Refuge: So it begins

And now a message from our sponsor.  Actually, from David Weinstein:

"Hello Everybody. We're planning to have a Refuge Ceremony in the Spring of 2012. There are a number of people already involved in the process and as I've been hanging out with the precepts as koans with people in preparation for the ceremony, I find myself wanting to share the richness of doing that with the community. To that end, after the Thanksgiving holiday, I will start posting a short talk each week, taking up each of the 16 vows. It's my hope that the small discussion groups will use the 'vow of the week' as their topic. Though an individual decision, taking the precepts occurs in the context of the support of the community. This is mirrored in the form of the ceremony, where not only is each participant invited to present their responses to the vows, but the community is there bearing witness, and reciting the vows together with the participants. To have the broader community exploring the vows at the same time as the people who will be taking the precepts in the Spring will add a richness and depth to the process for us all. The files of my talks will be posted on the Wind-in-Grass website, as the PZI website is in transition. We can use the WIG blog as a place to post comments that will help to cross fertilize our conversations.Wishing you all a great Thanksgiving holiday, "