Sangha News

Welcome to our second electronic newsletter. We now have our own domain and our web site has moved to http://www.bmsnbc.com. You can get to back issues of the electronic newsletter from an archive on this site. Any errors are my responsibility. If you have comments or suggestions for either newsletter or web page, if there are bugs in the web page or newsletter, or if you got electronic and paper copies last time and you don't need the paper, or if you are willing to contribute a book review, web site review, news or other material to the newsletter, please let me know.

It has been quiet at Willows hall with people taking the summer to travel and enjoy the good weather. There have been a few phone enquiries about meditation as a result of the brochures that we have been circulating. Please keep circulating these brochures, but note that both Jim and Ken who are listed as contacts are currently unavailable. I have modified the web site to reflect our current situation and to advise people that September - April is the best time to join the group as attendance is very low May - August.

The July Tibetan dance performance in Prince George was cancelled because the Tibetan monks were refused an exit visa to visit Canada, but the scheduled world healing ceremonies with First Nations and Tibetan Buddhist components went ahead as a monk living outside Tibet was able to step in. Mary Cosman attended and has reported on this for us. This newsletter we also have a book review and a new feature, "Web Picks" with brief reviews of selected buddhist sites on the web.

Like many others Gerry and Kinnie have been busy over the last year supporting their parents through health problems. Most of us (most people) have some duties and struggles with family. Practice at the Willows provides a very simple situation, yet we experience highs and lows, working in harmony and getting frustrated with each other. This is only practice for practicing in the real world. Practice with family and friends can be exhaustingly difficult and frustrating, but it is also meaningful and satisfying. When our Buddhist practice extends to these more difficult and complex situations then we benefit and so do others.

The previous newsletter editor, Jim Bell, has been accepted into the Fine Woodworking program at Selkirk College, Nelson. He will be leaving Prince George the first week of September, and will be at college until May 31 2005, with no breaks except a few days at Christmas. Jim has been a steady and active contributor to the Sangha. I will miss him, as will many others. Although Jim is not the current editor he still helps edit content for this newsletter. His services are greatly appreciated. I have no doubt that he will be highly successful in his chosen program and look forward to his return.

I am attending August sesshin on Galiano Island from August 14 to 20. Sesshin was organized by the Vancouver Zen center with which we are affiliated. Our next two day zazen-kai in Prince George has been announced in the Vancouver Zen Center News.

I hope everyone is finishing up a satisfying summer. Remember that we are having a yard sale at John's garage on Saturday September 18th. John is accepting donations from NOW to August 17. This is a great time to clean your basement, attic, garage etc. Please call 964-2685 or email ahead to arrange drop off. We need as many volunteers as possible to sell goods, and if possible to provide goodies for a bake sale table and brew and sell coffee. Please call or email John to volunteer.

gassho

Judith