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

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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

Festive Blessings from Poppy Seeds

Dear friends,

The festive season is almost upon us, so we are writing with some dates for the calendar over the next few weeks. 

 

We will be taking a break over Christmas and New Year so there will be NO SANGHA on Thursday 28th December and Thursday 4th January. We will recommence on Thursday 11th of January 2018. 

We are planning a Mindfulness Morning on Sunday 14th January, 9.30-1.30pm at Westbank. Please pop the date in your diary, details to follow!

 

Please don’t forget our wonderful Winter Retreat in Forres (8th-11th February) organised by the Sanghas in the north of Scotland. It is a wonderful opportunity to nourish and deepen our practice in fabulous surroundings. Spaces are going fast so do book while you can! 

 

Finally, all that remains is to wish you and yours a nourishing time over the festive season. May it bring you peace, happiness and joy. We came across these lovely Gatha’s in the December edition of Lion’s Roar last year, I hope you find them helpful. https://www.lionsroar.com/have-a-very-buddhist-christmas/

 

“Advent
In this season of holy longing, with the help of all beings, may I rest in the equanimity of practice.

Solstice
As the days become shorter and darkness deepens, may I honour the rhythm of rest and gestation the earth teaches me.

Shopping
May I walk mindfully amid distraction, attraction, neediness, and panic, remembering that peace is every step.

Giving a gift
In this season of high expectations, may I lovingly offer what is truly needed.

Visiting and welcoming
In this season of hospitality, may I seek that of Buddha in all encounters.

Lighting a candle
I honour the wisdom of my ancestors and teachers. With the help of all beings, I vow to open my heart to illumination.”

We are looking forward to another year of practice together and nurturing our Sangha body in 2018. 

 

A lotus to you,

 

From all of us at Poppy Seed Sangha

 

Poppy Seed Sangha meet on Thursday evenings, 7.90-9pm, at Westbank Natural Health Centre in Strathmiglo, Fife and practice mindfulness together in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. 

Remembering Cathy

A few photos here from the Aspirant and Order Member retreat at Wiston Lodge last weekend. We had a beautiful tree planting ceremony for Cathy Bache, our dear friend and Poppy Seed founder, who passed away in the summer. We came together to share memories, silence and song around this precious oak tree under the blue winter sky and the beautiful surroundings of Wiston.