[UD News] Summer's End
Greetings from Urban Dharma!We hope this summer has been full of blessings for you. With autumn just around the corner, now is a great time to get outside and appreciate the nature around us - like the flowers blooming in our temple's new garden. Earlier in the summer, two of our members, Nat and Kurt, transformed the alley space behind the temple into a garden plot which is now thriving. If you're local, please stop by and check it out. Whether during open hours or one of our regularly scheduled weekly programs, we hope to see you here soon. And, just as a heads up- Save the Date: November 1stMark your calendars for Saturday, November 1st for a special community event. More details to follow soon! Volunteers NeededUrban Dharma is looking for volunteers to assist with coverage for open hours Monday through Friday from 2:00-5:00 PM. If you're looking for a way to give back, volunteering to hold the temple space for visitors is a great way to do so! Read what one of our volunteers, Colby, has to say about his experience: My name is Colby, and I’ve been volunteering at Urban Dharma on Thursdays since early 2023. Weekday volunteering consists of cleaning, taking out trash, and caring for the shrines, but mostly allowing the space to be open from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. This is a time when anyone can come in and use the space for meditation, studying, or tea and conversation. Volunteering on Thursdays has been beneficial for me in many ways. It has been a time for contemplation and strengthening my practice with meditation, reading, and mindful cleaning. But my favorite part of volunteering has been the people who have come in during that time and the conversations I’ve had with them. These conversations have helped me grow and understand things in new ways and from different perspectives. I feel very fortunate to have this space and sangha that continues to grow in the heart of West Asheville. - Colby If you're interested in this opportunity, please contact Kurt at (786) 302-6169. Host a Buddhist Exchange StudentThis fall, CIEE, a nonprofit that places high school exchange students with volunteer host families, is seeking welcoming families in North Carolina for three wonderful students from Thailand who are excited to share their culture, language, and Buddhist values while experiencing American family life. About Hosting:
Providing a home-stay experience is a great way to learn about and share in other cultures, and opens the door for making lifelong connections. If you or someone you know might be interested in opening their home to one of these students, please reach out to Diana Browne at dbrowne@ciee.org or (480) 620-1765 for more information. October 23rd: Zen Flute MeditationPlease join us on the evening of October 23rd for a special performance and meditation guided by Shakuhachi (Zen Flute) practitioner Travis Roman. The Shakuhachi has direct connection to the Meditation and Zen practice, at one point in history enjoying a dedicated school of Zen Mindfulness practice. Travis is offering a Mindfulness Session of Suizen (blowing meditation); the session includes a brief discussion regarding the history of the Shakuhachi and breath work techniques. The Shakuhachi, when applied with proper intention, is a pure mindfulness tool that takes the listener on a contemplative journey of enlightenment. Unlike other sound healing/baths that involve numerous combinations of sounds and instruments, this experience focuses on simplicity and minimalism at the center the mind. All are welcome to attend! |
Urban Dharma
Our apologies—the previous email provided the incorrect date for Open Sangha. Words for the Week Some do not believe in cyclic existence but winter, spring, summer and fall is all cyclic existence.Some do not believe in karmic cause and effect but yesterday, today and tomorrow is all karmic cause and effect.Some do not believe in everything is mind, but when the heart-mind moves and happiness or suffering turns up, it is all mind.-Dorlöp Rinpoché Dr. Hun Lye Thursday Open Sangha - Dr. Lye...
Completely Victorious in Battling the Lord of Death A Marpa Tradition Sādhana of Uṣṇīṣavijaya Together withthe Thousand-Offerings compiled by HH Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoché We will be gathering as a community to perform the Thousand-Offerings of Uṣṇīṣavijayā (Namgyal Tongchö) on the weekend of August 2 & 3. You are cordially invited to join us in person at our temple is Asheville, NC or via Zoom. Please register NOW at: https://udharmanc.com/thousand-offerings/We will send out the PDF...
Words for the Week Do not let others’ mindless or unintentional words, hold your emotional well-being hostage for the rest of your day. Do not let a few disagreeable things dim your aspirations for life. Your life is yours—not everyone needs to understand you. There is even less of a need to rely on others’ mouth for your self-understanding. The pain that doesn’t really belong to you—learn to pay no heed to it. The people who are insincere with you—learn to quietly distance yourself. With...