

Harold Bloom

It's that time again! At sangha night onMonday 8th December I will be hostingthe 2008 skills auction. So please have athink about what you'd like to offer.

We'll be doing the usual email bidding forthose of you who can't attend, but pleasedo try to come and support the live event- there's usually so much good stuff onoffer at these evenings - and all in timefor Xmas! Please email me onprabhasvara@hotmail.co.uk if you wouldlike to donate something, or be involvedin any way. Best wishes,

November 21st – 23rd

Tuesday afternoons: 2:30 – 4:00 pm

Aryamati leads our friendly group in theMindfulness of Breathing and MettaBhavana meditations. During the teabreak we chat and discuss ways ofdeepening our practice. Do join us if youcan.

Mon Dec 8th

From January 1st 2009, we will bechanging the start times for eveningclasses to allow you and our teachers toget home earlier! Instead of the usual7.15 - 9.45pm, we will run events from7.00 - 9.30 pm.

Of course, this starting time alreadyapplies to Study night on Thursday, butnow we will be extending this to bothSangha nights and Introductory classes.

These are hard times financially andeconomists are predicting that we could beheading for the worst recession in a longtime. With gas prices being raised by 30%,no doubt we’re all feeling the pinch or atleast anticipating that we will. The MBC willof course feel the pinch as much as anyoneand while we have faired better financiallyin the last six months than in the previoustwo years, we could be struggling again inthe second half of the year.

So I just wanted to ask you to keepsupporting the Centre in any way that youcan. Something I’ve noticed is that whenpeople are under stress they stop doingthe very things that will help them copewith stress – meditating, exercising,meeting with friends, ‘downtime’ (as theysay in America). It would be a great pity ifwe stopped supporting the Centre becausewe are feeling the pinch. In this period offinancial difficulty we need to do our best tokeep the Centre going. This is partly for ourown sakes (can you imagine not being ableto come to the Centre to meet friends andpractice the Dharma together?), but alsofor the sake of others living in and aroundManchester, who may be suffering morethan we are.

I also want to thank those of you who havejust begun, or who continue, to support theCentre, whether financially or in otherways. Your help makes all the difference.

Thank you thank you thank you!

‘Career & Work-Related Coach’ atBodywise Manchester and London. Tofind out more about ‘Work As Practice’you can get Kathryn’s free weekly ‘NoblePathways’ newsletter emailed to you byregistering at:

www.90DaysToYourDreamCareer.com/register.html

For Kathryn’s contact details and to get afree place on her upcoming

go towww.90DaysToYourDreamCareer.com

I don't know if Di is a hat lover but shecertainly wears a few around here. If she'snot working at Bodywise she's doing astint on Reception or effectively runningBreathworks. I think Sona has admitted hewaits for Di to tell him what to do.

I have the pleasure of working for Di onMondays (sorry she does insist I say work'with' her) and it is always a very satisfyingday. I find her an excellent boss wholeaves me to get on with my work unlesssomething new needs attending to. Mindyou, though she gives me space, she alsostated clearly, "When I'm busy, you'rebusy".

Di recently had to cope with her mother'sillness and passing away. Taking a leadshe organised her family to support herfather and visit her mum. She was stillvery conscientious about her work duringthis period despite being tired often, from

hospital visits and stop-overs at her dad's.When her mum did pass away Di showedgreat dignity as well as common sense inkeeping a low profile for a while, avoidingthe sympathy and questioning that coulddisturb her. Containing her grief shecontinued to work and be the Di we love. Itwas an impressive display of her courageand what she'd learned from the groupthat meets to discuss death.

A holiday for Di is to go away and care forher partner's children. She did draw theline though at watching a football matchand opted instead to sit in the car for theduration. Metta,

There is ample ground for finding spiritualpractice in work but we need to know howto respond creatively to the opportunitiesright ‘under our noses’? Here are sevenquestions supplied by Kathryn Entwistlethat can be used as a method to help youapply the dharma at work right now.

How to get the best results

 Brainstorm at least 3 answers to thequestions below.

 Include some bold or ‘crazy’ answersto bring lightness and energy.

 Choose which of your answers youwant to act on in the next 48 hours.

 Make each action specific so that you’llknow when you’ve done it.

The 7 Questions

1 Who could you show more kindnessto in your work?

2 How could your kindness beexpressed?

3 Who might benefit most from yourgenerosity at work?

4 How would you enjoy expressing thatgenerosity?

5 What could you do to generate morecontentment with respect to your work?

6 What could you do (or not do) topromote harmony this week?

7 How could compassion help youhandle your biggest challenge?

List the actions you’re committed to takingin the next 48 hours AND Keep your actionlist somewhere you will see it often. It canhelp to have an object such as a pebble inyour pocket to remind you.

Kathryn Entwistle, is a mitra who hasasked for ordination and is a member ofour Manchester Sangha. She’s also the

Writing Weekend

with Ananda or Manjusvara

Noting down what comes to us when westop and listen can reveal images andthoughts that speak to us from ourdepths.

This weekend is an opportunity to accessyour more imaginative side throughwriting exercises and discussion, andfind out what your depths are saying toyou.

The popular book, , waswritten by Manjusvara, one of the teamand is available in the centre bookshop.

Open to all, no writing experience isnecessary.

£80/£60/£40

Day for women who haveasked for ordination

£25 / £18 / £15*

Nectar of Instruction- a song of Milarepa

Day retreat for women with Saddhanandi.

Suitable for women who have completedBuddhism level 2 £40 /£30 /£20 - includes breakfast

Padmasambhava’s AdviceA Day for women with Saddhanandi

.Suitable for women who have completedBuddhism level 2 £40 /£30 /£20 - includes breakfast

The Manchester Buddhist Centre is run by the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) Manchester, charity registration number 514937

t

Please note the views and opinions expressed in the Newsletter are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily those held by the trusteesof the Manchester Buddhist Centre or by the FWBO/WBO in general.

Sat 04-05 Bodywise: Body-Mind Centering with Katy Dymoke 10am - 6pm both daysSun 05 Breathworks: Living Well with Stress. Four week course starts 11am - 5pmSun 05 PADMASAMBHAVA DAY led by Arthaketu 10:30 - 5pm Teaching & Meditation 7:15pm Ritual eveningMon 06 Evolutionary Spirituality - Six week course starts led by Padmakara: venue/ time TBAMon 06 Sangha Night: with Ratnaguna 7:15pmSat 11 Bodywise: Yoga – A practice to support the lungs with Christine – 10am -1pmSun 12 Day for People New to Buddhism led by Prabhasvara 10am - 5pmMon 13 Sangha Night: with Ratnaguna 7:15pmTue 14 Full Moon Puja dedicated to Vajrapani led by Karunavajri 6 - 7pmWed 15 Breathworks: Living Well with Pain and Illness. Eight week course starts 1:30 - 4pmSun 19 Day for Men who have asked for ordination led by Mahasraddha & Maniraja 10am - 4:30pmMon 20 Sangha Night: with Ratnaguna 7:15pmSat 25 Bodywise: One day massage course with Jutika 10am - 4pmMon 27 Sangha Night: with Prabhasvara 7:15pmSun 31 Breathworks Trainers' retreat at Taraloka starts

November

October

Sat 01 Nectar of Instruction: Day retreat for women led by Saddhanandi 8am - 3pmSun 02 Padmasambhava’s Advice: Day retreat for women led by Saddhanandi 8am - 3pmMon 03 Sangha Night: with Prabhasvara 7:15pmSat 08 Bodywise: Hakomi workshop with Alastair Stewart and Liz Shelley 10am - 5pmSat-Sun 08-09 Wolf at the Door Writing Weekend with Ananda or Manjusvara 10:30am - 5pm both daysMon 10 Sangha Night: with Ratnaguna 7:15pmThu 13 SANGHA DAY - see articleSat-Sun 15-16 Bodywise: Relax Kids – A programme to set up classes 9am - 5pm both daysMon 17 Sangha Night: with Ratnaguna 7:15pmFri-Sun 21-23 Sangha Weekend Retreat in WalesSat-Sun 22-23 Bodywise: Introduction to Focusing led by Manjudeva and Jutika 10am -5 pm both daysMon 24 Sangha Night: with Ratnaguna 7:15pmSat 29 Bodywise: Yoga – A practice to nourish & restore energy with Christine 10am - 1pmSun 30 Day for women who have asked for ordination 10am - 5pm

At the beginning of there’s a weekendof Body-Mind Centering taking place on

and . The theme isenhancing mobility and stability. To find outmore about BMC, have a look at the web-sitewww.embody-move.co.uk or contact Bodywiseand we’ll put you directly in touch with KatyDymoke who’s leading the workshop.

On there’s a yoga morningworkshop with Christine entitled “Moving intoAutumn: A practice to support the lungs.” Thisis suitable for people with at least 3 monthsyoga experience.

Jutika is running a one day massage course on, Learn basic

massage techniques and spend a fun, relaxingday giving and receiving massage.

Looking forward to early November, AlastairStewart and Liz Shelley will be putting on anexperiential Hakomi workshop (

). “Using the Hakomimethod of self-study, we will explore how weorganize our experience with a view toexpanding our opportunities for nourishmentin daily life.”

Please note – there’s been a change to theadvertised programme: There will still be afocusing weekend on

November, but it will be an introductoryweekend led by Manjudeva and Jutika in placeof the advertised workshop.

Breathworks has been providing mindfulnessstrategies to help people living with chronicpain and stress since 2001, and has beengrowing steadily ever since. As well asproviding a growing portfolio of pain and stressmanagement courses, Breathworks hasrecently landed a substantial contract toprovide mindfulness training under a mentalhealth in schools initiative, and is beginning tomake contact with a local PCT about providingservices to the NHS.

Consequently, Breathworks has a growingneed for trainers to participate in providingmindfulness training in the region. If you haveever wondered about joining the Breathworkstraining community, or getting involved insupporting Breathworks courses in any way,please come and talk to us. In particular, dolet us know if you have decided not toparticipate for practical reasons, as we may be

able to find ways to help.

Our Trainers' retreat at Taraloka from has two places

available at the time of writing, and furtherretreats are running in January, April, Augustand November 2009.

Our course will berunning on Sundays, with the first session on

. We are running two courses this

autumn; one at the MBC on Wednesdayafternoons and one at Salford Hope Hospital onWednesday evenings. Both courses start onWeds . Some bursary places arestill available for participants with chronicmusculo skeletal pain who are willing to takepart in a research study.

Watch this space for details of the Novemberlaunch party for Vidyamala's forthcoming book,"Living Well with Pain and Illness: The MindfulWay to Free Yourself from Suffering", due forpublication on .

The deadline for next month’s edition of thenewsletter is Please email anyitem to address:

Guideline: 150 to 400 words good, 500 - 800words large and over 1000 a blockbuster thatmay have to be split.