We continue our dharma discussion this month with a selected reading from Charlotte Joko Beck's Nothing Special.  This month's talk "Experiences and Experiencing" (click to view)  comes from Section 4  "Change."  A list of questions (Click to View) are provided with the intent to offer some structure to our discussion .  It is recommended that after you do the reading reflect on them prior to our dharma discussion on July 29.   We look forward to seeing you on July 29th from. 7-8:30 at Brunner Chapel.  _()_

Please find our Fall 2015-Summer 2016 retreat schedule below.  Aside from our Temenos retreat in June (more info forthcoming), all day long retreats at the church are free with a recommended donation of $25 to the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington.  
 
Why should I attend a retreat?  A retreat is an opportunity to immerse ourselves in practice. Spending a day or weekend together in presence cultivates the wisdom of just being. We are experiencing our true selves free of ideas that needlessly complicate our lives and the lives of those at home, work, etc.   Retreat is therefore an opportunity for experiencing deeply what the great Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki in his classic book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, wonderfully described as our "beginner's mind":
 
"In the beginner's mind there is no thought, "I have attained something." All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something. The beginner's mind is the mind of compassion. . . There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind. You should not say, "I know what Zen is," or "I have attained enlightenment." This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner. Be very very careful about this point. If you start to practice zazen, you will begin to appreciate your beginner's mind. It is the secret of Zen practice."
 
We invite you to come and find out for yourself!
  
Saturday September 26, 2015   9am-4pm
Saturday November  21, 2015   9am-4pm
Saturday January 9, 2016   9am-4pm
Saturday April 9, 2016   9am-4pm 
June 2016 Weekend Retreat at Temenos (Days TBA)

Dear Friends,
Tonight's Practice (Wed, July 8th) will be held in the Church Youth Center.  Once you enter the church stay on the first floor and make your way down and around the hall way all the way to the end.  The Youth Center is at the end, we will have a sign posted on the door.  
Thanks!    _()_