I just got back from a lovely overnight retreat with the Earth Sangha. There was a small group of us, and I really hope to carry the positive momentum and energy from the mediation retreat with me into daily practice. This morning we did 108 "prostrations" which consisted of kneeling and bowing; the number reminded me of being in Raleigh for the Winter Solstice this past year, and the yoga studio/school I visited was doing 108 sun salutations on the solstice. There is power in the number:) Below is the sutra that we chanted after each sitting. It was beautiful to be in a country house for the night, with fresh air, open spaces, and a long and winding driveway. The property was about 100 acres, with a large meadow and walking trail through a forest. It was absolutely lovely :)
The Maha Prajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra
The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion from the deep practice of Prajnaparamita perceived the emptiness of all five skandas and delivered all beings from their suffering.
O Sariputra, form is no other than emptiness,
emptiness no other than form.
Form is emptiness, emptiness form.
The same is true of feeling, thought, impulse and consciousness.
O Sariputra, all dharmas are empty. They are not born or annihilated. They are not defiled nor immaculate. They do not increase nor decrease. So in emptiness no form, no feeling, no thought, no impulse, no consciousness.
No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind; no form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or objects of mind, no realm of sight, no realm of consciousness.
No ignorance, nor extinction of ignorance, no old age and death, nor extinction of them.
No suffering, no cause of suffering, no cease from suffering, no path to lead out of suffering,
no knowledge, no attainment, no realization,
for there is nothing to attain.
The Bodhisattva holds on to nothing but Prajnaparamita therefore the mind is clear of any delusive hindrance.Without hindrance there is no fear, away from all perceived views one reaches final nirvana.
All Buddhas of past, present and future through faith in Prajnaparamita attain to the highest perfect enlightenment.
Know then the Prajnaparamita is the great dharani,
the radiant peerless mantram, the utmost supreme mantram,
which is capable of allaying all pain.
This is true beyond all doubt.
Proclaim now the highest wisdom, the Prajnaparamita.
Gate, Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi, Svaha!
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