Triangle Insight Meditation Community triangleinsight.org

Greetings to All!

This month we continue to explore the third aggregate of the Noble Eightfold Pathas we take a look at the seventh path factor of wise mindfulness (sati). If you askpeople what brought them to meditation, most of them would probably say, at leastin our current time, that it was something they heard, saw, or read aboutmindfulness. Since a plethora of media platforms -- from popular to spiritual toscientific -- are currently replete with articles or video's on mindfulness, it behoovesus to have a clear understanding of what the Buddha meant by this term, andparticularly why he deemed it to be wise.

Buddhist scholars can be helpful for this purpose, elucidating the nuances of theancient texts which are felt to be the closest thing we have to what the Buddha hadto say on this subject. One scholar, Andrew Olendzki, has written a relativelyshort, albeit comprehensive article titled "The Real Practice of Mindfulness""The Real Practice of Mindfulness" in

which he turns to the Abhidharma to get a more precise consideration of thequestion, "what is mindfulness?" After giving an overview of the nature ofconsciousness and the variety of mental factors that arise with it, he delved into thisimportant question, giving us some useful and encouraging information.

Olendzki offers the following from the Abhidharma: unlike ordinary attention,which is a universal mental factor always present in any moment of consciousness,mindfulness is an occasional mental factor, i.e., not routinely present, arising onlyunder special circumstances and with this fourfold definition:

1) its characteristic is not wobbling, or keeping the mind from floating away fromits object; 2) its function is absence of confusion, or non-forgetfulness; 3) its manifestation is the state of confronting an objective phenomenal field; &4) its immediate cause is strong perception or the four foundations of mindfulness (i.e., body, feeling, consciousness, and mental objects).

We thus see that in order for mindfulness to arise it must come from the practice ofsatipatthana, the four foundations of mindfulness, which can lead to a "strongperception" of these phenomena (see Joseph Goldstein's recent book,Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to AwakeningMindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening ). Olendzki also notes thatmindfulness is a wholesome mental factor that co-arises with 18 other wholesomemental factors, and suggests we view them all as facets of the same jewel. It'sencouraging to know that as long as they are present, none of the 14 unwholesomemental factors will be present in that mind moment. And more importantly, whenany one of them does arise, as they inevitably will, we can learn, with practice, toregard them with mindfulness rather than to become lost in them or carried away bythem. As soon as we are relating in this way to the unwholesome rather than fromit, we skillfully return to a wholesome mind moment, and then can use our powers ofdiscernment to note the difference.

Finally, why is mindfulness considered wise? Olendzki points out that wisdom is nota universal wholesome factor, thus does not arise automatically with mindfulnessand the rest. Since mindfulness helps us to see things as they really are, this insight(another word for wisdom)must be joined with mindfulness in order to bring about asignificant change in our understanding. Perhaps this is why Leigh Brasington

invites us after every meditation period to reflect on what insights emerged -- a verywise move! Olendski sums it up as follows: "two things are clear: there can scarcelybe a more noble capability of the mind than mindfulness, and its cultivation mustsurely be one of the more beneficial things we can do as human beings."

May our practice of mindfulness join with insight and transform our understandingof self, other, and the world in which we live.

Phyllis Hicks, Cynthia Hughey, Jeanne van Gemert, and Ron Vereen

SittingOpportunities

TI Wednesday

Meditation Group

Insight Dialogue atTriangle Insight

TI MorningMeditation

Buddhist Families ofDurham

Duke Cancer Center

Recovery Group

Other Resources

UpcomingClasses and

Events

An Evening with Jeff

Triangle InsightMeditation Groups

All levels of meditation experience are welcome and theteachings are offered free of charge, with donationsaccepted to cover costs of using the facility and to supportthe study of the teachers. Please review our sanghaguidelines before arriving. We also wish to maintain ahypoallergenic space, so please avoid wearing scents,colognes or perfumes. If you would like to submit items forinclusion in this newsletter, please review the newsletter guidelines.

Schedule: Wednesday Evenings6:30 - 8:00 PM(Insight Dialogue from 6:30 - 8:30 PM) March 2: Ron VereenMarch 9: Jeff Brantley (Guest Teacher)March 16: Jeanne van GemertMarch 23: Phyllis Hicks (Insight Dialogue)March 30: Dave Hughey

April 6: Janet Surrey (Guest Teacher)April 13: Ron VereenApril 20: Jeanne van GemertApril 27: Continuing the Conversation with Betsy Barton Monday and Thursday Morning Meditation 7:00 - 7:45 AM (click here for more info)

Daylong MeditationSaturday, April 10th

Brantley

An Evening withJanet Surrey

Continuing theConversation with

Betsy Barton

Organizing AgainstRacism Workshops

Awakening Joy

Online Courses withJames Baraz

UpcomingRetreatsThe Path of

Awakening Together

Dwelling in theDharma

August Retreat TBAon Insight Dialogue

Goings on in theSangha

Spiritual Friends

Groups

Organizing AgainstRacism Workshops

The Shramadana

Project

A Volunteer Initiativeof Triangle Insight

SpiritualFriends Groups

Racial Affinity and

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (click here for more info) Episcopal Center at Duke 505 Alexander Ave. Durham, NC 27705

An Evening with Jeff BrantleyBeing the Knowing: Discovering theTransformative Power of Resting inAwareness in Everyday Life

This talk will focus on the naturalness and immediacy ofmindfulness, and the power for liberating insight toemerge when one meets the constantly changing sensoryexperience of everyday living from the position ofawareness.

Jeff Brantley, M.D., is one of the founding facultymembers of Duke Integrative Medicine, where he startedthe Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program in 1998.He is also a member of the Community of Scholars of theCenter for Spirituality, Theology, and Health at DukeUniversity. He is a Consulting Associate in the Departmentof Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke MedicalCenter, and teaches intensive courses on mindfulnessmeditation and conducts extensive experiential programsand group lectures.

Dr. Brantley is the author of Calming Your Anxious Mind:How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You fromAnxiety, Fear, and Panic and is the co-author, with WendyMillstine, of the Five Good Minutes series and DailyMeditations for Calming Your Anxious Mind, and mostrecently, Calming Your Angry Mind: How Mindfulness andCompassion Can Free You from Anger and Bring Peace toYour Life. Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Episcopal Center at Duke505 Alexander Ave. Durham, NC 27705 6:30PM-8:00PM

^Top

An Evening with Janet Surreyon The Buddha's WifeJan will be introducing the fictional story of The Buddha'sWife: The Path of Awakening Together, published in2015. What do we know of the Buddha's young wifeYasodhara and their newborn son Rahula after he left home,

Kalyana Mitta

Ongoing Classesand Events

Mindfulness

Awareness Trainingwith Tamara Share

PhD

MindfulnessPrograms at Duke

Integrative Medicine

MindfulnessPrograms at UNC

Integrative Medicine

it is told, on the night of his son's birth, to seek liberation?We will explore this question and more as we dive into thepotential for our relationships and how we, as a communityand individuals, can awaken together. For more informationabout the book, click on the title above. Janet Surrey, Ph.D., is a recognized teacher of InsightDialogue as taught by Gregory Kramer. She lives in theBoston area and is on the Faculty and Board of the Institutefor Meditation and Psychotherapy. She is also a FoundingScholar of the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at theWellesley College Stone Center. Jan taught the New Year'sRetreat with Phyllis in 2015. We are delighted to welcomeher back. Wednesday, April 6th, 2016 Episcopal Center at Duke6:30 - 8:30 PM

^Top

The Path of Awakening Together An Insight Dialogue Day of Practice with Janet Surrey and Phyllis Hicks

This day long retreat will introduce the meditationguidelines of Insight Dialogue and offer an opportunity toexperience the possibilities of a fully engaged co-meditationpractice. We will explore the origins of suffering withinrelationship as well as the great potential for cultivatingthe mental factors of awakening while in relationship,including mindfulness, concentration,equanimity, and lovingkindness. We will investigate Speaking and Listening asmeditative practices held and nourished by the deepfoundation of silent practice.

The retreat will be held in Noble Silence with periods ofsilent practice and Insight Dialogue practice in dyads andsmall groups. Contemplations from Jan's book, TheBuddha's Wife:the Path of Awakening Together, will beoffered. Devotional practice to particular relationships inour lives as parents, friends, partners and adult children willbe explored as whole life relational practices and a part ofthe Eightfold Path.

Beginners for Insight Dialogue are welcome, and some priormeditation experience is recommended. This activity isbeing offered free of charge, with donations accepted tocover the cost of using the facility and to support the studyand practice of the teachers. Please bring your own lunch onSaturday. Refrigeration and a microwave are available asneeded. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided by TriangleInsight.

To make our preparations we are asking you to pre-registerif you plan to attend. Upon registering, you will thenreceive guidelines on how to approach the retreat, alongwith a proposed schedule.

For more information or to register, please contact Mary atmkgrigsby28@gmail.com (when registering, pleaseinclude your full name and telephone contact information inthe email). Saturday, April 9th, 2016 Episcopal Center at Duke9:00AM-5:00PM

^ Top

Continuing the Conversationwith Betsy Barton

Triangle Insight has now screened the two documentarieson Consider the Conversation, and it was clear that theyhave inspired dialogue among us around patient-centeredcare with respect to end of life concerns. There has been arobust response in the interest to continue the conversation,now with 35 of us signing up to receive ongoing informationas to how this may unfold. If you would like to be includedon the list please let us know at info@triangleinsight.org.

As we learned from Betsy after our two screenings, we havea number of choices as to the direction we may take thisinquiry. We would like to invite you to again join Betsy andthe sangha as she skillfully guides us in exploring this topic,trusting in the wisdom that emerges from the group. Wednesday, April 27th, 2016Episcopal Center at Duke6:30 - 8:00PM

^Top

Dwelling in the Dharma: Integrating Study and Practice A Memorial Day Weekend Residential Retreat with Jeanne van Gemert and Ron Vereen

In one sutta from the ancient texts, AN 5.73, the Buddhawas asked "to what extent is one who dwells in theDharma?" After enumerating the intellectual dimensions ofstudy, teaching, recitation, and examination of the Dharma,the Buddha emphasized the practice of "seclusion." Hestated that when committing oneself to "internal tranquilityof awareness, ...this is one who dwells in the Dharma." So,

how do we find and maintain a balance between study andpractice? It appears the Buddha is telling us that if we'regoing to study, it must be informed by practice.

This residential retreat offers the opportunity to explore thisbalance in more depth, and to see for ourselves why theBuddha placed emphasis on practice. Time will be devotedto study and practice, the bulk of which will focus on formsof mindfulness meditation that can lead to the directexperience of internal tranquility of awareness, of dwellingin the Dharma, of opening to the formless. We will also seehow the very suttas from which these teachings haveemerged can be used as guided meditations for practice.

Open to participants with all levels of meditation experience,this retreat will be conducted in Noble Silence, guided bywise view and intention so as to create a container tosupport wise effort, mindfulness, and concentration. Inaddition to the forms of practice, group interviews with theteachers will provide further opportunity to integrate studyand practice.

Jeanne van Gemert and Ron Vereen have many years ofmeditation experience and are co-founders of the TriangleInsight Meditation Community, graduates of the Spirit RockCommunity Dharma Leader Program, and instructors in theDuke Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program.

Cost of the Retreat:

Small Single Occupancy: $305 ($330 after 4/28/16)Large Single Occupancy: $330 ($355 after 4/28/16)Double Occupancy: $285 ($310 after 4/28/16)

(fees include 3 nights lodging with meals)

To Register go to: Dwelling in the Dharma

For more information, contact Leah at:leah@triangleinsight.org

Note: Some financial assistance will be possible for thisretreat, and if you are interested in being considered,contact Leah at the email above)

One intention for Triangle Insight is to have no one turnedaway from any of our events for financial reasons, which issupported by the generosity of our sangha. If you wouldlike to contribute to our scholarship fund, please clickhere.

Avila Retreat Center 711 Mason Road, Durham, NC Friday, May 26th - Sunday, May 29th, 2016

^Top

Save the Dates: August 9-14, 2016 A Five-Day, Residential, Insight DialogueRetreat, with Phyllis Hicks

Triangle Insight will be offering a five day, residential,Insight Dialogue retreat with Phyllis Hicks August 9ththrough the 14th at Avila in Durham.

Information about registration will be available in thenext newsletter.

Avila Retreat Center711 Mason RoadDurham, NC 27712Tuesday, Aug. 9th - Sunday, Aug. 14th

^Top

The Shramadana Project A Recent Update on the Volunteer Initiative of Triangle Insight The Shramadana Project (SP) is a volunteer initiative of theTriangle Insight Meditation Community that has beenorganized to address some of the needs within the sangha,as well as to provide outreach to the community-at-large. Mary Mudd, the current coordinator of the SP, has recentlyconvened two meetings of this group to explore ways tomeet the needs of our growing sangha and to assess thegroup's interest in outreach to the community-at-large. Weencourage you to review the minutes of both meetings:11/18/15 and 1/13/16, where you will learn more aboutthese worthwhile and exciting initiatives of the sangha, oneof which is the formation of a listserv so as to connect moreefficiently among ourselves. Barbara Shumannfang hascompiled a list of community organizations seekingvolunteers to further their missions of nonviolence, racialand social equity, and supporting youth. The hope is this willbe a way to connect us, both within the sangha and in thecommunity, in a variety of volunteer efforts. As we are now into 2016, many activities on the horizon willneed the sangha's support for implementation, includingMedia Night, the retreats in May and October, Days ofPractice (the next one is April 9th), and others that pertainto our recent exploration of issues around diversity in thesangha and end-of-life concerns.

If you would like to experience the fruits of service to thesangha, and are not already on the member list of the SP,

please contact Mary at mary@triangleinsight.org. Themeetings will be held quarterly, with the next one to bescheduled in April, so stay tuned!

If beings knew, as I know, the results of givingand sharing, they would not eat without having given..."

the Buddha

^ Top

Organizing Against Racism NCWorkshops Being Offered

In response to our efforts to engage the Buddhist teachingsaround the issues of Racial Justice and Diversity, we wouldlike to recommend the training opportunities availablethrough OARNC as a first step in this investigation. Severalmembers of Triangle Insight have already participated inthese workshops and they come highly recommended. Afew more from the sangha and other Buddhist communitiesin the Triangle are planning to attend the Phase I eventsscheduled for early 2016, and you are encouraged toparticipate if interested. If three or more attend an eventfrom our sangha, you will each get a discount on the fee forbeing a part of the Triangle Insight Meditation Community.

TI is contributing $500 to start a scholarship fund for thispurpose, and the community is invited to join the initiativeby contributing specifically to the scholarship fund. Thefund will be available to support TI community members inattending OARNC or other similar trainings. The goal of theinitiative is to help individuals and the community to deepentheir understanding of the way the mind and humansystems are limited by unexamined views of race. Thescholarships will be available on a case by case basis to helpsupplement the cost of registration. To contribute nowthrough PayPal, please donate here.

The plan at present is to keep a log of those from oursangha who participate in these trainings, and then toconvene a meeting of this core group of individuals todiscuss ideas about the best way forward. The Phase IItrainings are designed to assist us in bringing thisknowledge back to our community so as to guide us moreskillfully in addressing these issues in our own community.For a description of the Phase I & II trainings you may clickhere.

Please contact us at info@triangleinsight.org if you: 1) have any questions about this initiative; 2) would like tobe considered for a scholarship; 3) want to contributetoward a scholarship; and 4) wish to be a part of the coregroup to discuss our plans after completing the trainings.

OARNC A variety of times and dates in Durham & Chapel HillEach workshop is two days, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PMCost: $275 ($225 with 3+ discount; student $175) and includes breakfast and lunch

^ Top

Spiritual Friends Groupsxx

Having admirable people as friends, companions, andcolleagues is actually the whole of the holy life.

~ The Buddha

In "The Fertile Soil of Sangha," excerpted from hisbook, Cultivating the Mind of Love, Thich Nhat Hanhwrites of the special importance of sangha. "You cannotachieve enlightenment by locking yourself in your room.Transformation is possible only when you are intouch...Taking refuge in the sangha means putting yourtrust in a community of solid members who practicemindfulness together." The experiences of our groupmembers and the blossoming of our groups are beautifulexpressions of the heart's longing for spiritual communityand the awakening it supports. Kalyana Mitta GroupsWe currently have openings in two KM groups, our Raleighgroup and a new group, Rethinking Buddhism for aSecular Age. We're grateful to Justin Adams, whodeveloped this group, and excited about the interest it hasalready generated. If you would like to join either of thesegroups, start a new group, or be on the waiting list for theCH-Carrboro, Durham, or Insight Dialogue groups, pleasesend the KM-RA Questionnaire to Sarah Tillis, KMCoordinator. For more information about any of our KMGroups, please talk with Sarah, visit our KM web page, oremail Sarah at sarah@triangleinsight.org. Racial Affinity Groups We now have four Racial Affinity groups. The commitment ofour sangha to Engaged Buddhism and this important andchallenging work is truly inspiring. Three of the groups, twoin Durham and one in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, still haveopenings. Ruth King's Group Guidelines will providevaluable guidance for each group's mindful sharing.Additional information and resources are on our RacialAffinity Groups web page. If you have questions orsuggestions, please talk to Sarah Tillis, KM Coordinator, oremail her at sarah@triangleinsight.org.

The KM Coordinating Team of Sarah Tillis, Tamara Share,Tom Howlett, and Jeanne van Gemert is very grateful forthe commitment of our community. May our Kalyana Mitta

and Racial Affinity groups be of great benefit to all.

^Top

Triangle InsightMorning Meditation Group

This early morning sitting group led by Ron Vereen meetsMondays and Thursdays from 7:00 - 7:45 AM. The groupbegins with silent, unguided practice, with Ron giving aguided heart practice during the last 10-15 minutes. Thereis no charge for participation, and donations are accepted.For more info contact Ron at ron@triangleinsight.org. Important note: Only four parking spaces in the parkinglot at the Episcopal Center are designated for our use at thishour and are clearly marked. Overflow parking can be foundon the west side of Alexander Ave.

Monday and Thursday MorningsEpiscopal Center at Duke 505 Alexander Ave. Durham, NC 277057:00 - 7:45 AM

^Top

Awakening Joy & Awakeing Joy 2.0 Online Courses with James Baraz and OthersThere are now two courses to awaken joy, taught by JamesBaraz along with renowned guest teachers. James has beenoffering Awakening Joy since 2003, and now offersAwakening Joy 2.0 in addition to the basic course, in whichhe will go deeper into three of the ten steps to awakeningjoy: Loving Ourselves, Connection with Others, andCompassionate Action.

For more information or to register, please visit the Awakening Joy Website. Begin Anytime in 2016Every Two Weeks for Five Months

^ Top

The Practice of Insight Dialogue at Triangle Insight

Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal meditation practice andis offered at Triangle Insight once monthly, usually on thefourth Wednesday of the month. It brings the mindfulnessand tranquility of silent meditation directly into ourexperience with other people. The new website for InsightDialogue is an excellent resource for learning more aboutthe practice: www.metta.org.

The evening begins with silent meditation practice, followedby gentle mindful movement, and then shifting into dyadpractice where interpersonal mindfulness is explored with apartner in response to a contemplation that is offered. Thedyad practice is optional so that anyone who chooses toremain in silent practice may do so, rather than shifting intodyad practice. One can investigate the guidance of thecontemplation internally, noticing the moment by momentunfolding of internal experience. Also note that the IDpractice goes from 6:30 to 8:30 PM to allow for morespaciousness and time for questions. We hope you will beable to join us.

Fourth Wednesdays(unless otherwise indicated) Triangle Insight, Episcopal Center at Duke6:30 - 8:30 PM

^Top

Goings-on in the Sangha This space is where sangha members may announce timelyactivities for everyone to view, such as study groups, socialgatherings, and any classes or other events that youconsider relevant to the mission of our sangha.

If you would like to include something, please submityour request by the 20th of each month toinfo@triangleinsight.org.

The Shramadana Project The Shramadana Project (SP) is a volunteer initiative of theTriangle Insight Meditation Community to address some ofthe needs within the sangha for service and to provideoutreach to the community-at-large. See the longerreport in this newsletter for more information and links tothe minutes of previous meetings.

Kalyana Mitta News

*Spiritual Friends Groups. In addition to current KM AffinityGroups, we are now forming Racial Affinity Groups. Pleasesee the report in this newsletter for these developments. Committee: Jeanne van Gemert, Tom Howlett, TamaraShare and Sarah Tillis.

Organizing Against Racism Workshops

*Intensive, long-range preparation and outreach. See theannouncement in this newsletter for more information andregistration. In Durham and Chapel Hill. Scholarships maybe requested.

^Top

Mindfulness Awareness Training with Tamara Share, PhD

Tamara Share will be offering an ongoing group fordeveloping skills in mindfulness awareness practices. Thegroup will meet twice monthly, and is open to those 18years of age and older. A pre-group consultation isrequired, and you may contact Tamara at 919-442-1118.The cost is $45/session if pre-paid in 6 session blocks($270), or $60 if paid per session (sliding scale available). Tamara L. Share, PhD is a Counseling Psychologist withmore than 20 years of training and experience in humandevelopment, group facilitation, and personal growth. Tamara's diverse background includes education/training inphysics, psychology, wellness, philosophy, andcomplementary approaches to healthcare.

2nd and 4th Thursdays HRC, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry100 Europa Dr., Suite 260, Chapel Hill 275174:45 - 6:00 PM

^Top

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Classes & Eventsat Duke Integrative Medicine Please click on the following link for a variety ofprograms related to the practice of mindfulness:

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Classes,

Workshops & Events

or call 919-660-6826 for more information.

^Top

Mindfulness Programs at UNC Integrative Medicine

Please click on the following link for a variety of programsrelated to the practice of mindfulness: UNC Program on Integrative Medicine or call 919-966-8586 for more information.

^ Top

Buddhist Families of Durham

Currently consisting of ~ 16 families, this group is dedicatedto creating a warm, loving community for parents andchildren to learn and practice together. Adults meet for onehour for meditation and discussion, while the children learnabout meditation and Buddhism in Sati School with ourmarvelous (non-parent-member) teachers.

For more information,visit:Buddhist Families of Durham

Sunday Mornings10:30AM-12:00 noonplease contact Sumi Loundon Kim for detailsemail: admin@buddhistfamiliesofdurham.com

^Top

Duke Cancer Center

This open meditation period begins with 10 min. ofinstruction, 15 min. of silent practice, and 5 min. ofdiscussion/reflection. Various meditation practitioners fromthe community are invited to come and lead these weeklysessions. For more info contact Jon Seskevich at 919-681-3989 or Annette Olsen at 919-684-2843.

Monday Afternoons 12:30 - 1:00 PM

The Quiet Room, Main LevelDuke Cancer Center

^Top

Recovery Group a Buddhist Perspective on the Twelve StepProgramThe meetings begin and end with silent meditation. Formore information contact Zensetter@gmail.com.

Tuesday Nights7:30 - 8:45 PMChapel Hill Zen Center5322 NC Hwy 86Chapel Hill, NC 27516

^Top

Other Resources In addition to Triangle Insight, there are a variety of othermeditation opportunities of which we would like for you tobe aware. Rather than list them all here, we wanted to pointyou to the "links" section of our website at TriangleInsight. There are other sitting groups in the communitywhose practice is similar to ours, as well as resources forretreat centers and other websites, both locally andnationally. We do not offer an endorsement of these sites,but rather a suggestion for your exploration to see if anymay have useful information to support your practice ofinsight meditation.

For any questions please contact us atinfo@triangleinsight.org

^Top

Triangle Insight is a Non-Profit

In December 2011 we announced our classification as anon-profit with the State of North Carolina, and in May 2013we received our designation as a 501(c)(3) religiousorganization by the IRS. All contributions received by theTriangle Insight Meditation Community are tax-exempt tothe extent of the provisions of this designation. If youwould like to donate to our organization please contact us atinfo@triangleinsight.org.

^Top

Forward email

This email was sent to rlvereen@aol.com by info@triangleinsight.org | Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | About our service provider.

Triangle Insight | www.triangleinsight.org | Durham - Chapel Hill - Raleigh | NC | 27516