Welcome to the New Year 2023
Dear Friends
Welcome to our New Year 2023.
I do hope that this past year of 2022 has ended well for you and that the New Year has been engaged with openness, anticipation and joy.
For many it may feel like we are still breathing out the old year and letting it go, which certainly needs to happen before we can fully feel into, open-up to and breath in the New Year.
Sometimes the first month of the New Year can be a time of acknowledging and accepting what has been the happening of the past year. It is only when the old year has gone that we can feel and allow ourselves the opportunity to acknowledge what we have been through.
Certainly 2022 was a challenging year for many, particularly in places around the world dealing with both ecological and environmental challenges that have impacted everyone economically. Also, the ongoing issues with conflict and confusion in the Russian – Ukraine war.
Furthermore, there has been the death of significant people in various areas of life.
These ongoing realities offer up need to pause and ponder, feel and find meaningful ways to couch such happenings.
Buddhist Wisdom is certainly a wonderful way to make some sense and realise the importance of Calm and Clarity in our life founded on Wisdom.
As I have mentioned many times, in many ways and in many places; Mindfulness is the Way.
‘Right Mindfulness’ as the seventh factor of the Noble Eight Fold Path, allows us to be stand strong and feel deep as we live into and learn from our life’s ongoing experiences.
May we all make the most of our New Year 2023, finding meaning, insight wisdom and joy in living and being.
I offer my verse below for your consideration.
Metta Regards
John B.
STAND TALL AND FEEL DEEP
Stand tall and feel deep;
Be quietly brave;
It’s okay to weep.
To the Truth be aligned;
Be wonderful qualities;
Rare and refined.
Find the way to follow through;
To this moment,
Always fresh and new.
Life is all that is given;
To all that has been;
Be forgiven.
Let go the pains of the past;
Be alive to Now;
This moment won’t last.
With dear friends and kin find care;
When help is needed;
Be always there.
Come to be, in simply being!
With clear insight;
Engage ‘Right Seeing’.
How can we know if we are always thinking?
How can we see rightly,
If we are always blinking!
Find meaning and joy in Life;
Free the mind from,
Stress, struggle, and strife.
Much of life is to learn;
To Reality and Truth;
We heartfully yearn.
Keep Integrity, focus and wisdom dear;
Then of misfortune and pain,
We have nothing to fear.
As all pleasures are fleeting;
Make Peace and Contentment;
What we are seeking.
No meaningful worthwhile gain;
Is without persistent effort;
And at times some pain.
At the ending of our days;
Let us be mindful;
In all our ways.
Be patient, let life unfold;
This is your story;
In time to be told!
To the good and the glad;
The distressed and the sad;
Let out heart sing a silent song;
For in Natures Truth we all belong!
WEEKLY DROP-IN MEDITATION GROUP – THURSDAY EVENINGS 2023
The weekly drop-in Thursday Night Meditation Group (6.30pm – 7.30pm NSW time) has recommended for 2023.
The first session back for the New Year will be: Thursday 19th January 2023 at my home ‘Ratanagiri’ – 11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill, NSW 2484.
If you are coming for the first time email on info@wellawareness.com.au or text me 0400 022 048.
Please bring your own water bottle, pen and notebook. With the hour session we will have a 30 minute Meditation and then 30 minutes of Wisdom Reflections with questions. It will be wonderful again to meet up as a group and to continue our Meditation and Mindfulness practice, together with some Wisdom Reflections.
Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm (NSW Time)
Cost: Payment per group session is by ‘Dana’ ie. your expression of your generosity (rec.$10-$20).
