One Buddha is not Enough

The monastic-led retreat on Holy Isle was a great success, so wonderful to gather together with friends, old and new, in such a beautiful setting.

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Love Will Take Us: A Day of Mindfulness & Stories (Sat 27th April)

Dear Sangha friends,

We can now can confirm details of our Mindfulness Day with Janie Ellen Combelic on Saturday 27th April, 10-3pm. Please see the FB link and info below….

The event will take place at our usual Sangha venue of Westbank in Strathmiglo.

https://www.facebook.com/events/336861643597855/

“You are invited to a nourishing and relaxing day with writer, storyteller and mindfulness teacher Janie Ellen Combelic. Come hear stories from her recent book, No Coming No Going, about the year she – and her dog, Serafina – spent on a farm near Plum Village in southern France, studying with Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh. We will experience and discuss one of the most meaningful practices from Plum Village: deep listening and speaking from the heart, sharing that most precious of gifts, our presence. Everyone is welcome, from any faith tradition or none. Jane Ellen Combelic is a long-time student of Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, and former editor of his magazine The Mindfulness Bell. Originally from Colorado, she now lives near Findhorn in Scotland.”

If you would like to join us please let us know by emailing Orla at orla.beaton@btinternet.com so that we can keep track of numbers. Thank you! On the day we would request a donation to cover the rental of the hall at Westbank and Dana for our teacher but please don’t let this stop you from coming along. Please bring a small amount of vegetarian food to share for lunch as well as your own plate/ bowl and cutlery. We will provide teas & coffees. Please also bring your own meditation cushion/ stool & blanket if you have them but not to worry if you don’t we have a few spare and some chairs.

We look forward to welcoming Janie to Poppy Seeds very much and hope you see you there!

With a smile of happiness, Poppy Seeds

No coming, no going …

As another year draws to a close we wanted to wish all of our Sangha friends near & far, past & present …Yuletide Blessings of peace & happiness for the festive time.

This evening is that last Sangha gathering of 2018 and we will begin again on Thursday 10th January 2019.

A lotus to you,

From all of us at Poppy Seed Sangha

Cherry Tree Lodge

Poppy Seed facilitators, Alison, Karen, Maggie, Orla  & Paloma  had a wonderful day of nourishment yesterday at Cherry Tree Lodge (Saline, Fife) a precious opportunity to come together in a beautiful place, to practice mindfulness and to share from the heart. We felt really held by the folks at Cherry Tree and appreciated all the love & care that went into our day.

Active Hope Retreat at Wiston Lodge

Another wonderful summer retreat at Wiston Lodge has ended. It was a fantastic few days connecting with old friends, meeting new ones, camping in the wonderful grounds (52 acres!), being nourished by the delicious food and the insightful Dharma talks from Br Phap Vu. Here we are all together at the end of the retreat ….until next time!

 

 

Next “Be Calm, Be Happy” Course

** Please note that this course is now FULL. We plan to offer another later in the year. Watch this space.**

Dear friends,

 

Happy New Year to you all! I hope that you had a restful time over the holidays. 

 

I am delighted to say that we have set the dates for our next “Be Calm, Be Happy” Introduction to Mindfulness Course, starting on Saturday 24th February at Westbank Natural Health Centre in Strathmiglo, North Fife. It will run for 5 weeks on Saturdays, 10-12.30, with the last two sessions combined into a full day of Mindfulness on Saturday 24th March (10-4). For parents these are the weekends between half-term and the Easter school holidays. 

 

You can find tickets and more information here …

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/be-calm-be-happy-a-short-course-in-mindfulness-fife-tickets-41599002737#tickets

 

This course is suitable for anyone who is new to Mindfulness but also wonderful for those looking to refresh and deepen their practice. “Be Calm, Be Happy” courses are coordinated centrally by the Community of Interbeing and are run across the UK. 

 

If you have any questions regarding the course please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. I would be very grateful too if you could share this with your family, friends and colleagues who may be interested in learning about  Mindfulness this spring. 

 

I will leave you with this feedback from a 2017 course participant on what they gained from the course …

 

“More insight into myself; changed habits; new ways of coping; a feeling of support; stopping and resting at times; a sense of peace at times; increased gratitude; a sense of new ways of being.”

 

Sending warm blessings this new Monday. 

 

With a bow of gratitude, Orla

 

Orla Beaton

Guiding Burn of the Heart

Poppy Seed Sangha, Fife

Mindfulness Morning – Sun 14 January 18

Dear friends, 

As promised, some more information on our Mindfulness Morning on Sunday 14th January. It will be a precious opportunity to come back to ourselves after the busy festive season and nourish seeds of mindfulness & happiness as we move into the new calendar year. We will enjoy the practices of guided meditation, walking meditation (outside in the orchard if possible), mindful movement and deep relaxation together, ending with a shared mindful lunch, aiming to finish at 1.30pm. Please aim to arrive for a prompt start at 9.30am.

When: Sunday 14th January – 9:30am to 1:30pm
Where: Westbank Natural Health Centre, Strathmiglo, Fife
Booking: Please email Orla at orla.beaton@btinternet.com to let us know that you are coming so we can keep track of numbers. 
Cost: The event is free but donations in the spirit of Dana are welcome to help pay for the venue hire (suggested £5 – £10), please don’t let this be a barrier to coming along.
Bring: Small amount of vegetarian food to share at lunch, a plate and cutlery. We have a few cushions, mats, chairs and blankets but if you have your own cushion/ stool and blanket please bring them with you for comfort. Warm socks and slippers are nice at this time of year and if you have a yoga or camping mat please bring this too for deep relaxation. Please also bring a warm coat and sturdy shoes for walking outdoors.

We hope to see you there!

With a breath and a smile,

Orla, Karen & Paloma

Poppy Seed Sangha