Well I managed to get out of bed – as usual it wasn’t elegant and there was some under my breath swearing! But I did it and managed to take Pretzel a quick walk, have coffee, breakfast and leave. Now sitting on the Brighton train. Hoping that I will meet up with friends at Eastbourne. I haven’t been to the Brighton Buddhist Centre before and it is always easier to go for the first time with friends.
Now back home after a lovely day. I met up with my friends. And we talked all of the way to Brighton. The Brighton Centre is lovely. So calm. So serene. THREE shrine rooms! THREE! I still prefer our Eastbourne “pop up” centre though. The Eastbourne Sangha is small and intimate. We know and care for each other.
It was a fabulous day. Meditation, Puja, talks, story telling, two Mitra ceremonies, a shared lunch. Perfect. And back to a common theme. FRIENDSHIP. I had a long chat with a friend I hadn’t really talked to for a while. I chatted with friends. Reacquainted myself with people I have met before. Met new people. There is one friend who I love deeply. He was there. He is a true spiritual friend. It’s not a romantic or sexual relationship. It’s not a physical thing at all. But we hug. We connect. It is a truly beautiful friendship. I have a deep love for this man.
I love my Buddhist friends. I love my Buddhist life. I had some lovely deep conversations. I felt that I was part of something. I felt that I mattered.