MMC is there to share the practice of mindfulness
with weekly sessions, mindfulness days every three weeks, and public talks.
mindfulnessmeditationcentre.org

● MINDFULNESS DAY, SATURDAY MARCH 6:  VOWS AND ACTION — FIVE MINDFULNESS TRAININGS AND A WHOLESOME LIFE (at Pointe-Claire).

We are making decisions and following them through every day of our life: we decide to buy a loaf of bread, and then go do it. The decision and the follow-through are equally important as our life unfolds. At MMC, we usually focus on the follow-through, on the practice. On this day we will be focusing on the decision: the conscious decision to make mindfulness practice a central part of our life. There will be an opportunity to take refuge and the Five Mindfulness Trainings on this day for those who wish. If you are interested, please read the appropriate entries on the website, and e-mail Joseph Emet.
Decisions are not very useful if we do not act on them! This Mindfulness Day is equally appropriate or those who have taken the trainings and would like a refresher, or to share their experiences with others.
It is also appropriate for those who would like to learn more about the trainings.
To register, please e-mail Joseph Emet at josephemet@gmail.com<mailto:josephemet@gmail.com>

Details: Directions to the Pointe-Claire centre are on the website (www.mindfulnessmeditationcentre.org<http://www.mindfulnessmeditationcentre.org/>). The session is from 9 am to 12:30. The cost is 20 dollars. Reservations are necessary.

● OPRAH INTERVIEW WITH THICH NHAT HANH

Two items are available on the net from this recent interview: a short video of TNH offering a guided meditation is at:
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Thich-Nhat-Hanhs-Audio-Meditation-Flower-Fresh
And the full text of Oprah’s interview with Thich Nhat Hanh is at:
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Oprah-Talks-to-Thich-Nhat-Hanh/2

● TIPS FOR MINDFUL EATING

Here are some practical suggestions for practicing two of the mealtime contemplations:
(This food is the gift of the whole universe,
the Earth, the Sky, and much hard work.
May I transform my unskilful states of mind
and learn to eat in moderation)
• Avoid the temptation to fill your fork or spoon before you have swallowed what is already in your mouth.
• Avoid the kind of ‘competitive eating’ that carnivores like dogs do, slurping up the food as fast as they can. A better model or image to have is that of a cow peacefully chewing the cud.
• Remember that at the table as well as away from the table, the best way to slow down is to breathe more slowly.
• Goal directed eating vs pleasure directed eating: gobbling down the food gives us some biological satisfaction. Slowing down enbles us to enjoy the flavours and the taste.
• The eye can be hungrier than the stomach. Take small servings, and go back for seconds if you need to. Then you can be sure to finish your plate, instead of having to throw out food that is left on your plate (especially important for children).
• Here is another approach: I tend to eat too much in ‘all you can eat’ type buffets. I prefer the usual restaurant where there is a fixed portion, and no seconds. But my home is an ‘all you can eat’ type of buffet! We can turn our home into the usual kind of restaurant if we decide beforehand how much we      are going to eat of each food, and stick to our plan. We can also prepare our partner’s plate, and he prepares yours if we wish (we can, of course, give some hints to our partner about our preferences).
• Remember that the aim is not to get stuffed, but to eat until you are moderately full. Here is one instance where ‘listening to your body’ can lead you astray: it takes 20 minutes for the stretch sensors in the stomach to send signals of fullness to the brain. This means that if you are eating fast, in less than 20 minutes you can eat to the point of discomfort before your body has a chance to comment.
• The stomach is happy when there is something in it! However, it is not necessary to eat every time the stomach says, ‘I am empty.’ Having a glass of water or herbal tea will do the trick just as well.
• Do not talk about anything even mildly controversial.

● WISDOM IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

On August 13, 1990, Curtis Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down after stage lighting equipment fell on him at an outdoor concert.  He was unable to play guitar, but he wrote, sang and directed the recording of his last album, New World Order. Mayfield’s vocals were painstakingly recorded, usually line-by-line while lying on his back. He died a short time after.
Here are some lyrics from that album:

Chorus from OH SO BEAUTIFUL

This life we live
Is oh so beautiful
Oh so beautiful
This love we give
Is oh so beautiful
Oh so beautiful.

Chorus from NEW WORLD ORDER

Beware of lies and false prophecies
We’re many with eyes but don’t all really see
You must be merciful my friend to obtain the same
If you break the chain don’t pass the blame
We should say unto all and I’ll say it again
It’s not just to win, shake a hand, make a friend
We who are pure at heart somehow might see
There’s still light in the world, come rejoice with me
It’s a new day.

First verse from BACK TO LIVING AGAIN

Now is always the right time
With something positive in your mind
There’s always someone to pull you down
You just get back up and hold your ground.

Do you really want some peace of mind
Remember back as a little kid
There was so much fun in what we did.

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