Author Archives: John Barter
Springtime Newsletter 2020
Dear Friends
FIND A FOREST
We have arrived in Spring, a most wonderful season of the year that resonates and expresses so much of nature.
While the issues of men, women and humankind can be confusing and distressing; nature can express something perennial in its own cycles and seasons of ebb and flow.
This last season of Winter has been challenging for many, particularly psycho-emotionally in wintering through change and uncertainty.
However, Spring offers forth the blossoms and blessings of hope in the fruition...
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ATTENDING TO ATTENTIVENESS
Dear Friends
Sadly, much of our direct and correct experience of life is missed due to our lack of Mindful Attention. Not only do we miss out on what is happening always and only now, but we also miss out seeing the truth of things through the cause-effect relationship particularly with regards to the mental making of the sense of self. The mind’s continual mental comments and self -commentary of critique, concern and complaint; creates the illusion of a self-somebody...
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Mid-Winter E- News Letter
Dear Friends
Trusting this message finds you well and warm at this time of Mid-Winter.
Our Year 2020 is certainly passing by as we now find ourselves in August.
Because of the COVID-19 situation, it is very easy to feel that our year has not quite happened or been put on hold or held back!
At a certain level with regards to activities and events this is the case; however from another perspective, our year is still happening.
Our moments keep passing, turning into...
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STILLNESS, SILENCE AND SPACIOUSNESS – THE THREE ‘NON-THINGS’
Dear Friends
All that is thought, sensed and savoured is only possible because of what I refer to as the Three Non-Things!
These three ‘Non-Things’ surround, support and allow us to discern distinguish and know all that we experience.
The three ‘Non-Things’ are Stillness, Silence and Spaciousness.
We can only know Movement because of Stillness.
We only hear Sound because of Silence.
We only recognise Objects because of Spaciousness.
This is not just the case for all things physical and external to us but also things...
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EQUANIMITY IS THE WAY
Dear Friends
Of all the qualities and traits that can help us through the highs, lows and plateaus of life, Equanimity is superbly supreme!
Equanimity is the alliance of Compassion and Wisdom, forming a balanced approach of Wise-Kindness, so helpful in dealing with challenge and change, with disappointment and distress.
In the Buddha’s Teachings, Equanimity is appreciated and practiced as one of the ‘Four Spiritual Abiding’s; one of the ‘Seven Factors of Awakening’ and one of the ‘Ten Spiritual Virtues’.
Equanimity is a...
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THE FOUR POSTURES OF NOW
Dear Friends
Have you noticed, that where ever we are and when ever we are; no matter what we are thinking, feeling or doing or experiencing ;that it is going to be happening in one of the Four Postures that we use as human beings!
Whilst in these postures of sitting, standing, walking or lying down, we can come to our senses both literally and metaphorically. Mindfulness makes this happen!
In the same way, our Meditation can be practiced in any of...
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WHERE SACRED SILENCE IS!
Dear Friends
What does it take to both see the need to change and actually make change happen!
Whilst we know that all things are subject to impermanence and change, there are some things and some times when we need to consciously but mindfully make some changes our self.
This is particularly appropriate when we see that things are not working and maybe have not been working for some time; that if we don’t make the changes required, then things will continue...
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Winter Newsletter 2020
Dear Friends
Welcome to Winter 2020 – trusting this WELL-AWARE-NESS newsletter finds you both well and warm.
We now find ourselves almost half way through this year 2020!
Maybe this is our year of ‘Retreat’. A year to slow down, quieten down, live and be happy within the limitations that we exist with. A year to listen and learn while also becoming wise and caring.
Whilst we know that in time many of the restrictions and limitations that we have had to deal...
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LOOK AND LET-GO!
Dear Friends
Most of our stress, angst and unease is created and caused by our own attachments and reactions to things. The benefit of seeing and appreciating this is that, whilst we do cause our stress and suffering; we can also un-cause or un do our stress and suffering.
Our Real Peace, Real Freedom and Real Happiness is ‘an inside job!’
Connecting to Nature, and that which is perennial, beyond views and opinions can calm and clear the mind of much unnecessary...
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EXCELLENT ATTENTION AND EXQUISITE AWARENESS
Dear Friends
Sometimes we find ourselves attracted and distracted into the externals of our life; the various happenings, situations and circumstances. In this we easily forget to maintain our Mindfulness and what I am calling ‘Excellent Attention’ and ‘Exquisite Awareness’.
In times of trouble and turbulence it becomes most important to maintain our clarity of Awareness, recognising and remembering what is Real, Reality and Dhamma; and what is just racket, rort and drama!
So, let’s keep Calm and Clear Minded and maintain our...
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