This evening I went to a Buddhist meeting. This meeting happens every Wednesday and is usually quite well attended. I would say about 20 / 25 people. It wasn’t going to happen today as it is Boxing Day and people tend to be busy. But it did go ahead. 7 of us turned up. After the Metta Bhavana meditation we had tea then sat in a circle and just talked! Talked about change and what that meant as Buddhists. We talked about very personal things. We understood each other. We empathised. We laughed. It was an evening that I will always remember.
Category: Inspiration
Something to consider …
I have started to ask myself this more and more even in small situations – does watching that TV programme now add positively to my life? It might ! I might need that hour’s break. But there may be more merit in reading a book or going for a walk.
Death Cafe
At a Death Cafe people drink tea, eat cake and discuss death. Our aim is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their (finite) lives.
Today I attended my first Death Cafe. It was arranged by three Buddhists and held in the space where Buddhist Meetings are held – but it was not a Buddhist event. It was attended by people volunteering and working at the local hospice as well as Buddhists and people interested in discussing death over tea / coffee and cake.
The agenda was not set. There were groups of chairs arranged in three circles. We all chose a chair and sat down on it. After an introduction which talked about the purpose of the cafe, the rules (respect, what is said in the room stays in the room – that sort of thing) we sat and talked.
I expected it to be awkward! No, it definitely wasn’t. The conversation just flowed. My group covered all sorts of aspects of death (the lead up, what happens afterwards, wills, funerals, the impermanence of life….). There was discussion; there was laughter.
I am continuing to be inspired by the people I meet, the conversations I have. This morning brought me closer to someone I already know from the meetings – we are going out for coffee soon – and I met new people.
A few months ago I would not have dreamt of going to an event like this. I would have found it weird! It would not have been “my thing”. I am very happy that it is now definitely “my sort of thing”.