What we’re about
Once the Buddha began to share his teachings with the rest of the World, he never instructed anyone to accept those teachings blindly. Instead he encouraged students to test his findings for themselves in order to develop their own experience of the practice. Our community attempts to operate with that same spirit of openness and respect.
You are cordially invited to join us as we sit, stand and walk in meditation, practicing simply for the sake of practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome so, regardless of whether you're embarking on or continuing your journey inward, we would be most honored by your presence. This is a non-denominational group. However, even though many of us do not have a label for our spirituality, we do primarily practice methods which have been handed down by the Buddha. Nevertheless, no matter what path you follow, it is our intention to provide you with a safe and non-judgmental environment for internal exploration, one where all attendees feel comfortable and at ease.
It is the further intention of this group to help its members identify areas where suffering (feelings of stress and dissatisfaction) may exist and to help them learn how to change their relationship with those feelings in order to cultivate deep inner peace. We envision this group being an interactive community where authentic personal connections are made as we share and learn together from the combined insights of all who attend. The eventual development of our collective wisdom should also help us to better assist one another on our respective paths. Ideally we must remember that, despite our wishes to the contrary, growth happens at its own natural pace. Thus it will be quite important to be patient, be gentle with ourselves and be supportive of our fellow practitioners in order to nurture these intentions in a beneficial way.
Event details vary from sitting to sitting and will be posted on each individual event page. Generally, we will practice these forms of meditation: Samatha (Tranquility / Calming the mind and body through one pointedness), Anapanasati (Mindfulness of the breath), Vipassana (Clear seeing / Insight), Metta (Loving-Friendliness / Kindness) and Tonglen (Exchanging self with others / Compassion).
A voluntary donation to help offset expenses would be most appreciated but is by no means expected. As causes and conditions permit, we look forward to sharing energy and insights with all who choose to be present.
With Metta, Mark Z
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- The Embodied Heart - A Four Day Residential Thaypassana RetreatSiena Retreat Center, Racine, WI
AN RSVP ON THIS MEETUP SITE IS NOT A REGISTRATION. Registration is online using the form here. For more details about the teachers, registration prices and registration deadlines and reservations, a flyer is available here.
Join us for a four day residential Thaypassana retreat with Janice Cittasubha Sheppard and David Haskin at the beautiful Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI, November 7-10, 2024.
The present moment is the only moment in which we can experience life as it happens but, in our busy lives, our minds are often disconnected from this truth, and we become lost in rumination about the past and the future. By reconnecting with our body and breathing, we experience the present moment directly and can open to the ease, freedom, and release of a receptive and open heart. As a wonderful teacher, Ajahn Sucitto, says, we can, “let the heart and body start to dialogue.”
Please join us for a “Thaypassana” meditation retreat, which will draw upon the wisdom teachings of both Thich Nhat Hahn and the Insight practices of Theravada Buddhism. These few days of silence will create a supportive environment in which, by practicing sitting, walking and standing meditation, mindful movement and mindful eating, we can turn inward and directly learn about our own body, heart and mind moment by moment. We also will have Dharma reflections, small group interviews, large group question and response sessions, and some one-on-one sessions.
In keeping with best health practices as put forward by the CDC, participants are asked to be current on their Covid, RSV and flu vaccinations. Masking for health reasons will be at your own discretion.
What to expect: Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. If you use
a meditation cushion or bench, please bring it. Chairs will also be available
for meditation. Please note — throughout this retreat participants will be in
Noble Silence except during Q&A or interview groups.Fees cover all meals Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch, lodging, private baths, towels and the meeting rooms. (Thursday dinner is on your own.) Coffee/tea are available throughout the weekend. All meals will be vegan. If you have dietary restrictions, please make those known on your registration. If you feel a commercial caterer may not fully understand your dietary restrictions, consider bringing items to supplement your special diet. Refrigerators and microwaves are available.
The retreat will begin on Thursday at 7 pm. Please arrive and check-in between 4-6 pm, Thursday, November 7, so you can settle into your room and be in the hall and ready when the retreat opens at 7 pm. Check-out follows the close of the retreat at 3PM on Sunday.
Location: Siena Retreat Center, 5637 Erie Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53402.
Parking is free and plentiful. Once you park your car, you can leave it for the weekend.Registration: Registration is online using the form here. For more details about the teachers, registration prices and registration deadlines and reservations, a flyer is available here.
Complete the online registration form at https://bit.ly/460FCFG. Then complete your registration by transmitting your payment to our registrar, Kevin Kuhn. Payments can be sent via Zelle to kevinkuhn56@yahoo.com. If you do not have access to Zelle, you may use the paper registration form along with a check payable to Kevin Kuhn and mailed to:
Kevin Kuhn, 1632 W. Columbia Avenue, #2S, Chicago, IL 60626Single room occupancy, $450, Double room occupancy, $400, Commuter, $190.
Once your registration paperwork has been received and processed you will be added to the list of attendees. You will be notified well in advance of the retreat of "things you need to know" before the retreat.
For more information, feel free to contact Steve Starr at 847-644-2389 or stephenbstarr@gmail.com.