Friday, July 9, 2010

With One Voice Thoughts

Many thanks to the more than 250 persons who attended the showing of the "With One Voice" spiritual documentary in Des Moines recently and for the many positive comments I continue to receive. The attendance far exceeded expectations and reflects, I think, an exponentially growing interest in spirituality.

One of the most inspiring thoughts shared by the featured mystics is that simply living a kind, loving, and compassionate life is both the path (practice) and the goal (fruit) of spirituality. As the practice, it is undertaken intentionally and purposefully. And as the fruit of awakening, it is the spontaneous expression of what mystics agree is our already enlighened nature. I'm reminded of the Dalai Lama's oft repeated statement: "Kindness is my religion."

For more information about and to order this remarkable DVD go to the website http://www.withonevoicedocumentary.org/, to producer Matthew Flickstein's website http://www.forestway.org/, or to http://www.amazon.com/ under the movies category. My heartfelt thanks to Matthew for producing the film and for being my Buddhist teacher for the past decade. Please feel free to share your comments by emailing me at charlesday1@mchsi.com or by clicking on the "comments" link below.

Friday, June 11, 2010

"With One Voice" Flier

Please feel free to share and post the flier for the showing of the "With One Voice" Spiritual Documentary at 7 pm, Tuesday, June 29, at Plymouth Church. It can be seen and downloaded at http://desmoinesmeditation.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1613dbd0bf202c1978fbacf12&id=4ada87f2cf&e=db4b5baaaa.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Mystics Doumentary at Plymouth Church June 29

The award-winning spiritual documentary, "With One Voice," featuring mystics from many different traditions, will be shown at 7 pm, Tuesday, June 29, in Waveland Hall, Plymouth Church, 42nd and Ingersoll Ave., in Des Moines.

The mystics featured include Fr. Thomas Keating, Brother David Steindl-Rast, John Daido Loori Roshi, A.H. Almaas, Joseph Goldstein, Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, David Cooper, and Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, among others.

You may have donated to the making of this documentary when you attended a talk by the film's producer Matthew Flickstein, who spoke at Plymouth Church two years ago on a national fund-raising tour. On a personal note, Matt has been my Buddhist teacher for over a decade.

There is no charge, but a free-will offering will be accepted to benefit the Food Pantry of the Des Moines Area Religious Council.

More information about this award-winning DVD and ordering it can be found at www.WithOneVoiceDocumentary.org.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Meditation Retreat, June 12, Des Moines, IA

Meditation Friends: I'll be teaching a meditation retreat from 8:30 to 4:30, Saturday, June 12, 2010, at the Friends Meeting House on the NW corner of 42nd and Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA. The flier with more information appears below.

Please register only if you can participate for the full day, so that all retreatants might experience the benefit that comes from sharing sustained meditation practice with a group that stays together the whole day. New and experienced meditators are welcome. Please share this announcement with others who may be interested.

To register, email charlesday1@mchsi.com or call (515) 255-8398 and leave your (1) name, (2) phone number, and (3) email address. Email or call me if you would like additional information. Peace, Charlie

MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS RETREAT

When: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Where: 4211 Grand Ave., Des Moines - Des Moines Valley Friends Meeting House on NW corner of 42nd and Grand. Park in lot off 42nd or on Ingersoll Ave.

Teacher: Charlie Day is a retired psychologist who has studied meditation and Buddhism for over 40 years in the US, India, and Thailand. He teaches meditation as a self-help and spiritual growth technique and Buddhism as a way of living and philosophy compatible with all religions. Buddha, he feels, would be considered the founder of psychology, not a religion, if science had been more developed 2600 years ago. Charlie teaches classes, sitting groups, retreats, and guides individuals in their practice.

Retreat: Sponsored by the Des Moines Meditation & Mindfulness Group, this retreat is open to new and experienced meditators. It includes instructions for the sitting, walking, and eating meditations, handouts, and a talk. Paul Lambakis will lead a lovingkindness meditation and provide cushion-sitting instructions. Lunch is provided. Bring a cushion, mat, or meditation bench if you have them. Chairs and a few floor cushions are available. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes. Please do not wear scented lotions or perfumes because some persons may be allergic to them.

Donation: Teachers traditionally lead retreats at no cost because they regard Buddha's teachings as priceless. Instead, they gratefully accept donations or Dana, the Pali word for generosity. Dana is a totally voluntary way of expressing your generosity to the teacher.

Register: Leave your name, phone number, and email at charlesday1@mchsi.com or (515) 255-8398. Please register only if you can attend the entire day. Call or email for more information. Feel free to share and post this flier.

Check out our website at http://www.desmoinesmeditation.org/

Don't Just Do Something, Sit There!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Four Foundations of Mindfulness - Satipathanna Sutta

Meditation Friends: Reprinted below is the flier for a course I'll be teaching from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Wednesdays, May 5,12,19,26 at the Walnut Hills United Methodist Church in Urbandale, IA. Contact Chuck Stewart, not me, at chuck@raiseyourgame.net at 515-491-3604, if you'd like to register. Please share this information with anyone who might be interested. You can also access my full essay on "The Four Foundations of Mindfulness" by clicking here. Peace, Charlie



BUDDHA'S FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS

A Step-by-Step Guide to Enlightenment

Teacher: Charles Day, Meditator and retired Clinical Psychologist

Place: Walnut Hills United Methodist Church, 12321 Hickman Rd.,

Urbandale, IA

Time: 6 – 8 pm, Wednesdays, May 5, 12, 19, 26

Fee: $25

To Register: Contact Chuck Stewart, 515-491-3604 or chuck@raiseyourgame.net

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, or the Satipathanna Sutta, is regarded as the Buddha’s major teaching on specific meditation and other practices that lead to the mystical state called enlightenment or union with God. The Course will include:

1) Guided meditations based on each of the Four Foundations,

  1. Explanations and commentary relating them to the teachings of Buddha
  2. Suggestions for applying them in everyday life,
  3. Handouts, home practice assignments, and class discussions

Open to new and experienced meditators. Participants are asked to commit themselves to meditating at least 20 minutes daily during and following the course.

Recommended Book:

Transformation and Healing: Sutra On the Four Establishments of

Mindfulness, Thich Nhat Hanh, Parallax Press, 1990. Order from local book stores or online at www.amazon.com