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                              The Third and Fourth Kind of Nutriments                                                &                       Sister True Dedication’s Commentary         from "Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet" by T N Hanh   Consciousness is the third type of Nutriment and Thay says we can call it by two names, collective consciousness and individual consciousness. The two types inter-are. Individual consciousness reflects the collective.  We consume both every day and they are very real! Thay says our thoughts, feelings and states of mind are a kind of food entering our body and mind. We need to be mindful and not ruminate over sadness or suffering, or our consciousness can become unwholesome food. We can use appropriate attention to different kinds of thoughts. Mindfully we choose thoughts we know will nourish us and help us grow. Thay gives the example of seeing a friend carried away by his/her thinking and their face expresses anxiety and sadness.  W
 Went to a wonderful 3 day retreat with the Austin Sangha, Plum Blossom Sangha.  There were about 10 of us from the San Antonio sangha and lots of folks from Austin.  About 50  meditators or so in total.  Terry Cortez led the retreat and she was terrific.  Listening was the focus.  I loved the whole experience and would recommend this retreat to anyone.  The focus changes each year, but the annual Austin sangha retreat is always great!
 Father Sun, Mother Earth, Sister Bird, Brother Tree, We Share Happiness in Our Family.
This morning the SA Plum Branch "walking group" walked mindfully at Harbinger  Park.  What a beautiful morning: sun to warm us, birds singing and little buds starting to open!  Wonderful company of fellow meditators brings out our collective joy and compassion.  Please join us if you like.  We meet each Sunday at 8am and walk for about an hour in the peaceful trails  throughout Phil Harbinger Park off of NW Military Highway at the Environmental Center.
 I found two evening gathas on the Plum Village app. I'm good!
 I am thinking about a "gatha" for bed-time.  If any of you have one to suggest I would appreciate you sharing it.  Thank you.
 Last night I was with my sangha for our regular meditation time. We did our usual 10min. sit,  & 10 min. walk. Then we  experienced a guided meditation by our dear teacher, Tich Nhat Hanh via an archived podcast.  I felt so peaceful, so calm. After the dharma talk by one of our wonderful order of interbeing leaders, we discussed our teacher, Thay, and what meaning his continuation (death) last month meant to us.  It was very beautiful and restoring.  I gratefully bow deeply to the Plum Branch Sangha of San Antonio.