Meditation

 About 6 weeks ago I decided that I wanted to start meditating again regularly.  I've been going to a weekly meditation class at the Buddhist Temple, and I really enjoy the experience.

I decided that I wanted to make it part of a regular routine and found an app called Medito, and it had a 30 day meditation challenge.  I successfully made it through the first 30 days and haven't missed a day since I started about 6 weeks ago.  It's become one of the parts of my day that I really look forward to.

As I was going down a YouTube rabbit hole I started seeing videos for The Gateway Tapes.  It's a guided meditation that the CIA was using in the 1980's and the story behind it is quite interesting.  It was crazy enough to catch my attention and look for the Gateway Tapes online.  I found them on YouTube and started using them 3 days ago.  The experience using the tapes has been quite interesting so far.  It's a journey that seems like it will be very eye opening.  I've listened to the first 3 tapes so far, and I've had a very unique experience with all 3.  I feel like this is something I should document.  Each session has had it's own unique journey so far.  This is my first time trying guided meditation and I really am enjoying it, but I also know that I need to keep up with my silent sitting meditation as well.

Tomorrow I'll probably go back to tape 1 of the Gateway Tapes, because I really don't want to rush whatever process I'm starting.  I want to really understand the purpose of every step of these guided meditations.

Our New Fresno Hondo

On Sunday April 24th, 2022 I had the privilege of attending the Grand Opening of the new Fresno Buddhist Hondo that has, after a few delays, finally officially opened.  

I officially joined the Fresno Buddhist Temple just a couple weeks ago, and I'm very excited about this new (old) path.  Just a couple weeks ago I ran 70 miles from all the Temples in the Central Valley.  During my 70 mile run I visited Visalia, Reedley, Parlier, Kingsburg, Fowler, and Fresno.  I did this as a fundraiser for a local program that will put all the money we raised (so far $2,200.00) to a Buddhist Ministry program.  The reason I chose to do this was so that I could give back to my local Buddhist community.  Around July of last year I decided I wanted to explore Buddhism again, like I had several years ago... only this time I would do it correctly. 

* Link To Donate To Fundraiser *

The path that led me away from my Christian upbringing, later to Buddhism, then back to Christianity, and then eventually back to Buddhism is a long and complicated one, and will take me quite a bit of time to write... but I have started writing it.  Look for that blog post in about a month or two.  

Back on track...  Around July of last year I visited the Fresno Buddhist Temples website and saw that while they were not having in person services yet because of Covid, they were having services on YouTube and also a monthly Buddhism 101 class on Zoom.

I started watching the weekly services on YouTube and attending the monthly class on Zoom.

After attending classes for a few months I decided this was a path I wanted to continue on.  I felt compelled to give back to the local community in someone way, and a fundraiser that would involve running made the most sense.  I started researching where all the local Buddhist Temples were, and with the help of my new friend Reverend Kaz, I was on my way to running and taking a tour of the local Temples.

On April 2nd I ran from one temple to the next.  I had huge support from my family, friends, local running community, and local Buddhist Sangha. 

A few days before the run Reverend Kaz gave me a tour of the almost finished Fresno Hondo.  The building is breathtaking from the outside, and even more so on the inside.  I was really excited about doing the run and eventually being able to attend a service in person in the new Hondo.

The day after my run, an in person service was held outside the Hondo.  I was able to attend and meet several of the temple members.  Everyone was so inviting to me.  I was able to talk to members before and after the service, and I can honestly say that I felt like this is the place and community I've been searching for.

After attending my first in person service and talking to several members, I decided I would officially join the Sangha. 

When I later recieved an invitation to the ribbon cutting and in person service, I filled out the RSVP right away.

It was very exciting to be a part of the Fresno Temples next big step.  I look forward to the Dharma talks and being a new part of the Fresno Betsuin Family. 

Gassho