About Beautiful Continuation of the Source
Meeting the Dharma, Here & Now
On Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 3 p.m. U.S. Central Standard Time, I received The Three Refuges and The Five Mindfulness Trainings in the Plum Village Tradition of Engaged Buddhism founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh via an online ceremony as a member of Joyful Mountain Sangha.
The ceremony was conducted beautifully by The Heart Sangha of Santa Cruz, CA, led by Dharma teachers Jim and Natasha, and supported by many additional members of the Order of Interbeing.
I received the Dharma name “Beautiful Continuation of the Source,” which reminds me of my aspiration statement and the third training. It was a joy to receive the trainings with dear sangha siblings, Donald and Felicity. I’m sincerely grateful to all the sangha siblings and friends, like Lorelei and Kim, who attended to support us.
The entire ceremony moved me, but especially this part of the Second Mindfulness Training on True Happiness: “…I will share my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. I will practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are not separate from my own happiness and suffering; that true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion; and that running after wealth, fame, power, and sensual pleasures can bring much suffering and despair. I am aware that happiness depends on my mental attitude and not on external conditions and that I can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering that I already have more than enough conditions to be happy.”
It made me think of my mother, father, and sister and brought me to happy and grateful tears, knowing that I continue them. And, I’m joyful because I know I am and will be continued beautifully by my stepchildren and grandchildren, among many others.
My aspiration statement: “My deep aspiration for my practice is to realize I am enough. I wish to live without striving to be the best or perfect. From now on, I want to offer to my family, my friends and co-workers, and my sangha, my true self, by taking care of the present moment. I want to live my life well, heal old wounds, and leave a beautiful continuation.”
Although I came to know of Thich Nhat Hanh (or Thay as his students call him) when I was in my late 20s (I had quoted him in my Grandfather’s Eulogy in May of 2004), it wasn’t until his passing in January of 2022 that I really began to study his teachings and find online Sanghas to sit with. I first joined the Plum Village Tradition Worldwide Sangha on Facebook (PVTWS on FB) and began attending the Book Club in March of 2022, and later Meditation Practice and Dharma Study. In the Summer of 2022, I began attending Joyful Mountain Sangha. In November of 2022, I received the Three Refuges and the Five Mindfulness Trainings one week before my 49th birthday.
The Plum Village Tradition of Engaged Buddhism is the first Spiritual Community I have formally joined, although I grew up attending various Christian denomination churches with family and friends.
I continue to sit with PVTWS on FB on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. U.S. Central Time, and Joyful Mountain Sangha on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. U.S. Central Time. I enjoy serving in both sanghas—offering readings and guided meditations or facilitating practice sessions when asked. In January of 2023, I became an administrator for the PVTWS on FB, and in June of 2023, I joined the Care-Taking Council of Joyful Mountain Sangha.
