Tuesday, September 9, 2025

A NEW SERIES ON THE PARAMIS Exploring “Patience” (Khanti) with Joan Wilkins This week, Joan Wilkins will launch a new series on the Paramis that will be covered intermittently over the next several months. The Paramis, often translated as the “Perfections,” are perhaps better understood as qualities or blessings of the heart/mind that can be cultivated. They are considered crucial for both meditation and mindful engagement in everyday life. As one teacher, Sean Oakes, puts it, “The ten perfections are the qualities necessary for full awakening, a description of how awakened beings move through the world, and a map for bringing the Dharma into everything we do.” Joan will begin with a brief overview of the Paramis (full list below), followed by reflections on the Parami of Patience (Khanti). The Ten Paramis (Theravada Buddhism)  Generosity (Dana): Giving help and benefit to others. Morality (Sila): Living an ethical and virtuous life. Renunciation (Nekkhamma): Letting go of worldly desires and pleasures. Wisdom (Panna): Gaining a right understanding of life. Energy (Viriya): Enthusiasm, determination, and effort. Patience (Khanti): The ability to endure difficult situations without distress. Truthfulness (Sacca): Speaking and acting with honesty. Determination (Adhitthana): A steadfast resolve to achieve a goal. Loving-kindness (Metta): A benevolent attitude towards all beings. Equanimity (Upekkha): A balanced state of mind, remaining even amidst pleasant and unpleasant experiences.

Schedule (Tues., Sept. 9) 6:30-6:35: Announcements 6:35-7:05: Sitting Meditation 7:05-15: Walking Meditation 7:15-8:00: Exploring “Patience” (Joan Wilkins)

Upcoming Schedule
September 16: Contemplating Impermanence (Tess Wise)
September 23: On the Parami of Sila/Morality (Joan Wilkins)
September 30: On the Parami of Equanimity (Bosco Farr)
October 7: Metta Chanting (Joan Wilkins)
October 14: Mindfulness in Nature (Marc Farrow)

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Monthly Practice Discussion Group will meet the last Tuesday of each month (next gathering, Sept 30, 5:30pm)
The last Tuesday of each month, we will host a monthly peer-led Practice Discussion Group where members can share their experiences with Practice. We’ll share joys, frustrations, and questions about our practice as a way of checking in and supporting each other in Practice. All are welcome, whether they have a dedicated home practice, an occasional home practice, or no home practice at all.  

(2) WSDC March 2026 Retreat with Vance Pryor–WAITING LIST
The Winston-Salem Dharma Community invites you to join us for another retreat at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center. The retreat, from March 26-30, 2026, is entitled Seeing Clearly: The Four Noble Truths, with Vance Pryor returning as our teacher. Vance first taught us in 2024, to rave reviews. We are thrilled to have him back! You can listen to his talk, The Paramis — Ethics/Virtue, at this link. THE RETREAT IS NOW FULL, BUT YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST IN CASE SOME HAVE TO CANCEL THEIR REGISTRATION. YOU MAY ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST AT THIS LINK.

(3) Volunteer Opportunity
If you’re interested in serving as a “greeter” or helping set up the room before our weekly meetings, please contact  Bosco at devonmfarr@gmail.com. You can be regular or intermittent, and no special skills or knowledge are needed.