Dear friends and sangha members: SIMS recently received word from the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California regarding the cyclone that has devastated many parts of Rangoon, Burma’s largest city, as well as the populated lowland areas of the Delta region. In the past, Spirit Rock has supported the work of The Foundation for the People of Burma (FPB), which has been working in specific communities in Rangoon and southern Burma for many years. FPB is positioned to quickly address people’s need in these areas.

Reports from friends in Burma are that food supplies are low, prices are astronomical, and safe drinking water is difficult to access. FPB’s immediate response to the disaster will focus on working with their existing project partners in Rangoon and on the Thai-Burma border to organize and financially support emergency supplies and services. Donations can be made via the FPB website or by check or money order to the Foundation for the People of Burma, 225 Bush Street, Suite 590, San Francisco, CA 94104. For questions please call (415) 217-7015.

The post-beginning class is intended for practitioners who have completed the SIMS beginning meditation class in the last year or two. The class will continue practitioners’ exploration of dharma and meditation, centering around the question “Why practice?” We’ll look at what the teachings say about the transformative power of mindfulness, and compare with our own experience. What are we learning from practice? Is practice beneficial? What is hard about practice? How can we work with the challenges? The class will include readings, discussion and practice in a variety of vipassana meditation techniques. Class meets for five consecutive Thursdays, June 12 – July 10, 7-9 pm, at Keystone Church, 5019 Keystone Place North, Seattle. Class fee is $25 (to cover space rental) plus dana for the facilitator.

About the Facilitator: Cheryl Slean has been practicing meditation since 1995 in both the Tibetan and Vipassana traditions. She recently completed Spirit Rock’s two year Dedicated Practitioner Program and leads meditation classes at SIMS and in the community.

Joseph Goldstein be speaking Tuesday, June 17th, at Bloedel Hall at St Mark's from 6:45-8:45 PM.

Ajahn Sumedho will be speaking Tuesday, July 8th, at Bloedel Hall at St Mark's from 6:45-8:45 PM.

This series of 20 Tuesday-night classes (through October 7) taught by SIMS’ guiding teacher, Rodney Smith, uses Zen Buddhism’s Ten Oxherding Pictures and their depiction of the unfolding of the spiritual path. The pictures describe the spiritual journey from the bewildered confusion of the initial search to the contentment and fulfillment of abiding in intrinsic awareness. Talks alternate with discussions in which the previous week’s homework is explored.

The Dharma Foundation Series is a series of 5 six week courses for SIMS members interested in deepening their understanding of Dharma practice through the exploration of key Buddhist concepts, canon and practices organized around an examination of the Four Noble Truths. Courses will offer a varied approach to the material, including readings, presentations, discussions, reflections and practice techniques. Each course will be led by a SIMS Local Dharma Leader who has completed Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioner Program, a two year intensive program of similar study, with assistance from Rodney and other senior students. Subsequent courses will be offered in the Fall of 2008 and in early 2009.

Although each class in the series may be taken on a stand alone basis without having completed prior courses in the series, it is recommended that participants try to attend the entire series. We request that each participant have had at least 2 years of consistent practice experience.

The first class will explore the First Noble Truth of Suffering including an examination of the three marks of existence, five aggregates and two truths through readings, discussion and practice and will meet at Keystone Church at 7pm for 6 consecutive Thursdays starting on May 1st.

You may register at the first class. However, in order to receive readings for the first class, or for more information, please pre-register by sending an email to craigr.sims@gmail.com with your name and phone number.

This course will be led by Craig Rowley who has been practicing Vipassana meditation since 1995 and completed Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioner Program in the Spring of 2007. He has served on the SIMS Board since 2004 including a term as Board President.