Greetings to the Sangha,

 

These are some thoughts about how our Bcn Sangha community might grow. (Voy a mandar un traducción en Español.)

 

Two main thoughts are:

 

1. look for ways to expand membership

2. look for ways to extend compassion to members of the community in practical ways.

 

I´m not sure what is already in place for expanding membership, aside from our listing on Plum Village´s website and the yahoogroups address. What we might do is to contact the previous members of Ena´s Sangha, the majority of whom have fallen by the wayside. We can invite them to return. Then there´s free classified advertising in both Bcn Metropolitan and Bcn Connect English magazine.

 

We could expand our practice to include helping with the basic physical concerns of some of our members, several who are immigrants and may be struggling to make a dignified life which includes decent, affordable housing and a livable wage.  For example, Ena´s flat will be available to rent in January. It might be a solution for those who are in need of better housing. It´s large enough to have 3 or 4 people to share the rent. Ena´s son Djuan could be approached about the idea, with a request that he lower the price of the rent. He and his wife Anna are  frequent visitors to Plum Village and assist with translations for both Thay and Thay Doji. I think he would be open to the idea of renting to Sangha practicioners. Please note, this is not another proposal to move the Sangha to Ena´s flat.

 

 I did not adequately develop my thoughts at the Sangha last time, therefore I didn´t get heart of the message across .Concerning responses I ´ve received, my thinking is not merely a romantic fantasy and If we are not yet mature as a Sangha, we might talk about what can we do to help us mature.  Yes, we are all busy with our personal lives and families, but I wonder if there´s any way to make an effort to help those who have more basic survival needs than others. I know at least two members who have confided their housing concerns.

 

What is possible to actually practice the teachings? Thay says "Ideas about understanding and compassion are not understanding and compassion. They must be real in our lives, seen and touched." (Interbeing). This quote, the tradition of Ena´s Sangha, and the mail from Carme ("Vamos a quejarnos menos") are good examples of what I´m trying to convey. Maybe this can be a topic for the Friday practice.

 

Thanks for lending your ear.

 

A lotus for you,

Claire