Editorial
by Chris Brown

In this issue, we touch on the immense and sobering subject of dukkha, a Sanskrit word often translated as ‘suffering’. Rev Norman Fischer draws on the Four Noble Truths and teachings from Jewish mythology to expound the meaning of suffering as it is experienced in human life. With pointed clarity, he draws attention to misunderstandings brought about by this most common translation of dukkha, insisting that dukkha, rather than referring to relatively rare occasions of immense anguish, is simply the basic and often unconscious unsatisfactoriness of our lives. He explains, “We don't live with equanimity. We grasp things that aren't really there; we operate in the world that we want rather than the world that is there; and underneath our daily consciousness is always this anxiety, this fear, this immense longing, because somehow we know that the world is not what we think it is.”

While acknowledging that dukkha is ever-present in human experience, even in our greatest joys, it was still with great pleasure that we welcomed Catherine Gammon, a priest from San Francisco Zen Center, to visit a number of groups around the UK this past Summer. In this issue, Michael describes and expresses gratitude for Catherine’s time in the South West. During Catherine’s stay, she ran a number of “Writing as a Wisdom Project” retreats. Those who attended are welcomed and encouraged to submit their creative writings produced during those retreats for inclusion in the next (Winter) edition of Mountain Silence. Please email any text to Bev Eatwell (beatwell69[at]hotmail.com).

News
Reb Anderson Roshi not visiting UK in 2011

You may have noticed that Reb is not listed in the schedule at Gaia House in 2011. This has been due to a problem agreeing upon dates that suited both Reb and Gaia House. Unfortunately it appears that the next possible date for a visit from Reb will not be until the Spring of 2012. In the meantime, priest Kaiyo Diane Gerard from San Francisco Zen Center is planning to be available to lead a short retreat (three or four days) or a few one or two day retreats in the UK next year, likely around the time of August and early September.

Dharma Talk
Suffering
by Rev. Norman Fischer

Let me start with the question, what exactly is suffering? On the most obvious level we all understand that suffering is some sort of pain or some kind of trouble, something unpleasant, something we don't like, something we don't want. Suffering seems to be the opposite of happiness. Read more...

Article
Catherine Gammon's visit to Totnes Sangha
by Michael Elsmere

0700, Wednesday 7th July, 2010. Heathrow terminal 1. The United Airlines flight from San Francisco has landed on time and Francis Checkley and I are waiting at arrivals as an interminable stream of world travellers emerges, still perhaps air borne, wide eyed into a hustling world of movement and harsh lights. Eventually she emerges; a small figure dressed in black. Read more...

Article
Suffering
by Francis Checkley

The existentialist writer Jean-Paul Sartre once observed that "L'Enfer, c'est les autres". Hell is others. This otherness is suffering. Early childhood experience, marked by an oceanic and blissful feeling of oneness soon gives way to a growing sense of separation and the accompanying suffering that Sartre alludes to. Read more...

Extract
A Handful of Leaves
from Venerable Ajahn Sumedho's book 'The Four Noble Truths'

The Blessed One was once living at Kosambi in a wood of simsapa trees. He picked up a few leaves in his hand, and he asked the bhikkhus, “How do you conceive this, bhikkhus. Which is more, the few leaves that I have picked up in my hand or those on the trees in the wood?” Read more...

Book Reviews
Two novels of exile and loss
by Michael Elsmere

We often hear from politicians of all colours the phrase, “the British are a tolerant people.” Often cited are the various waves of immigration that have taken place into the country most recently from Eastern Europe but before that from Africa, the Caribbean, Jews from Europe and further back in history the Hugeonots escaping persecution in France. There is often a tone of self congratulation about the phrase which is then often followed by “but,” with a long string of reasons why immigration should be reduced or even cease. Read more...

Rotation of Mountian Silence editor role

by Chris Brown

In the interests of democracy and equal opportunity, the roles of officers supporting Dancing Mountains have been proposed to operate on a rotational basis, such that after a period of time each role will be offered to the Sangha as a whole so that someone can volunteer themselves for the position. While Dancing Mountains is still in the process of creating a constitution that would specify how and when this should be done, I take this opportunity to advertise the position of editor of Mountain Silence to any willing volunteers, having been performing this role for almost 2 years now. The role involves receiving submissions for the newsletter and use them to create web-based articles, using an appropriate HTML editor (such as Dreamweaver). Prior experience with creating HTML documents would be a plus, but can be learnt relatively quickly by someone who is technically minded. Please contact me at chrisb.by.name[at]gmail.com to express your interest.

Next issue of Mountain Silence
Winter edition with a theme around "Birth". We welcome your articles, poetry, pictures, letters, retreat reflections and book reviews! Winter issue publication date: 15th January, deadline for submission of material 30th December.

Upcoming Events
Click here for further details of these events. *DM indicates a retreat using Dancing Mountains forms and liturgy.

November 13- 14
Chan weekend retreat.
Led by Ned Reiter.
Shekinashram, Devon.

November 19- 20
W eekend retreat.
Castle Acre, Norfolk.
Contact Carol (carolhunter135@hotmail.com) or 01366 502106


Local Contacts
Visit the Local Groups webpage for details of Dancing Mountains groups in your area, and the Diary for their regular meeting dates and times.


Donations
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