We begin our process of individuation as young children and that is when we begin to build our concept of self.  The key word here is concept.  We work so tirelessly throughout our lives to manufacture and construct this image of self that we wish to convey to the world.  It is not unusual that when we have built something, we go out of our way to protect and defend this thing we have built.  It could be a house, it could be a table, it could be a novel.  Whatever the case, we most often wish for that which we have manufactured to remain safe, steadfast, untarnished, and unassailed.  It is often the ego for which we have these wishes.

Think about a time when someone may have said something about you or to you which was contrary to your own internal vision of yourself.  Did we happen to notice a tightening of mind and body?  Do we instantly dismiss the person and the words they uttered concerning “me”?  Do we recoil and hurl unskillful speech at this person?  These words that you said certainly couldn’t apply to “me”.  This certainly doesn’t correspond to my vision of myself.  What you are saying is contrary to what I know “I” am. Or is it?

Are we able to mindfully reflect and take criticism when it is warranted, or do we shut it out?  Can we be corrected without lashing out?  I know I struggle with this from time-to-time myself.

This brought to mind a passage from The Dhammapada I would like to share translated as, “The Wise”.  This excerpt is from a delightfully accessible 20^th Century translation by Ananda Maitreya:

If someone sees an intelligent person
Who is skillfully able to point out shortcomings,
And give suitable reproof,
Let them cherish such a revealer of hidden treasures.
Only good can come from such an association.
 
We all have a shadow side that can be difficult to see.  How will we respond when someone skillfully illuminates it?  Can we view the illuminator of the shadow as a cherished guide showing us our hidden treasures by bringing our faults to light, or do we simply dismiss the perceived attack?  Returning to “The Wise” in The Dhammapada:

Do not choose bad friends.
Do not choose persons of low habits.
Select good friends.  Be discriminating.
Choose the best.
 
It is by association with the wise that we become wise.  We are often a product of our associations.  I find comfort that I am surrounded by good and wise friends in the Dhamma.  The Sangha is a place where we can truly revel and rest in kalyāna mittatā – spiritual friendship, and perhaps, in time, drop the defenses we’ve erected around the ego that stand between us and realizing true wisdom.

May All Beings Be Well and Happy,

drew

We have a diverse lending library at IMFW. It includes many Buddhist-based books from many traditions. We hope you take advantage of this service.  Many of the books are upstairs in the Welcome Room for easy access; however, many more books are in our basement library.  Simply sign the form on the counter to check a book out.  If you are interested in looking through the larger collection, just ask the greeter or teacher.  We’ll help you get into the basement library.

In this newsletter you’ll find an opportunity for a New Year’s Eve practice night and an invitation to join the Gratitude Group.  Hopefully, these ways help to keep your practice fresh and meaningful as we enter into the winter months.

Anyone interested in joining a KM (spiritual friendship) group may sign up on our website at https://www.imfw.org/kalyana-mitta.  When we have enough people interested to begin a new group, someone from IMFW will contact you. 

Thank you to everyone who joined in for our November potluck.

Thank you to our snow removal crew for keeping walkways and travel paths safe during the winter: J.D., Josh, Ian and Drew. 

Our mission is to provide for the study and practice of Insight (Vipassanā) Meditation according to the Theravāda Buddhist religious tradition and to support and encourage the development of community based upon Buddhist ideals, teachings and practices.

IMFW is entirely supported by voluntary donations that embody the ancient practice of dāna or generosity. The teachings are always offered freely and practitioners are invited to offer support that matches their own financial means, and/or by volunteering time and talents to support the teachers and the upkeep of Sangha House.

At this time of year, as our thoughts turn to giving thanks for all of our blessings, it is a good time to consider joining IMFW’s Gratitude Group.
 
As you may know, some of us in the Sangha participate in an email Gratitude Group.  Each member of the group is invited to send out a daily email observing three things we are grateful for.  This is a wonderful practice, allowing us to increase mindfulness of our blessings and also giving us the chance to get to know each other personally a little better.
 
If you're interested in joining the group, please send an email to ifw-gratitude+subscribe@googlegroups.com
 
Once you have signed up you can send your gratitude email each day to ifw-gratitude@googlegroups.com and it will be delivered to all of the participants in the group.  
 
You can unsubscribe at any time, as described at the bottom of each email.  There is no requirement that you participate every day.  Some members faithfully send daily emails, others only send occasional emails, and some just like to read others' posts, but the whole group benefits from reading whatever emails are delivered each day.
 
If you prefer you can adjust your Google groups setting so you receive the gratitudes in digest form.  Then you get all that day's messages in just one email a day.  To do this, once you have subscribed, do the following:

• Go to groups.google.com/g/ifw-gratitude
• Go to My Membership Settings
• Under Subscription choose Digest

 
If you have any questions or encounter problems, you can contact me at eeengland@gmail.com.  Please consider joining if you haven’t already!
 
With gratitude,
Ellen
 
 

The IMFW Teacher Collective will be offering a New Year’s Eve Retreat, Saturday, December 31. There will be multiple segments to the evening beginning at 6pm closing at 8:45 pm.
 
Please know you may come and go as you wish, but it is requested that you enter and leave the building in Noble Silence.  It is preferred that you join at the “start times” indicated. 
 
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm we will chant the refuges and precepts, followed by a 30- minute sitting meditation. A dharma talk, focusing on joy and kindness, will finish out the hour.
 
7:00-7:30-Guidance for walking meditation and a 30 minute time for walking either in the basement or outside.
 
7:30-8:00-Following the walking meditation, New Year resolutions, Buddhist style, will be reflected upon.
 
8:00-8:45-Another 30-minute sitting meditation followed by some closing reflections.
 
We look forward to providing the IMFW Sangha an opportunity to take a few hours to reflect upon the year 2022 and to contemplate new intentions for the year 2023.  Candles will be aflame, and solitude and silence will support welcoming in the New Year. 
 

Come experience how mindfulness training can reduce your stress and anxiety!
 
Stress isn't going anywhere. We all feel it from time to time. Actually, stress doesn't come from your boss, relationships, your kids, health challenges or even everyday driving in the car. It comes from how you view these situations. That is what creates the unease.
 
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction is the "gold standard" of mindfulness training. This empirically researched 8 week course developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn has been taught for more than 40 years around the world. Research outcomes have demonstrated positive improvements in physical and psychological symptoms, as well as changes in health attitudes and behaviors.
 
MBSR is designed to train attention, and reduce stress through a variety of practices and meditations. In this highly participatory, practical program, students will participate in:

• Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices
• Gentle stretching and mindful yoga/movement
• Inquiry exercises to build awareness and promote self-discovery
• Small and large group discussion
• Daily home assignments
• Guided audio files for home practice 
 
MBSR Classes will be held in person at
Insight Meditation Fort Wayne
2332 Sandpoint Road
Wednesdays from 6:00-8:30pm
February 1 – March 22nd
Space is limited to 10-15 participants for social distancing
Suggested cost is $20/session ($160), however, a sliding scale is available upon request.



Mindful Self Compassion
 
Are You Hard On Yourself?
 
Contact me, Becky Pape, if you have interest in taking this research based course created by Dr. Kristen Neff and Chris Germer. Mindful Self-Compassion Short Course (SC-MSC) is offered in a shorter format for those who do not have time for the full program. The program is 6 sessions and lasts about 90 minutes each.  This class will be taught in person at the Insight Meditation Fort Wayne building on Sandpoint Road, beginning at 6pm Thursday, February 2^nd through March 9^th.

Research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional well-being. It
boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression, and can even help you stick to your exercise or diet routine. 
 
Class cost is $150 and a sliding scale fee is available upon request.
 
To register for either or both classes contact Becky Pape
Email: Becky@mindmentor.life
For more information about Becky: https://www.mindmentor.life/