Nyinthun - "Day of Practice"

by Roland Cohen

I want to encourage people in their practice. Generally we find ourselves speeding along coping with the demands of our lives, be they family, school, work, out of work, relationships, not to mention the endless list of things we would like to accomplish, from a book we want to read, all the domestic demands, bills, cleaning, repairs, the list is endless. Then there are the enjoyments we want; movies, DVDs, meals out, tramping, working out, time alone, relaxation, another endless list. So where does meditation fit in? As we know, daily sitting even for a short period is the most important thing, but intensive practice is also necessary. According to our lineage periodic "retreats" are essential. They deepen our connection to ourselves and our lives, we can wake up to our ordinary world. Retreats are where we take time to go deep - deep into the essence of our lives which sheds light on all those things, those lists of things we would like to accomplish. It is we, ourselves, who would like to accomplish those things, enjoy those things. Our relationship with ourselves determines how we relate, how we accomplish, whether we can see the subtleties, the details of our world and whether we really open our hearts to ourselves and others. Nyinthun or "days of practice" were begun for us by Chogyam Trungpa and continue with Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche as a way for people living in the world with families and jobs to have an ongoing spiritual path that deepens over time. Of course there are other elements too, but nyinthun is like a day of practice that puts us on track, gives us time and space to settle down, which takes time and keeps us in contact with our deeper intentions, the depths of our minds. Our "mind" includes our heart, where we find meaning. So please sit. There was a time when all that Chogyam Trungpa would say to us over and over was "please sit, please sit". Nyinthun is observed with either a half day or a full day of practice and happens twice a month on a Sunday starting at 9.30 am.

Dates as follows: 20 July (Full Day)