In September 2008, I was introduced to a mindfulness practice brought to the West by Vietnamese Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. At a three-day Zen retreat at Song of the Morning in Vanderbilt, sponsored by the Port Huron Mindfulness Community, I experienced a life-changing weekend of silence, mindfulness, discussions and relaxation. Before that, my only understanding of Buddhism had come from Fellowship School of Ministry classes and from books (some written by Thich Nhat Hanh).

When I returned home, I sought out the Lansing Mindfulness Community, and I have been deeply moved by participating in their Sangha (spiritual community). Their Wednesday evening meditation begins with an offering of incense and the ringing of a bell three times in recognition of Buddhisms three sources of refuge: the Buddha, the Buddhas teachings (Dharma), and the Sangha. Mindful walking is the first meditation, followed by a Zen sitting meditation, and then by a Dharma discussion about Buddhist teachings.

During mindful walking, I pay close attention to the speed of my steps, being aware of the pace of the person walking ahead of me. At the same time, I observe my breath. Then, during the next meditation, we are seated in a circle, not facing towards center, but outward towards the wall. At first, I thought this was a bit strange, but over time I have found it to be incredibly freeing. I dont see anyone as I focus my gaze on the wall. Im not self-conscious of how Im sitting, whether my hands are in the right position, my back straight, etc. I know no one is looking at me. This experience is very centering. I feel a close connection to everyone in the room and nothing has been spoken. There is a sense of compassion and deep respect for each other.

The part of the evening that has most changed my life is the Dharma group discussion. We sit in a circle on cushions, and each of us reads a part of one of Buddhas teachings (Sutra) or apply Buddhist philosophy to interpret some other text. During one discussion, we read The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss.

After each reading, we are encouraged to use mindful listening, which asks us to place our entire focus on the person who is speaking and what is being shared, not trying to think about what we are going to say in return. The person speaking gains the groups full attention by respectfully bowing, and the group acknowledges him/her by returning the bow. The person speaking shares an insight or experience concerning the topic. After speaking, he/she again respectfully bows to the group, and the group acknowledges, by bowing, that the speaker has finished. This process continues until the end of the evening, when we finish with a ritual of gratitude to all sentient beings, including our parents, teachers and ancestors.

What struck me the first time I experienced the Sangha was the complete respect and honor given and received by everyone in the group. No one is shut down or made to feel that what they shared was less than perfect. The first few times I attended I didnt speak; yet as I drove home I had the sense that I had been completely heard.

I continue to be amazed at the heightened awareness this experience has given me. I am beginning to be mindful of what I do throughout the day, remembering to stay present with my current task. When I find myself eating, reading and listening to music all at the same time, I simply observe and start again by watching my breath and coming back to doing only one activity fully (and without any guilt). Its called a spiritual practice for a reason!

The weekly Sangha continues to support my mindfulness practice, and the respectful listening continues to amaze and inspire me to be fully present in the moment as I have conversations with others in daily life.