With right view we are aware of what is happening in the present moment. We are experiencing nature happening. There is no body, no person. If we take this attitude and we are aware of what is happening, then we have right view and right thought.

- Burma monk Utejayna

Hello Dear Friends,

As a year that has been difficult for many of us comes to an end, Spring is beginning to show up on this magnificent planet. A planet that is governed by the natural law of reciprocity, of regeneration and replacement.

Our insight practice offers us a great blessing as a path of practice that is grounded in kind presence. We can rejoice in the fact that one is alive, that we not only made it through the last 12 months, but we have thrived as we have pursued the causes of happiness, and, quite possibly, become more aware of the causes of suffering.

I don't know about you, but this last year, living within a pandemic, has often been a struggle. Being forced to live out of synch with the normal rhythms of my life, I have experienced a sense of unease, uncertainty, and fear. No longer having a weekly schedule of going to Sangha House on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings, for book group, haircuts every 6 weeks, going to the tennis club on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, celebrating birthdays with family and friends, I've often felt ungrounded and disconnected.

With those everyday rhythms of our life gone, many of us have felt out of balance, and disconnected from the world we live in. Often, I didn't even know what day it was and certainly couldn't remember the date of the month. We are a species dependent on contact for our sanity, so the isolation and absence of a social life left us with fewer opportunities to calibrate our behavior. As things "open up" and I anticipate facing the "new normal," I experience a bit of anxiety imagining what that might be like. Nothing seems normal to me anymore.

Then I remember our practice, I remember the IMFW Sangha, and I remember the mindfulness practice and kind awareness. I remember to "begin again" when the mind gets hijacked making stories. Awakening to the moment, afresh, and showing up with loving kindness for what is happening in the moment, I remember that many beings around me are also trying to find their new normal as they feel depleted of many of their resources.

Taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha supports me as I awaken to what's happening inwardly and outwardly, I find groundedness in buddha nature, acceptance of the way things are, and experience gratitude for my beloved community.

I look forward to being with as many of you who are able to attend Sangha House Live in April.

With lovingkindness,
Tammy
tamaradyer6@gmail.com

We will begin meeting in person in April! – ‘Live’ at Sangha House

Beginning April 6th at 6:00 p.m., we will begin offering Tuesday evening Meditation at Sangha House. We realize that not everyone feels comfortable meeting in person, so we will continue to offer a Zoom connection to this event. This is all new to us, so please have patience as we work out any bugs! Our in-person time together will return to the traditional times of 40 minutes of meditation, followed by a 30 - 40 minute dharma talk.

For those who enter Sangha House, we will be following social distancing guidelines. Masks are required. If you forget yours, we do have disposable masks available. Hand washing is always encouraged, and we have hand sanitizer in the Welcome Room.

Please join us only if you are feeling well! We have a touch-free thermometer, and we will be checking temperatures as you enter the building. We also ask that you sign in with contact information at Sangha House, so we might contact you if we are informed later that you may have come into contact with someone who has discovered they have covid.

The Meditation Hall is set up with chairs spaced a safe distance apart. If weather allows, we will open windows enough to allow for some air flow. IMFW will not provide cushions at this point in time, so if you want to use a cushion, please feel free to bring your own.

Until more than 13 people show up for an in-person event, no sign up will be required.

These guidelines will continue until the Board of Directors (or the state of Indiana) deems that we need to change our procedures.

We are so excited to be meeting in person. We have missed seeing all of the dear faces who join us.

All other groups who met at Sangha House prior to Covid, are invited to do what works best for them. So, check in with your KM Group or Book Group leader if you have any questions. Sunday Meditation will not meet at Sangha House just yet. We will let you know when we have arranged for that to happen.

We need volunteers to help care for the lawn and gardens on the grounds at Sangha House. If you are interested in helping to weed flower beds, mow, or help with spring clean-up, you can let us know by sending an email to InsightMeditationFW@gmail.com.

Watch our newsletter for dates for Spring clean-up. All are welcome! We appreciate the help!

Our mission is to share the Buddha's teachings with all those who are interested, to provide support to deepen our meditation practice, and to bring wisdom and compassion into daily life.

Tammy Dyer, guiding teacher at IMFW and Barb Lahman, member of the Teacher's Collective, are offering an Introduction to Insight Meditation Class, on each of the four Thursdays in April, beginning April 8 through the 29th, from 7 until 8 pm. Tammy and Barb will be teaching the Four Establishments of Mindfulness based in Theravada Buddhism.

We will explore mindfulness of body and breath, thoughts, feelings and emotions. Through these classes you may discover ways to wake up to your true nature, start a meditation practice, and learn more about Buddhism.

At this time we plan to supplement our Zoom class with an onsite option for those who prefer. The group will meet at Sangha House, 2332 Sand Point Drive, Fort Wayne. We will be observing safe gathering guidelines. Masks are required. The meditation hall is set up to observe social distancing. Class size of this very popular class will be limited, so please register soon at https://www.imfw.org/intro.

For further information, contact Tammy Dyer at tamaradyer6@gmail.com.

This class is offered free of charge. Please consider making a donation to IMFW to help us continue to offer programs like this one.