At the beginning of the meeting
During our meeting we want to minimize distractions, so please turn off your cell phones.
Guidelines for Dharma sharing
In Dharma sharing we bow in when we wish to speak and bow out when we are done.
Everything said is confidential.
We’re sharing from our hearts with the whole sangha, it’s not a conversation between individuals.
We wait for three breaths after someone has spoken before beginning the next share. There is no need to be in a hurry to be the next to share.
After we have shared we wait until everyone has had an opportunity to share before sharing again.
The bellmaster may invite a bell if something shared is particularly intense or emotional, if there is unmindful speech, or if a pause to breathe is appropriate.
Experience has shown that interrupting Dharma sharing for questions and answers does not work well and can be disruptive. If you have questions you are welcome to speak to David, Bee, or Jon after the meeting. Also, most subjects in Buddhism are discussed extensively on the internet and you are encouraged to search for answers to any questions there.
The purpose of our Sangha is to support each other in our practice, mindfulness, awakening, and connection with the absolute. The purpose of Dharma sharing is to discuss what has been presented and how it applies to our lives. In our Dharma sharing we try to avoid divisive language and we don’t assume a specific political viewpoint of anyone in the Sangha. Also, rather than simply bemoaning the state of the world or the actions of other people, we are encouraged to water wholesome seeds by sharing how we are using our practice to reduce our suffering and that of others.
Quiet Mind Sangha Albuquerque 