The new weekly Chester Metta Circle sessions began this afternoon in the historic 17th Century Dutch Houses in Chester. This follows on from a couple of months of evening meditation sessions in the same venue, Sally's Secret Garden crafts and gift shop. It was a lovely beginning, eight people came along and after some guided metta we discussed the old Buddhist story of Kisa Gotami. We'll have a theme for discussion each time connected in some way with love, not only "spiritual" love, but all the complex, sometimes messy, often beautiful expressions of love and friendship and connection in our daily life. The sessions will be weekly at 3.30pm-4.45(ish) on 22 Bridge Street Row North. Suggested donation of around £4 very welcome, but not essential, to cover costs.
On a personal note - I thought long and hard about whether to focus the weekly Chester group on metta meditation or stay with longer silent zen-style practice. The day after I decided to go with metta, I found this lovely statue in a charity shop in Chester... it's Kwan Yin, the female Buddha of Love from China. I took it as a poetic affirmation that I've made the right choice, and I brought it along to be a small symbol of what we're doing together.
May we all be well and happy and appreciate one another,
Chris Starbuck
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