Session Recaps

Hello Dear Friends, 

It is a true privilege to embark on this journey of practice and learning with you. May our shared study and embodiment of The Five Remembrances support us in living with greater wakefulness and intentionality.

For those who couldn't join our first gathering—or for those who simply want to revisit the highlights—we’ve put together a brief recap. Our first meeting focused on orienting ourselves to the course resources and building a collective "container" for the months ahead. With over 70 participants joining from around the world, we are deeply grateful for the energy you brought to this shared beginning.

Orientation Highlights:

Teaching Team Change:  We shared that Becky Hiller is transitioning her focus to other practice pursuits, and we are delighted to welcome Kim Neuschel to the teaching team.

Syllabus/Resources:  Please see the note below on resources.  We shared that we will not have a set list of study materials, rather we will provide a list of possible options for reflection, study, and practice.  

Practice Pods:

In the next couple of days, you will receive an email from the mahasangha email address (mahasanghapractice@gmail.com) with the names and contact information of your assigned Practice Pod, which will include 3-4 people.  While there may be different time zones represented within each group, we hope that you might reach out to your pod-mates and find ways to be in contact between sessions, whether that is through a WhatsApp messaging or meeting virtually.

Session Format:

Each session will include a combination of Zazen (silent meditation, also known as just sitting), teaching, experiential practice, and meeting in small groups.  We will also plan to engage in the practice of kinhin (walking meditation) around the midpoint of each session, to allow for a comfort break and to have a little movement to break up the two hour session.  

Zazen and Kinhin will both involve the use of a meditation bell.  

• Zazen, 3 bells to start sitting, 1 bell to end.

• Kinhin:  2 bells to start (bow on the 1st, walk on the 2nd), 1 bell to end.

Chants

Our practice will include several chants during our study sessions.  

• Opening Sitting: The Five Remembrances

• Closing Sitting: The Intention Verse

• Closing Session: The Four Practice Principles 

Relational Support in Zoom:

• We encourage everyone to keep their camera on as much as possible during the session to increase our sense of connection.  

• You may find it helpful to reorganize the squares to move people who feel relationally settling to your primary screen and/or close to your square.

The Art of Meeting:

When in breakout rooms, we invite you to practice deep listening and receptivity. Try to fully take in what is shared without the pressure of a conversational response. A simple expression of appreciation for your partner's words is a beautiful way to close each turn.  In response to feedback from the Paramitas study - we plan to offer longer time in small group discussion during sessions.

Your Practice Space:  Consider setting up your physical space to support your practice and engagement.  

Teaching & Recording:

We recorded the first session and have shared it on Youtube with links on the course website.  On the website you can find the full-length recording of the session (with the exception of time spent in breakout sessions).

You can find those recordings on the course webpage here:  https://www.mahasanghapractice.org/five-remembrances-study/session-recordings

Teaching Resources:

You can find a copy of resources that were shared during the session on the website under Session Resources:  https://www.mahasanghapractice.org/five-remembrances-study/session-resources

Deepening Practice Question:

Kim offered two questions to help us deepen our engagement with impermanence in our lives:  

A Reflection for the Month Ahead: 

• How is the ‘heavenly messenger’ of impermanence showing up in your life right now?

• And what is it telling you?

Resources for Reflection and Practice:

In preparing for this journey, we realized that the "curriculum" for the Five Remembrances is already present all around us—in the art we consume, the music we hear, the stories we share, and everyday life experiences. Rather than following a single text, we have gathered a diverse collection of articles, books, dharma talks, poems, and films to support your engagement.  We invite you to choose one or more of these entry points to deepen your exploration of impermanence.

Here are a few optional "entry points" to get you started:

• Article:  Koun Franz - Buddhism’s “Five Remembrances” Are Wake-Up Calls for Us All

• Article:  Impermanence in Buddha Nature https://www.lionsroar.com/impermanence-is-buddha-nature/

• Video Clip:  Molly is Taught the Process of Dying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8a0pUaCGQU

• Book:  Frank Ostaseski - The Five Invitations

• Book: Susan Moon - Alive Until You’re Dead

There are many other options available on the website (link below in "where to find it").

Our Invitation to You: If you encounter a resource that resonates with your practice or offers a fresh perspective on impermanence, we invite you to share it with us. Whether it is a piece of music, a podcast interview, or a meaningful video clip, your discovery could deeply support the practice of our entire community.

• How to contribute: Simply email your suggestion to mahasanghapractice@gmail.com.

• Where to find it: We will add these contributions to our course website so the "curriculum" can continue to grow through our collective wisdom.  https://sites.google.com/view/paramitas-study/five-remembrances-study/entry-points-for-reflection

Thank you:

Thank you for the generosity of your presence and for the ways that you showed up to share and support one another in this study.

For those who were not able to attend this first session, thank you for signing up to participate in this course and for being with us in spirit today.  Your belonging is not lessened by not being able to attend the first session (or any subsequent sessions).

We hope that the month ahead allows an opportunity to connect with one or more of the resources and be present to impermanence in your life.

We are excited to support the learning and practice of this group and we are available for questions, concerns, or clarification at mahasanghapractice@gmail.com.  

May our intention equally permeate every being and place with the true merit of Buddha’s Way.

With kindness, 

Jessica, Kim, Ryan, Shelley, and Trudy 

Coming in March 2026

Coming in April 2026

Coming in May 2026

Coming in June 2026