HUDDERSFIELD GROUP
The group meets on Thursday evenings from 7.30 to about 9.45pm at Wooldale Friend`s Meeting House near Holmfirth. We usually have a ceremony followed by sitting/walking meditation. We then have tea accompanied by some discussion, listening to a taped talk or just a chat. Meditation instruction is available for newcomers, who are very welcome.
Our group monk is Rev Myfanwy, who regularly visits lead evening and day retreats. Please telephone for details of dates etc.
We have just had a retreat led by Reverend Myfanwy, which everyone seemed to find very helpful. No definite date has been fixed for her next visit, which will probably be in October. The
date will be announced at the meetings, and can also be obtained by telephoning the Group.

WESAK 2000 in HARROGATE
On 20 May the Harrogate SRM was joined by Sangha members from Huddersfield, Hull and Leeds in a Celebration of the Buddha`s Birth, at which we were also pleased to welcome Reverends Saido, Hogetsu, Myfanwy, Roland and Edwin. A beautiful new chant and plainsong setting, composed by Reverend Roland and based on the "Light of Asia" by Sir Edwin Arnold, added greatly to the joyful dignity of the ceremony. Reverend Hogetsu gave the Dharma talk, explaining that the ladling of water over the baby Buddha signified the cleansing water of the spirit during meditation. After a picnic lunch some of us went for a stroll on the nearby Stray, and the day ended with a singing of the Vandana Ti Sarana and the Pancha Sila. Many thanks to all who contributed to this very happy day.
Pat Oldham

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Returning
by an unused path --
violets
(Bakusai, 1720-83)
Most prefer to use the lift in the seven storey University Library. The gloomy stairway is left to but a few. I started using it for exercise, but that changed. The sparsely used stairs rasp like sandpaper. You can hear your shoe soles scour across them; you can feel the sound grate through you.
Starting a circular breathing motion on the ground floor, as I rise to the fifth I feel my breathing deepen. It becomes regular and in tune with the rasp of soles. Landings pass, dimly lit, not affecting the sound of breathing and the shh...shh of soles. Time slows. My hand slides over the cold, smooth bannister; I am completely present in the gloom.
Before this practice, I would be a bit breathless upon reaching the fourth landing; now any breathlessness is subsumed into the sound of shoes on stairs. Fifth floor: I walk out into a different silence. What I will absorb now is a type of Knowledge, an ascent perhaps; what I leave in the stairwell is something else.
Ed Abramson

Please note two changes in the Liverpool Group. We now meet twice monthly, and the Reverend Saido has taken over from the Reverend Peter as our group monk. For further details please contact me. Telephone number and address are on page 20.
Since I have spoken to several groups on the subject of group dynamics, and have felt this to be of enormous benefit, if anyone would like to ring me for a chat on this subject they will be very welcome.
Lynne Heidi Stumpe

MANCHESTER GROUP
In June of this year we had the privilege of organising the first women`s retreat organised for the Manchester Group. We were please that as many as 12 women were able to attend, and it became a very special day for us all, during which we all felt very connected and involved with the Buddhist teachings even though over half of those present had little or no experience of Buddhism. Reverend Myfanwy had a beautiful way of bringing out her own femininity, which created a soft and gentle atmosphere for all of us. A feeling of safe refuge pervaded the whole day, and it was humbling to feel that we had had this opportunity to bring the Dharma to others outside our won group. A further meeting of this kind is planned for late
October or early November. Date to be announced at group meetings.
Carol Rowley

We hold weekly meetings on Tuesday evenings commencing at 7.30 at Steve Makin`s house. Address and telephone number on page 20. Whenever possible Reverend Alfrid will visit the group once a month. The dates of his visits will be announced at group meetings.
Steve Makin

New Group at Leeds
A new SRM group is being formed in the Leeds area. Those who are interested in joining this group should contact:
Treasa Cassidy
2 Lumley Walk
Burley
Leeds CS4 2NR
TN = 0113 2899790

Newcastle Group: weekday meetings are on most Thursdays between 7,30 pm and 9.30 pm. Please contact Kay Hinett, The Coach House, Rear of Henshelwood Tce, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 3AU, TN = 0191 2815750