We started the day experiencing the peaceful zen meditation facilitated by one of our core group members Jake Batoon. He said that Zen meditation or "Zazen" is a coming home to oneself or being one with ourselves. In this experience, we are made aware of what is happening within us and around us. This is why we keep our eyes half open and half closed. Breathing is also important. As we breath in, we accept everything specially the good things and as we exhale we release the bad things. Although Zen Meditation is associated with Buddhism, other people from different religions can practice this because Meditation is like praying and acknowledging the divine in us.
Two MPAI core group members were able to participate in this meditation and they are Gabby Medina and Oscar Ejercito. Another Zen meditation can be scheduled soon so that other MPAI members who failed to join this can join the next zen meditation. Too bad we were not able to take pictures because we were also the participants so I'll just show here some pics from the internet.
Before we concluded the zen meditation, we prayed the four great aspirations and I'll share this here. "Creations are innumerable, I resolve to free them all. Delusions are inexhaustible, I resolve to extinguish them all. The aspects of truth are countless, I resolve to learn and master them all. The way to enlightenment is peerless, I resolve to accomplish it." Some people think or believe that enlightenment is only for the Buddha but enlightenment is in fact for everyone. We just have to love. If we love ourselves and people around us, we shall have joy. If we have joy that can only come from God then we shall have peace. If we have peace then we are already enlightened.
After zazen, we enjoyed a nice meal at Buddy's resto along Timog, Quezon city. We also talked about the SOPP and our plans for MPAI. Jake wasn't able to attend the SOPP because he wasn't always online but he was happy that Gabby and Oscar pulled it off with the help of Peace Maker's circle in such short time. He also promised to help give mandala writing workshop if we work with him according to his free schedule. We also need a new supply of Mandala papers from Byakko Shinko kai because the mandala papers that we have were already used. Once we have the mandala writing papers, we can already schedule the groups for the workshop.
Rocky was able to join us during lunch and took a photo of us so that he can share it with us and Kuya Toots. So far we have identified three groups for the workshop namely the group led by the Columban priest, prisoners of Muntinlupa and the children with conflict with the law. We will also print the brochure and continue on with the film-making about how to do a Mandala writing. Hopefully we shall get a budget for this soon. Regarding budget, Gabby gave an honorarium to Oscar for facilitating the Taichi meditation during the SOPP. The money came from Toots. An honorarium was also given to Madelyn, who was not able to attend, for taking pictures during the SOPP and uploading them in facebook. Jake suggested that the divinity in should also be performed to the participants of the Mandala writing workshop to set the atmosphere or mood before starting mandala writing. Gabby added that the meanings of the action prayer should also be shared. After the lunch meeting, Jake went ahead to attend another meeting. Minutes after, Mitch, Gabby's wife, arrived and join in the discussion. Kuya Toots, in a way, was there with us through Rocky because he also gave suggestions through text.
May Peace Prevail On Earth! Until our next meeting. God bless everyone! :-)
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