Sharing Happiness

Dear Friends,

These days of fall and winter and less sunlight, lead us to follow nature and to turn inward.
To reflect and to find a warm place together.

These days are also the days of Christmas, the celebration of hope and enlightenment. The coming of compassion and peace to the world. From now on the days are getting longer again and the sun is rising higher each day.


This Monday we will have a special celebration in our Sangha evening.
We will share happiness and speak out and celebrate gratitude.


After a short sitting meditation all Sangha members are invited to bring their happiness and share it with the group.
This can be in the form of a poem, a song, a musical performance on guitar or piano, a quote from a book or from someone that inspires you. Also you can bring a painting or a photograph or something to eat.
We are happy to hear the song that your grandmother used to sing or the love and affection you get from your pet. 

The doors will be open at 19h30
Meditation will start at 20h00
Sharing Happiness will start at about 20h30


Have a wonderful weekend!

Non Discrimination

Dear Friends,

Monday Dec 16 we will watch a piece of a dharma talk by Thich Nhat Hanh, about Non-Discrimination.

Boundaries are artificial, we have invented them.
Much suffering comes from disciminitive thinking.
In a funny and loving Dharma talk for children Thay makes a case for inclusiveness, compassion and Non-Discrimination.

Doors will be open at 19h30,
Video will start at 20h

Enjoy !

Sunrise in Plumvillage (Upper Hamlet) Last week during the winter retreat

True Happiness

Dear Friends

In line with the previous weeks we will focus our meditation tomorrow on one of the 5 mindfulness trainings:

True Happiness

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking, and acting. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others; and I will share my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. I will practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are not separate from my own happiness and suffering; that true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion; and that running after wealth, fame, power and sensual pleasures can bring much suffering and despair. I am aware that happiness depends on my mental attitude and not on external conditions, and that I can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering that I already have more than enough conditions to be happy. I am committed to practicing Right Livelihood so that I can help reduce the suffering of living beings on Earth and reverse the process of global warming.

AANDACHTSOEFENING: Werkelijk gelukBewust van het lijden veroorzaakt door uitbuiting, sociaal onrecht, diefstal en onderdrukking beloof ik van ganser harte te leren vrijgevig te zijn in mijn denken, spreken en handelen. Ik heb het oprechte voornemen niet te stelen en me niets toe te eigenen wat een ander toebehoort en mijn tijd, energie en materiële middelen te delen met allen die dat nodig hebben. Ik wil  diepgaand leren kijken zodat ik kan zien dat het geluk en  lijden van anderen niet verschilt van mijn eigen geluk en lijden, dat werkelijk geluk niet mogelijk is zonder begrip en mededogen en dat het najagen van weelde, roem, macht en zintuiglijk genot veel lijden en wanhoop kan veroorzaken. Ik ben me er van bewust dat werkelijk geluk afhangt van mijn geestelijke houding en niet van uiterlijke omstandigheden en ik kan hier en nu gelukkig zijn door te beseffen dat er in en om mij heen genoeg voorwaarden zijn om gelukkig te zijn. Ik neem me voor om op een juiste manier in mijn levensonderhoud te voorzien zodat ik kan helpen om het lijden van levende wezens op  aarde te verminderen en het proces van de opwarming van onze aarde te keren.

Doors will be open at 19h30,
Guided sitting meditation will start at 20h
Followed by Silent walking and silent sitting meditation.
At about 21h there will be a short break before the 
Dharma sharing.
We will finsh with informal tea as usual.