Location: Brockton Oval in Stanley Park, behind the concession near the Totel Poles.

http://www.google.com/maps?source=uds&q=brockton+oval+stanley+park+vanco...

TWO-TONED STAR RISING!

Big Sky Freedom's inaugural Freedom Sit in Stanley Park was an inspiring success. To all those participants - you have our deepest gratitude. Your devotion to these values is both rare and beautiful, like the Morning Star on a cool Autumn dawn.

Concerning our Freedom Sits during the late Fall and wintertime - there has been some discussion among our members about how and where to hold our meditation sits - particularly in the advent of bad weather like heavy rain or snow. Our community had initially considered holding our Freedom Sits at an indoor location during the winter months. However, some members did not support this idea but rather forwarded the idea of continuing our Sit in Stanley Park, no matter the weather, for the following, thoughtful reasons:

1. The need to keep consistency to our events. Changing venues could lead to confusion on the location of the Freedom Sit. It may even lead to the question of whether or not the Sit would take place, if, for some reason, we could not reserve a space. Reserving and renting space will also cost money and this responsibility would have to fall on some of our members. With this, many members think that BSF should stay consistent with its principles of being FREE, EQUAL and OPEN to all participants. Continuing to hold the Sit in the public park will assure us of this.

2. It is a testament to the bold power and commitment of our community if we brave the elements and continue our Sit in the park no matter the weather - be it bitter or sweet. Issues of convenience and small discomfort should not sway us. We are sitting to heal, to witness and to embody our ideals - but we are also sitting in solidarity with all suffering beings. Victims of personal and institutional/state violence, victims of war, oppression-dominion and genocide, prisoners of conscience, refugees, animals facing slaughter, loss of habitat and extinction, the dispossessed, the poor, the sick, the ill and the dying: they do not have the luxury of choices regarding enjoyment, convenience and comfort - many do not even enjoy the reality of choice itself. We must remember these beings and keep them in our hearts and minds. Making the monthly commitment to our Sit, no matter the circumstances, is our way of doing this. It is a way of having compassion for them and a way for us to truly be "peace pilgrims" by making the commitment to our practice the cornerstone of our practice.

In this light of these points, we feel that BSF must honour this request - heed this call - AND CONTINUE TO SCHEDULE OUR LATE FALL AND WINTER FREEDOM SITS IN STANLEY PARK.

Nevertheless, due to the fact that sitting still in the pouring rain, sleet, blowing snow or cold, wet mud is never all that fun and that it may have a negative impact on the health of participants, BSF has decided, THAT DURING BAD WEATHER, WE WILL CHANGE THE FORMAT OF THE FREEDOM SIT, FROM A MEDITATION SIT TO A WALKING MEDITATION OF AT LEAST 45 MINUTES. Mindful walking, slow or swift, is a both a good meditation and will serve to generate warmth and energy for participants.

And a reminder: please dress appropriately for the weather in the open park! Please keep warm and dry.