The importance of community: Summer Meditation Drop-In
All summer long, from May to August, I am offering a Drop-In Meditation Night at my friend Selena Strong’s Fitness Studio in Woodstock. It is from 6:30-7:30pm every Tuesday.
The cost is $10, or give what you can give. I don’t want anyone to be left out due to financial reasons. You can always give more as well, if you feel so inclined.
Though I do lean on many Buddhist teachings in my practice and guiding, meditation is available for ALL! All faiths are welcome.
A few key reasons I started Drop-In Meditation Night…
Sangha: In Buddhism, there is what is known as the ‘Three Jewels’ — The Buddha, the Dharma (Teachings), and Sangha (Community). The magazine Lion’s Roar gives us a great outline:
1. Buddha: The Teacher
This refers, first, to the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. He is considered the original teacher, guide, and example for all Buddhists to follow. The Buddha offered humanity a path to liberation from suffering. He was not a god but a human being like us, and his life shows us that we, too, can follow the path to enlightenment. More broadly, buddha refers to all teachers and enlightened beings who inspire and guide us.
2. Dharma: The Teachings
The Buddhist teachings, known as the dharma, start with the fundamental truths that the Buddha himself discovered when he was seeking liberation from suffering. The dharma includes the Buddha’s foundational teachings such as the four noble truths, the three marks of existence, the eightfold path, and the practice of mindfulness, as well as the vast body of Buddhist teachings that have been developed in the 2,600 years since the Buddha’s lifetime.
3. Sangha: The Community
The term sangha originally referred to a community of monastics, and this remains true in the Theravada and Nichiren Shoshu schools of Buddhism. In the West today, sangha has also come to mean the community of Buddhist practitioners generally, both monastic and lay. You will also hear Buddhists talk about “my sangha,” meaning the specific Buddhist community or organization to which they belong. The sangha supports and inspires us on the path.
Sharing your experiences of life with your fellow practicioners is extremely nourishing, supportive, and calming. When someone shares with you their experience getting frustrated at work, or feeling joyous while out for a walk, or how they were mindful when a painful emotion arose, you realize that we are never alone. We are walking this path through life together. Practicing mindfulness and meditation together, weekly, holds us accountable, but is also life-giving!
Accountability: Having that one day a week where you know you will be practicing meditation can be very beneficial for those who are just beginning, and even for intermediate/advanced practicioners.
Learn new things! Every week I have a new topic — it could be Mindfulness of Thoughts, Metta: Self-Love and Compassion, Kindness, Joy, The Four Noble Truths, Pain, Working with Powerful emotions, etc. I have quite a few planned for the summer already!
Each week looks somewhat like this — Welcome & Chat-General Discussion (Share your experiences, new practices, new things learned, etc.). Then, an introduction to the topic of our meditation, a guided meditation by me for you!
You don’t have to sign up for anything. Come when you can. Come when you need.
Never hesitate to reach out to me at lotuspollenheart@gmail.com or 226-203-2648 if you have any questions.
May you rest in the stillness of being. May you open your heart, free from grasping. May you love and be loved. May you be at peace.
In Blessing,
Justine
