Center for Inner Peace CenterPeace
June July 2011
Neema's Reflections
It seems to me that warm weather has been long in coming, but it is here now and I am enjoying it. Everyday I spend as much time as possible in my yard: just watching things grow, birds nesting, and fish swimming in my pond, trying to garden and keep up on weeds. Gardening is getting harder for me because of my arthritis. For those of you who have it, you know what I mean. For those of you who have been spared or are yet too young, you are blessed.
Yet I too am blessed in many ways, even with the pain. There are big blessings. The biggest is to have this "precious human birth," which is a Buddhist concept. They believe that being born human is an opportunity that comes very seldom in the course of a soul's reincarnations. In addition to being human I have enough to eat; I live in a comfortable home; and I usually am not too worried about finances. I have been also unduly blessed with spiritual awareness and teachings. I am luckier than the majority of the people on this earth. We can take these things for granted so easily. But they are gifts from God.
But there are other miraculous blessings I take note of daily. It is easy to overlook those little everyday blessings and miracles; yet for me they are much of what makes up my sacred awareness. That is why time in my garden is so important for me. Everyday I notice the growth of a plant, or the change in a blossom. The water iris bloomed this year for the fist time in several years. It's yellow flower only lasted a day once it opened. It would have been easy to miss. Occasionally in that pond I get a fleeting glimpse of one of the two babies born there this year. They hide from predators as they are so small and vulnerable.
Once I was outside reading a student's paper that commented on a poem about a wren. At that moment a local wren swooped down to take a drink from the pond and l
ooked up at me in a bemused sort of way. Probably, though I cannot of course be sure, it was one of the wrens from the nest that has been occupied for three years now in a lantern hanging on my front porch. I watch as the father looks out and guards mother and babies from a nearby tree. My window faces east, so in the morning if I close my curtains, I can see the shadows of those tiny beaky mouths raised in yearning.
These are all like little kisses from the Divine. They fill me with joy.
Our theme for June is "Blessings." May we feel them, see them, and give them to others.
Many Many Blessings to all of you!
Neema
Newsletter Options
Would you like to receive the newsletter in color and save the Center the cost of paper and mailing? We are now sending the newsletter and bulletin via email in Adobe or PDF format. If you do not have Adobe you can download it for free from http://www.adobe.com/. (You want just the Reader) If you would like to receive Newsletter and/or the weekly bulletin via email (in case you don’t make it to Sunday meeting) send your email address to Ann Ladd anladd@aol.com You may not receive a paper copy of the newsletter every month as we try to cut back on expenses.
Chris Davis would like to remind everyone to bring food to donate to the Co-operative Care group on Grand. So. Check your shelves, buy that “2 for the price of 1” to share with Pueblo’s hungry people.
Treasurer's Report 
| September | |
| Income | $3054.30 |
| Expenses | $2972.38 |
| Difference | $ (81.92) |
The 2010 Budget requires $3.350 per month to be balanced. Complete financial reports are kept in the church office and are available to all members. Due to large building repair expenses, we need to replenish our Building Fund and Contingency Funds.
Ann Ladd, Treasurer 251-4006Groups & Classes
Sunday Meetings: Meditation at 10:00AM with soft music. Service at 10:30
Ullambana Full Day Retreat: August 13th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Ullambana is a Buddhist holiday that celebrates the end of summer .and feeding those who are hungry. Come sing, chant, and eat. Silent potluck lunch. Children are welcome at 3 pm to share a story and make jizo prayer flags. Ullambana Ceremony at 4pm Center for Inner Peace For registration and information, contact Kate Jarrett 719/821-9105 pottress@gmail.com
Zikhr Chanting: first Saturday of the month with Alan Mace. August 6, at 6:45. 250-4854
Gratitude Group: A workshop/support group on living in gratitude . The group has halted for the summer. It will resume in the Fall at 1:00pm on the second and fourth Fridays. (Marie 544-7182 or Julie 545-5416).
Book Group: Wednesdays 1:30- 3:00 Engaged Contemplation Audio Lectures by Beverly Lanzetta - Held at Shirley Brinks house. Call for directions - 565-0134 (Rev Neema 543-2274).
Prayer Ministry: 10:45 am on Tuesdays. Anyone is invited to add names to our prayer list and /or join us in silent mediation/prayer. Put names in Prayer request box or call Barbara Garber at 584-2754.
A Course in Miracles discussion group meets from 1:30-3:00 on Wednesday’s
Zen Meditation: All Day Sit, including Work in The Room with Sarah Bender, Sensei. Saturday, Sept. 10, 8 A.M. to approx. 5:30 P.M. Wednesdays at 6:00 pm, third Wednesday Dharma Talk and second and fourth Saturdays (8/13, & 8/27 ) at 8:00 am with the Wet Mountain Sangha Buddhist Group. Public is welcome. (Tracy 547-7655)
Yoga: Amrit Yoga - movements to practice meditation-in-motion for joyful inner stillness. Nidra-movements to practice conscious deep sleep. Monday 4:30 Amrit Yoga Fundamentals and Conditioning; 5:30 Amrit Yoga Sequence; 6:30 Integrative -Relaxation. Tuesday, 9:30 Amrit Yoga Sequence; Thursday, 5:30 Amrit Yoga Sequence. Fridays 8:00 –9:00 am. Slow graceful movements of an ancient wellness practice and martial art promoting better health and longevity through "chi" circulation. (Debbie 948-2798.)
Nia: Every Wednesday, 5:30 at downtown Zoomba and Friday, 9:30 am at CIP. Nia in Swahili means "with purpose." Holistic exercise movements provide a spirit of "dancing through life with a purpose." (Donna 547-2241)
Tai Chi Fridays, 8:00 am. Slow graceful movements to promote health and longevity. New Beginner Tai Chi classes are scheduled for Spring of 2010. If interested, call for more information (Debbie 948-2798)
Beginning Tai Chi: Thursdays 9:00 am to 10:15 am starting Sept 8th, 2011. Join us for the practice of Yang style Tai Chi with Qi Gong warm up. Open to beginners and people with previous experience. (Debb 948-2798)
Weight Management Class: Probably starting in August and September. A fun filled three session class with lots of laughter, a wealth of information, new insights, the latest research and much support. Dove is a hypnotist with a flare for helping people loose weight. Call Dove at 250-1292 for more information.
Ongoing Groups
Meeting at Different Locatons
Fellowship Luncheon: First Sunday’s after Sunday meeting.
Urantia Book. 6:00-8:00 pm, Sundays. Contact the Chapman’s for location & information (546-3295).
Transmission Meditation: Tuesday evenings at 7 pm. (Shirley Brinks, 565-0134 )
Course in Miracles group: Thursday mornings at 10 am. Meeting at the Brinks’ home, 530 Cherry Lane, (Shirley Brinks 565-0134 brinks.shirley@q.com)
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Wish List
* Someone to "resurrect" and coordinate the former Tuesday Book Group.
* We are in need of new windows for the library, foyer, and front of the sanctuary. They are not insulated and some are rotted.