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What Is The Blooming Desert Lotus Sangha?
This Sangha has been formed in order to offer those who wish, the opportunity to learn to live in mindfulness. We will use the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, poet, peace activist, teacher and author of over 100 books, DVD's and CD's including The Miracle of Mindfulness and Peace Is Every Step. He is the second most influential monk in the world next to the Dalai Lama. We meet every week. We practice both sitting and walking meditation. We learn the Five Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing and discuss how they relate to us. We learn to use gathas or mindfulness verses (as described in the books Present Moment, Wonderful Moment and Stepping Into Freedom), to assist us in preserving our mindfulness throughout our daily lives. We have a lesson or Dharma Talk by one of our members or a guest speaker each week, as well as a Dharma Discussion, during which time mindful listening and loving speech will be practiced. Once every month, we take part in a Mindful Meal. This is vegetarian in nature, allowing each member of the Sangha to bring one warm or cold, plate/bowl of food to be shared by the group. These can be the most simple of offerings (this is not a cooking contest - a bowl of plain white rice is perfectly acceptable and welcome). This not only gives all of us an opportunity to share offerings with each other, but the practice of eating mindfully is extremely beneficial to our bodies as well as the world around us. Each member will be asked to take an active role within the Sangha. This includes planning and facilitating weekly lessons and activities. Each petal of the lotus is essential to the growth, beauty and the stability of the flower. Each member of our Sangha is just as important. 
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