What we’re about
Welcome Meditators of All Traditions & Experience Levels!
The purpose of this group, as the Buddha said, is to seek out "wise and beneficial friends" who support us and our Meditation practice. We are a group of beginning and advanced meditators, extending an open invitation to anyone seeking to develop a meditation practice that is an integral part of a caring/care-full relationship to oneself and the world.
All teachers agree: The key to a successful meditation practice is regular practice. The development of Wisdom through regular meditation practice can lead to a decrease of "suffering" as well as an increase in Inner Peace and Compassion for oneself and others. This group is open to people who realize the benefits of meditating together and want to make a dedicated effort to sustain a once-weekly sitting meditation (with instruction, as needed). Most weeks, a reading with brief discussion and mingling follows.
This group is open to all schools of thought, meditation formats and experience levels. People of any religious tradition—Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic or without label for their spirituality—are welcome. People of all ethnicities, gender, sexual orientation and country of origin are welcome! We strive to lead lives guided by ethical commitments as set forth by the eightfold path articulated in Buddhist tradition while recognizing our unity with those from all the great spiritual traditions of the World.
We are a peer-lead group with facilitation of the evenings rotating between six group members. We are fellow practitioners and accept no remuneration for our time. Our benefit is the opportunity to practice with others on the path!
Please join us! You are most welcome.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- CHICAGO MEDITATES - 11/4 - Holy Trinity/ZoomHoly Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL
Everyone is welcome to join our weekly meditation on Monday evening at 7:00pm. All levels of experience are welcome. If you are new to meditation, make that known to the facilitator so we can provide some guidance for you. We have up to 30 minute silent sitting sessions, so some level of acclimation to stillness is helpful. Though we are secular, you'll find Buddhism, Vipassana, and mindfulness are common themes here. THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE AT HOLY TRINITY, 1218 ADDISON, CHICAGO, 2ND FLOOR, ST. MARK'S ROOM.
The evening will include silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, a reading and reflection with time to share with one another. Some times there is very accessible Qigong as a way to tune into the body.
Parking passes are available for the lot behind Missio Dei, 1242 Addison (the lot is accessed from the alley behind Missio Dei). 383 neighborhood parking passes are available for $1.A NOTE ABOUT COVID SAFETY: This invitation is extended to all who have been fully vaccinated. MASKING IS OPTIONAL. For more information on Covid safety practices for this group, please read here. If Covid levels change to the "high" level, masking is required. Check the website for the evening's masking policy.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH, A HANDFUL OF US ARE MEETING AT 6PM FOR DINNER BEFORE MEDITATION! BRING A SANDWICH, SALAD OR WHATEVER YOU WISH AND JOIN US!
There is a $1 voluntary donation for the evening to help defray the cost of our rent at Holy Trinity.
Those who would like to join us by Zoom can join using the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85009082765?pwd=OHh2YnRxTCtDNXZ1N3VEay9LSUFGQT09Meeting ID: 850 0908 2765
Passcode: 619192If you have trouble getting into Zoom, leave a message on meetup.
- 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.
- CHICAGO MEDITATES - 11/11 - Holy Trinity/ZoomHoly Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL
Everyone is welcome to join our weekly meditation on Monday evening at 7:00pm. All levels of experience are welcome. If you are new to meditation, make that known to the facilitator so we can provide some guidance for you. We have up to 30 minute silent sitting sessions, so some level of acclimation to stillness is helpful. Though we are secular, you'll find Buddhism, Vipassana, and mindfulness are common themes here. THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE AT HOLY TRINITY, 1218 ADDISON, CHICAGO, 2ND FLOOR, ST. MARK'S ROOM.
The evening will include silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, a reading and reflection with time to share with one another. Some times there is very accessible Qigong as a way to tune into the body.
Parking passes are available for the lot behind Missio Dei, 1242 Addison (the lot is accessed from the alley behind Missio Dei). 383 neighborhood parking passes are available for $1.A NOTE ABOUT COVID SAFETY: This invitation is extended to all who have been fully vaccinated. MASKING IS OPTIONAL. For more information on Covid safety practices for this group, please read here. If Covid levels change to the "high" level, masking is required. Check the website for the evening's masking policy.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH, A HANDFUL OF US ARE MEETING AT 6PM FOR DINNER BEFORE MEDITATION! BRING A SANDWICH, SALAD OR WHATEVER YOU WISH AND JOIN US!
There is a $1 voluntary donation for the evening to help defray the cost of our rent at Holy Trinity.
Those who would like to join us by Zoom can join using the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85009082765?pwd=OHh2YnRxTCtDNXZ1N3VEay9LSUFGQT09Meeting ID: 850 0908 2765
Passcode: 619192If you have trouble getting into Zoom, leave a message on meetup.
- CHICAGO MEDITATES - 11/18 - Holy Trinity/ZoomHoly Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL
Everyone is welcome to join our weekly meditation on Monday evening at 7:00pm. All levels of experience are welcome. If you are new to meditation, make that known to the facilitator so we can provide some guidance for you. We have up to 30 minute silent sitting sessions, so some level of acclimation to stillness is helpful. Though we are secular, you'll find Buddhism, Vipassana, and mindfulness are common themes here. THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE AT HOLY TRINITY, 1218 ADDISON, CHICAGO, 2ND FLOOR, ST. MARK'S ROOM.
The evening will include silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, a reading and reflection with time to share with one another. Some times there is very accessible Qigong as a way to tune into the body.
Parking passes are available for the lot behind Missio Dei, 1242 Addison (the lot is accessed from the alley behind Missio Dei). 383 neighborhood parking passes are available for $1.A NOTE ABOUT COVID SAFETY: This invitation is extended to all who have been fully vaccinated. MASKING IS OPTIONAL. For more information on Covid safety practices for this group, please read here. If Covid levels change to the "high" level, masking is required. Check the website for the evening's masking policy.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH, A HANDFUL OF US ARE MEETING AT 6PM FOR DINNER BEFORE MEDITATION! BRING A SANDWICH, SALAD OR WHATEVER YOU WISH AND JOIN US!
There is a $1 voluntary donation for the evening to help defray the cost of our rent at Holy Trinity.
Those who would like to join us by Zoom can join using the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85009082765?pwd=OHh2YnRxTCtDNXZ1N3VEay9LSUFGQT09Meeting ID: 850 0908 2765
Passcode: 619192If you have trouble getting into Zoom, leave a message on meetup.