a lotus for you from Magnolia Grove Monastery

[MagnoliaVillage]

November 6, 2010

We hope this email finds you peaceful and well. Waking up this
morning, the Brothers and Sisters were able to see frost on the grass
for the first time. Even though the weather was very cold, but we
practice stopping and fully enjoy what is present. The winter is
coming and soon, Magnolia Grove Monastery will have its own first
Winter Retreat. The Winter Retreat starts on November 21, 2010 until
February 21, 2011. You are welcome to take part of the retreat with
us, for a weekend, one week or two weeks. During the retreat, the
monastics as well as lay practitioners are encouraged to minimize
traveling to town, unless it is urgent or for grocery shopping for the
community. This is a time for the sangha to deepen the practice,
cultivate the stillness in body, as well as in the mind.

One of the happiest news we would like to share with you is that a
plan to build our Teacher’s hut is taking place. During this Winter
Retreat, the Monastics as well as friends who volunteer their time
will have a chance to build this hut together and at the same time,
build brotherhood and sisterhood to offer to our Teacher, who will be
coming to the monastery in September 2011. We always are in need for
volunteers and financial help. If you would like to help with this
plan, please share with us.

Another news we would like to share with you is that due to the legal
documents, a request has been made for the monastery to change its
name. With our Teacher’s compassion and insight, Thay has given a new
name to the monastery and it is Magnolia Grove Monastery. We hope that
you will embrace and welcome this new name like you had done with
Magnolia Village.

From now on, the monastery is going to host Days of Mindfulness on
Sundays for the English speaking friends and Vietnamese speaking
friends on the same day. There is no distinction on which week is for
Vietnamese speaking and which week is for English speaking. English
and Vietnamese translations are always available to our friends.
Therefore, we would like to invite you to join us on any Day of
Mindfulness that is best for your convenient. Diversity is an aspect
that is important and supportive in making the monastery a more
beautiful place for friends and monastics to practice.

Please accept our apology for sending out this late invitation to you
for joining us for the Day of Mindfulness tomorrow, November 7, 2010.
The schedule for the day is as followed:

9:00- Walking meditation
10:00- Guided sitting meditation and DVD teachings Dharma Talk from
Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
11:30- 2 Promises and 5 mindfulness trainings recitation
12:30- Formal lunch

We look forward to seeing you one day. May your hearts be filled with
joy and peace.

The Brothers and Sisters of Magnolia Grove Monastery

Magnolia Grove Monastery
123 Towles Rd.
Batesville, MS. 38606
www.magnoliavillage.org
off...@magnoliavillage.org
662 578 2077