2) Sharing regrets - We may mention any unskillfulness in our actions,
speech or thoughts that we have not yet had an opportunity to apologize for.
3) Expressing a hurt - We may share how we felt hurt by an interaction
with another practitioner, due to his or her actions, speech or thoughts.
(To express a hurt we should first water the other person’s flower by
sharing two positive qualities that we have trully observed in him or her.
Expressing a hurt is often performed one on one with another practitioner
rather than in the group setting. You may ask for a third party that you
both trust and respect to be present, if desired.)
4) Sharing a long-term difficulty & asking for support- At times we each
have difficulties and pain arise from our past that surface in the present.
When we share an issue that we are dealing with we can let the people around
us understand us better and offer the support that we really need.
The practice of Beginning Anew helps us develop our kind speech and
compassionate listening. Begin Anew is a practice of recognition and
appreciation of the positive elements within our Sangha. For instance, we
may notice that our roommate is generous in sharing her insights, and
another friend is caring towards plants. Recognizing others positive traits
allows us to see our own good qualities as well.
Along with these good traits, we each have areas of weakness, such as
talking out of our anger or being caught in our misperceptions. When we
practice “flower watering” we support the development of good qualities in
each other and at the same time we help to weaken the difficulties in the
other person. As in a garden, when we “water the flowers” of loving kindness
and compassion in each other, we also take energy away from the weeds of
anger, jealousy and misperception.
We can practice Beginning Anew everyday by expressing our appreciation
for our fellow practitioners and apologizing right away when we do or say
something that hurts them. We can politely let others know when we have been
hurt as well. The health and happiness of the whole community depends on the
harmony, peace and joy that exists between every member in the sangha.
TOUCHING THE EARTH
The practice of Touching the Earth is to return to the Earth, to our roots,
to our ancestors, and to recognize that we are not alone but connected to a
whole stream of spiritual and blood ancestors. We are their continuation and
with them, will continue into the future generations. We touch the earth to
let go of the idea that we are separate and to remind us that we are the
Earth and part of Life.
When we touch the Earth we become small, with the
humility and simplicity of a young child. When we touch the Earth we become
great, like an ancient tree sending her roots deep into the earth, drinking
from the source of all waters. When we touch the Earth, we breathe in all
the strength and stability of the Earth, and breathe out our suffering- our
feelings of anger, hatred, fear, inadequacy and grief.
Our hands join to form a lotus bud and we gently lower
ourselves to the ground so that all four limbs and our forehead are resting
comfortably on the floor. While we are Touching the Earth we turn our palms
face up, showing our openness to the three jewels, the Buddha, the Dharma,
and the Sangha. After one or two times practicing Touching the Earth (Three
Touchings or Five Touchings), we can already release a lot of our suffering
and feeling of alienation and reconcile with our ancestors, parents,
children, or friends
