Sangha Night

Having gone to the forest, the shade of a tree, or an empty building, the meditator, body held erect, brings mindfulness to the fore.  

For 5 sangha nights in October we will explore the Buddha's direct teaching of the Anapanasati Sutta. Developing sensitivity to the Body, our Feelings, our Mental Habits, and the Dharma, sets the foundation for developing deeper experiences of dhyana and personal insights related to daily life.   

“Whatever one keeps pursuing with one’s thinking and pondering, that becomes the inclination of the mind.”  --The Buddha

Does your mind ever get caught in negative habitual thinking? Do you ever feel like a small boat riding upon the stormy oceans of the mind?  Please join Danadasa in an exploration of the imagination and creative ways to reshape our minds and transform our lives. 

Sept 4:   The Role of the Imagination in the Spiritual Life

Sept 11: The Journey from Isolation to Connection

Wednesdays, 7pm to 9pm, August 7 to 28

This month Prasadachitta and Shunyamala will combine meditation and experiential exercises to help us address the stresses and pain in our life with mindfulness and kindness. Slowing down and reconnecting with our breath, body and heart we can cultivate the awareness and resilience we need to experience more freedom and ease even in the middle of complicated and challenging circumstances.

July 3:  Independence? 

Join us for meditation and some pre-holiday reflections on freedom, the illusion of an independent self, and other possibilities.  With Padmatara.

July 10: Suicide, Escape and Liberation

The cessation of suffering is central to Buddhism.   It is also central to suicide.  On this Sangha Night, we will look for insights about both Buddhist practice and suicide that might arise by tracing this common thread that runs through them. 

This month members of our community will talk about ways they bring their Buddhist practice to the world, and the world to their Buddhist practice. 

This month as part of our "Bringing Everything to the Path" theme, Medhahshri is asking people in the Sangha to talk about their skills and talents and the ways they influence and are influenced by their spiritual path and practice.

May 1 - Danadasa: Bringing Faith on the Path  

May 8 - Medhahshri: Moving from Knowledge to Wisdom: college teaching and Dharma practice

May 15 - Michaela: Sharing our skills & talents with confidence and love

May 22 - Acarasiddhi: Writing and the Path

May 29 - Viradhamma: Music, Dharma and the sound of the Cello

What is the cause of discord and strife? Is it possible to live a life free of stress and anxiety? What the Buddha taught 2500 years ago continues to be relevant to our modern age. Please join us during the month of April to explore some important Teachings of the Buddha from the Pali Canon (a collection of the teachings attributed to the Buddha).

April 3: Prasadachitta

On April 10 we will take a break from this series for a special event:

Whatever our physical age we're all changing all of the time. Some times it's more noticeable than others, some things seem to get harder, while some get easier. How we respond to each moment influences the next. 

This month Karunadevi, along with Nanasiri, Danamaya and Acarasiddhi, all long-time Sangha members, will reflect on their experience and share what has worked for them in working with the wonders and challenges of our ever-changing lives.

Our Wednesday Sangha Night Program resumes Feb 6 2019, introducing a new theme for the year - Bringing Everything to the Path.  

How would it be if we could look at everything that happens in our world, including, or perhaps especially, the annoying or difficult things, as tools to help to wake up?  

This year we'll explore this question in many different ways. 

Feb 6: Treasure your Resistances!  With Kulanandi, visiting from Europe

Traveler, there is no path, the path is made by walking. (Antonio Machado)

The path is you in the process of organizing your mental states in such a way that growth and development take place in a positive direction. (Sangharakshita)

As we approach the end of the year, the winter retreat and the solstice, we will reflect on our practice together and celebrate our intentions as we continue our path. 

Dec 5 and 12: Danadasa will lead these 2 evenings.