Dear Friend,

As we appreciate the shifting of the long, hot summer season into the cooler days of fall, we can reflect on a successful year for Long Beach Meditation so far. Thank you for your support and participation! The value of meditation practice continues to become better known in mainstream culture as people search for ways to reconnect and heal in our hectic world. Our practice is a time-honored medicine for dissolving feelings of separation and promoting interconnectedness. Sitting still is surprisingly powerful! When we practice peace and openness, this is what we share with those around us, benefitting all. We never really know how far these ripples reach, but we can be assured that they are felt far and wide.

Since its inception in 1993—guided by the founder Dr. Victor Byrd—Long Beach Meditation has offered a place of refuge, Dharma teachings, meditation instruction, and a vibrant and diverse community of practitioners to the Greater Long Beach area. Through different locations and, more recently, a change of Guiding Teacher, the Long Beach Meditation Sangha continues to thrive. I am honored to be the current Guiding Teacher. It has been a true privilege to get to know the teachers and members during this last year of working together, connecting, and developing as a Sangha. When I first visited Long Beach Meditation, I was struck by the warm welcome of those in attendance. I continue to see familiar faces at our sits, as well as many newcomers. Our Sangha continues to evolve and as the new Long Beach Meditation takes shape; we are settling into a style of Dharma expression and engagement that is unique. We value the wonderfully broad backgrounds of our teachers and members. Long Beach Meditations’s offering reflects this depth of experience, and each of us is a vital part of this whole!

Thank you for your commitment to supporting Long Beach meditation as a member. Your kindness and engagement with Long Beach Meditation is no small thing. Your generosity and regular financial contributions, including discretionary donations to the dana basket, ensure our organization’s capacity to continue to be of service. Membership of an organization is a well understood concept in our society, but the practice of “dana” or “generous giving” is more challenging to interpret. We are finding out together how to sustain dharma practice in this modern age.

As we move into fall and winter, I am beginning to focus on topics and classes for 2020. If you have a personal area of interest or any comments or suggestions, please let me know. A benefit of your membership is the opportunity for us to meet one-on-one. I would be delighted to connect with you in this way to help support your meditation practice. My email is jokai@longbeachmeditation.org.
Meditation offers an invaluable opportunity to attain our true potential as awake human beings in a suffering world. Your practice matters and your attendance supports others. The three jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha can be translated as Awakening, Teachings, and Community. All three jewels are vital and will be the theme of our upcoming retreat at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center starting Friday, September 20. You are warmly encouraged to attend. Joining together in bringing awareness and kind attention to the present moment, we find true refuge. I look forward to practicing with you and to seeing you again soon. Thank you again for your steadfast support of Long Beach Meditation.

With Appreciation,

Jokai

浄
Jo (Pure)

海
Kai (Ocean)