Mindful Resources
Mindful Resources
Often, after finishing a course in Mindfulness, a person will want to continue their Mindful journey with a sense of community or "sangha". It's useful to explore different offerings and see which suit you best. This list, as with all of the lists on this website, will be updated over time. These are Mindful Resources that have been helpful to me and others.
The Mindful Resources listed here are:
Online Meditation Groups in the US and
Mindful-Oriented Organizations
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Online Meditation Groups
Chicago Shambhala Tuesday Night Meditations
I co-lead this group, alternating different Tuesday evenings with Barbara, who is a senior Shambhala Teacher. Barbara and I offer guided meditations. I usually base my guidance on meditations by Tara Brach and Jon Kabat-Zinn. It's different every week. Shambhala is a worldwide Tibetan Buddhism founded by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche (1939 - 1987). Our Tuesday night online group is offers a variety of guidance from different meditation traditions. Register to receive the Zoom link at: the Chicago Shambhala Website
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Insight Meditation Center
Based in Massachusetts, this organization was founded by Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Check out their website dharma.org to see what upcoming online classes or meditation sessions they offer. There are other offshoot centers throughout the US that offer meditation books, book groups, etc.
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Ft. Myers Meditation Kadampa Buddhist Center
I have visited the Ft. Myers Kadampa Buddhist Center in person for years,when on vacation. I've been impressed by the friendly vibe of this small mediation community. They've had different meditation leaders over the years, so you'll want to see how you feel about whoever the current meditation leader of the group is. I don't know much about this particular "branch" of Tibetan Buddhism, I find them welcoming, calming, and that their offerings are easy to understand. Their meditation hall has a variety of gold statues and their meetings or "services" have some charming rituals, such as singing along to a recorded poem or hymn-like piece of music. Be open-minded to enjoy their offerings. As for me, I have been grateful they are there. They seem to be offering more online meditation classes or sessions these days. Their home page is: Ft. Myers Kadampa Center
EverydayZen
The Everyday Zen Foundation hosts daily online silent sitting meditation. At their Home Page, scroll down until you see Everyday Zen Daily Sitting, 7:30am - 8:00am Pacific Time. It's a nice way to start the morning with online silent meditation in community. They begin with a very brief chanting, then sit together for the half hour. Their home page is here: Everyday Zen
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The San Francisco Zen Center
Founded by Suzuki Roshi, author of the book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, they offer a variety of programs from dharma talks to classes. They host online sitting meditation (zazen) at early morning hours (California time) and evening, on Zoom,at this website page: Online Zendo.
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New York Zen Center
They offer a variety of talks and meditations online. Their website is: NY Zen Center
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Sunday Sangha
Jon Kabat-Zinn's son Will Kabat-Zinn hosts an online meditation group whose link appears on the website for Sunday Sangha.
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UC San Diego -- Continuing Practice
I received my MBSR teacher training through the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness, which has excellent teachers and teacher training. They offer mid-day (California time, remember) online meditation sessions. I have attended a few over the years. I would not say that these sessions develop a sense of sangha, but are more for someone who simply wants to meditate online with other people with guidance from an experienced MBSR meditation teacher. UC San Diego Mindfulness Center Continuing Practice
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More online meditation group listings to come. Please check back.
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Mindful-Oriented Organizations
The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, New York, is a well-established and very respected organization hosting high-quality workshops, meditation retreats and other programs. Look at their upcoming events and you might even find a workshop with Jon Kabat-Zinn, so check out their listing of upcoming programs here.. They host "Rest and Rejuvenation" retreats for individuals to stay there that might be just what the doctor ordered! I hope to do an individual retreat there on my own someday....
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Mindful Resources listing:
Gratitude
Even when things aren't going our way, can we be grateful for something? Perhaps for just being able to breathe. Or for the ways people have helped you in life. Or for the beauty in the sky, or an animal or person. Open up to feeling gratitude. See what arises. What does it feel like to experience gratitude? Notice what gratitude feels like.
Basic Meditation
Take a seat, with an upright posture, if your body can do so. Close the eyes, or leave them open in a soft, downward gaze. Allow your attention to rest on the physical sensations of breathing. With a light touch, if you drift away, notice this and, being kind to yourself, return your attention to the body breathing. Notice how it feels. No need to alter or control the breath. Your body knows how to breath. Rest with the body breathing. Allow thoughts to be on the margins of your attention. No need to think and no need to accomplish anything. Resting with the body breathing.
