Liberation Park meditation in December

December 20th -- Wesley UMC at King & 8th (see important details below)

Our final 2017 session of silent meditation and inquiring conversation is this Wednesday. 

Santikaro invites you to share all the things we can be grateful for   in the midst of the overall craziness.     Further, let's be hopeful for 2018. No matter how lousy the world may seem at times, we always have Dhamma to reconnect with and share.     We are never alone in this.

 

For New Meditators!  Let us know in advance and Santikaro can arrange to meet at 6:00 pm to give basic meditation instructions. Follow up instruction can also be arranged. Just reply to this email.

These teachings fall within the framework of the noble eightfold path and middle way. We regularly ask how the path can ground and guide us midst the challenges, storms, and provocations swirling around us and inside us. What are the realities of being mindful, kind, responsive, undistracted, and imperturbable midst the sorrows and the joys?

In the original presentation, the path is a harmonious weaving of 8 strands of Rightness, Intelligence, and Skill that culminates in True-Right Knowing and Liberation.
Location information -- Important!  The church doors are usually locked. The evening's hosts will arrive early to set up and meet you at the door. Please use the 721 King Street entrance, where one of us will be waiting to greet you. Knock if you don't see anyone. There will be plenty of parking on the street. The church also has parking space off of 8th St. 

Meditation starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before then. The "Lounge" where we will be meeting has many chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your own mat and cushion.

Dāna (donations, gifts, free-will offerings) to sustain Liberation Park and support our work are most welcome. Santikaro and Liberation Park depend on donations as sole means of support. A donation is also made to Wesley UMC for kindly hosting us.

A sampler of Santikaro's talks from La Crosse and elsewhere are posted at http://liberationpark.org/audio/index.htm

Next sessions:  January 3rd, 17th, and 31st.

Liberation Park - La Crosse meditation in November

La Crosse area Friends: Wednesday meditation & Dhamma inquiry

November sessions:  1st & 15th at Wesley UMC  

 

November 1st -- Wesley UMC at King & 8th (see important details below)

This month we will have two sessions of our usual silent meditation then conversation on aligning our lives with the Dhamma of Awakening and the practice of the Middle Way.

As November begins midst the first signs of Winter, Santikaro will share central perspectives from Under the Bodhi Tree, Ajahn Buddhadasa's recently published book on dependent co-arising.   Group friends have been reading the book since it came out in May and have asked for occasional conversations exploring its teachings and implications, along with how to respond to them in practice.   Ajahn Buddhadasa constantly emphasized the importance of being mindful in the moment of "contact," when a sense experience is objectified and has meaning. "Meaningful" runs the spectrum of negative and positive. From there, we either respond mindfully and wisely or react habitually, often destructively. This highlights the importance of cultivating mindfulness in all areas of life that are meaningful.   Participation doesn't depend on having read the book. Perhaps you will be inspired to do so after Wednesday's conversation.

 

For New Meditators!  Let us know in advance and we can arrange to meet at 6:00 pm to give basic meditation instructions. Follow up instruction can also be arranged. Just reply to this email.

These teachings fall within the framework of the noble eightfold path and middle way. We often ask how the path can ground and guide us midst the challenges, storms, and provocations swirling around us and inside us. What are the realities of being mindful, kind, responsive, undistracted, and imperturbable midst the sorrows and the joys?

In the original presentation, the path is a harmonious weaving of 8 strands of Rightness, Intelligence, and Skill that culminates in True-Right Knowing and Liberation.
Location information -- Important!  The church doors are usually locked. The evening's hosts will arrive early to set up and meet you at the door. Please use the 721 King Street entrance, where one of us will be waiting to greet you. Knock if you don't see anyone. There will be plenty of parking on the street. The church also has parking space off of 8th St. 

Meditation starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before then. The "Lounge" where we will be meeting has many chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your own mat and cushion.

Dāna (donations, gifts, free-will offerings) to sustain Liberation Park and support our work are most welcome. Santikaro and Liberation Park depend on donations as sole means of support. A donation is also made to Wesley UMC for kindly hosting us.

A sampler of Santikaro's talks from La Crosse and elsewhere are posted at http://liberationpark.org/audio/index.htm

Next sessions:  November 1st & 15th and December 6th.

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche group - November 5

Hello All,


Frank and I will be hosting the monthly meditation group at our house Sunday, November 5th from 10:30 - Noon.


We will continue reading Dzigar Kongtrul's book, It's Up To You chapters 5, 6 & 7. These are brief chapters and we will read then aloud as a group, so no worries if you don't read it in advance.


All Are Welcome!


Please let us know if you plan to attend and if you prefer a chair or a cushion.


Any questions - please email or call: 563-794-1244.

March 2018 Minduflness Practice

Please mark your calendar and share this information to those who would like to join me for this in March 2018. The program is suitable for beginners and people who would like to cultivate beginner’s mind. Register at 7riversmindfulness.com.

Liberation Park meditation for October

La Crosse area Friends: Wednesday meditation & Dhamma inquiry

October sessions:  4th & 18th at Wesley UMC  

October 4th -- Wesley UMC at King & 8th (see important details below) This month we will have two sessions of our usual silent meditation and conversation on aligning our lives with the Dhamma of Awakening and the practice of the Middle Way. In October we will focus on being mindful of change, transience, and the ephemeral nature of our lives. "This" does not last.   This basic fact permeates meditation practice and can be experienced in many ways, starting with breathing. We are seeing it now in the changes of weather and the season known as Autumn. We will reflect on some of the many ways to be more attentive to change around us and within us, changes we may like and changes we don't like. The more wisely we live with the reality of change, the less we suffer from not having things how we want them to be. Please join us and share your own insights concerning impermanence.     For New Meditators!  Let us know in advance and we can arrange to meet at 6:00 pm to give basic meditation instructions. Follow up instruction can also be arranged. Just reply to this email. These teachings fall within the framework of the noble eightfold path and middle way. We often ask how the path can ground and guide us midst the challenges, storms, and provocations swirling around us and inside us. What are the realities of being mindful, kind, responsive, undistracted, and imperturbable midst the sorrows and the joys? In the original presentation, the path is a harmonious weaving of 8 strands of Rightness, Intelligence, and Skill that culminates in True-Right Knowing and Liberation. Location information -- Important!  The church doors are usually locked. The evening's hosts will arrive early to set up and meet you at the door. Please use the 721 King Street entrance, where one of us will be waiting to greet you. Knock if you don't see anyone. There will be plenty of parking on the street. The church also has parking space off of 8th St.  Meditation starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before then. The "Lounge" where we will be meeting has many chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your own mat and cushion. Dāna (donations, gifts, free-will offerings) to sustain Liberation Park and support our work are most welcome. Santikaro and Liberation Park depend on donations as sole means of support. A donation is also made to Wesley UMC for kindly hosting us. A sampler of Santikaro's talks from La Crosse and elsewhere are posted at http://liberationpark.org/audio/index.htm Next sessions:  October 18th & November 1st

White Awake: Online workshop

“Roots Deeper than Whiteness” - Countering White Fragility with Deep Resilience

An Online Workshop Series, presented by White Awake

“One of the problems that most afflicts this country is that white people don’t know who they are or where they come from.”
- James Baldwin

"Roots Deeper than Whiteness" is an online workshop series for white-identified people seeking greater emotional strength to confront racism in society and in ourselves. This means processing the fear, shame, and confusion that can arise when we address racism, so that we can remain rooted in our highest values when grappling with these realities. It also means remembering who we really are, learning our ancestors’ histories before they were classified as "white", and reflecting on the forces that created “whiteness” in the first place.
In this interactive workshop series you will…

• Build supportive relationships, share your story, and open to your own vulnerability with partners and within small groups
  

• Gain tools to remain grounded in the midst of white fragility, and to subdue white, anti-racist tendencies towards self-hatred, shame, and guilt
  

• Root yourself in a heritage of European resistance to oppression that was quelled with the creation of white supremacy
  

• Receive guidance for next steps on your journey toward inner transformation, racial accountability, and effective action for social change
  

Meet the facilitators ...

David Dean David Dean is passionate about healing the psychological impact of systemic oppression on youth most vulnerable to its violence, and within people made dominant by it. In doing so, he believes we can find the strength and understanding we need to contribute to the creation of a just society. He has sought to do this as coordinator of a summer youth activism program called The Unity Hoops Project, as an advocate for restorative discipline in schools, as a facilitator supporting men to overcome hyper-masculine social expectations, and as a writer and curriculum designer for White Awake. David’s ancestors come from the British Isles but he was raised in Maryland on land taken from the Piscataway people. He was shaped most by his parents’ love and his upbringing in Quaker communities. He loves to write, sing, and facilitate others’ discovery of their own inherent goodness and power to create social change. Eleanor Hancock Eleanor Hancock is the director of White Awake: a project that brings mindfulness and contemplative spiritual practice to white affinity work focused on racism, white supremacy, and collective liberation. If you read the White Awake newsletter, you are already familiar with Eleanor's vision and "voice!" Eleanor’s belief is that knowledge and spiritual clarity offer white people the tools we need to act not only as allies of people of color and indigenous peoples, but to make this struggle our own. Eleanor’s leadership within White Awake grows out of years of experience as an activist, academic, artist, educator, and mother of a biracial child. She has trained directly with Joanna Macy in the Work that Reconnects, and integrates this Buddhist-based, deep ecology practice into her facilitation of integrative, race-based group work.

---

*No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Questions, more information, request scholarship: info@whiteawake.org

Rochester Meditation Center special program September 7

Hi Everybody, I'm delighted to announce that this Thursday evening, Ajahn Punnadhammo will offer a dharma talk at the RMC on "The Nature of Mind."  "The mind is the most immediate and intimate part of our experience," Ajahn writes. "In a sense the mind the totality of our experience, because all that we experience is in our mind. And yet the mind is mysterious to us. What is the mind?" In his talk, Ajahn will describe the Buddha's basic psychology of mind which is based neither on an embodied soul, nor on consciousness arising from matter. Instead, the Buddha offers a revolutionary third possibility which shares striking similarities to an understanding of consciousness and reality via modern quantum physics. But most important, the Buddha's understanding of mind opens a place for each person to truly know their mind, and on that basis to act in a way that creates happiness over time. I hope you can join us for this special evening. With love, ;-Doug P.S. The Rochester Meditation Center is at 303 6th Avenue SW. The meditation hall opens at 6:30 PM for optional sitting. Ajahn's talk begins at 7 PM. He'll offer a guided meditation until 7:30 PM, and the talk and Q&A until 8:30 PM.    Ajanh Punnadhammo and The Rochester Meditation Center are both solely supported by your generosity.                                               May All Beings Be Free

AJAHN PUNNADHAMMO, a Canadian-born monk ordained in Thailand, is a well-known meditation teacher and writer and the Abbot of the Arrow River Forest Hermitage in Thunder Bay, Ontario. A selection of his topical and sometimes wryly humorous writings on meditation, Buddhist thinking and current events can be found here and here. His criticism of modern secular Buddhism, especially as espoused by the Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor, can be found here. Ajahn Punnadhammo is a frequent guest speaker and retreat leader at the Common Ground Meditation Center in Minneapolis and at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass. Several dozen of his talks at the Insight Meditation Society are archived here.

Liberation Park La Crosse sessions in September

September 6th -- Wesley UMC at King & 8th (see important details below)

This month we will have two sessions of our usual silent meditation and conversation on aligning our lives with the Dhamma of Awakening and the practice of the Middle Way.

Buddha's advises his son Rahula to make his mind like earth, water, fire, wind, or space. Contemplation of these dhatus (properties, elements) as they operate within and around us is suggested as preparation for mindfulness with breathing. This teaching also fits with The Instruction to Malunkyaputta (SN 35.95), which illuminates the heart of mindfulness. Santikaro will share a practice of meditation with these fundamental material properties as a skillful means to settle and ground ourselves, as well as let go of egoistic clinging.

 

These teachings fall within the framework of the noble eightfold path and middle way. We often ask how the path can ground and guide us midst the challenges, storms, and provocations swirling around us and inside us. What are the realities of being mindful, kind, responsive, undistracted, and imperturbable midst the sorrows and the joys?

In the original presentation, the path is a harmonious weaving of 8 strands of Rightness, Intelligence, and Skill that culminates in True-Right Knowing and Liberation.

Location information -- Important!  The church doors will be locked. The evening's hosts will arrive early to set up and meet you at the door. Please use the 721 King Street entrance, where one of us will be waiting to greet you. Knock if you don't see anyone. There will be plenty of parking on the street. The church also has parking space off of 8th St. 

Meditation starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before then. The "Lounge" where we will be meeting has many chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your own mat and cushion.

Dāna (donations, gifts, free-will offerings) to sustain Liberation Park and support our work are most welcome. A donation is also made to the church for kindly hosting us.

A sampler of Santikaro's talks from La Crosse and elsewhere are posted at http://liberationpark.org/audio/index.htm

Next sessions:  September 20th.

Liberation Park August 30 meditation

a Crosse area Friends: Wednesday meditation & Dhamma inquiry August sessions:  30th at Wesley UMC   August 30th -- Wesley UMC at King & 8th (see important details below) August has 5 Wednesdays, so we decided to meet again the end of the month for our usual silent meditation and conversation on aligning our lives with the Dhamma of Awakening and the practice of the Middle Way. We agreed to continue with The Instruction to Malunkyaputta (SN 35.95), which gets to the heart of mindfulness, whether seeing, hearing, experiencing, or thinking. What is the secret of simply experiencing this moment such that "just this is the end of suffering"? Hint: Something like not piling on with cogitations and stories. We will further explore practical steps for bringing this simple, profound core teaching into daily life: in the seen, just see; in the heard, just hear; in the experienced, just experience, in knowing, just know. No need to be here or there or in between.     These teachings fall within the framework of the noble eightfold path and middle way. We often ask how the path can ground and guide us midst the challenges, storms, and provocations swirling around us and inside us. What are the realities of being mindful, kind, responsive, undistracted, and imperturbable midst the sorrows and the joys? In the original presentation, the path is a harmonious weaving of 8 strands of Rightness that culminates in Right Knowing and Liberation. Location information -- Important!  The church doors will be locked. The evening's hosts will arrive early to set up and meet you at the door. Please use the 721 King Street entrance, where one of us will be waiting to greet you. Knock if you don't see anyone. There will be plenty of parking on the street. The church also has parking space off of 8th St.  Meditation starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before then. The "Lounge" where we will be meeting has many chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your own mat and cushion. Dāna (donations, gifts, free-will offerings) to sustain Liberation Park and support our work are most welcome. A donation is also made to the church for kindly hosting us. A sampler of Santikaro's talks from La Crosse and elsewhere are posted at http://liberationpark.org/audio/index.htm Next sessions:  September 6th and 20th.

Liberation Park, PO Box 205, Norwalk, WI 54648

Two Madison events in October

Two Unique Opportunities
Events With Matthieu Ricard On October 24 
 

A Life In the Dharma:
Reflections On the Path of Awakening

In this daylong retreat, Matthieu will share the inspirations that have shaped his journey, including important insights and practical advice on the cultivation of compassion and the practice of meditation. With his characteristic warmth and wisdom, he will share his personal experiences on the path, as well as lead periods of meditation and discussion. Matthieu will soon be entering a period of semi-retirement, so this is a rare opportunity to spend time with this remarkable person.

Date/Time/Location:
October 24:  9:00am — 4:00pm
UW-Madison Gordon Commons Event Center
Madison, Wisconsin
 

REGISTER NOW 

Visit our website for more details and logistics.
 

---

 

Transforming the Mind:
Scientific and Buddhist Perspectives On the Science of Well-Being
— A Discussion With Dr. Richard Davidson

This discussion is a unique opportunity to learn from some of the world’s leading experts on meditation and the science of transforming the mind. The work of these individuals has shaped the way we view the mind, brain, and our capacity to cultivate awareness, compassion, and wisdom. The evening will include a dialogue between Mr. Ricard and Dr. Davidson, and an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Date/Time/Location:
October 24:  7:00pm — 9:00pm
UW Madison Gordon Commons Event Center
Madison, Wisconsin
 

REGISTER NOW 

Visit our website for more details and logistics.

Sounds True $1 Sale

Sounds True is having a Pearls and Practices Sale -Some of their most popular core teachings from different traditions for $1

http://www.soundstrue.com/store/2017-pearls-and-practices-sale.html

Liberation Park August meetings

La Crosse area Friends: Wednesday meditation & Dhamma inquiry

August sessions:  2nd and 16th at Wesley UMC  

 

August 2nd -- Wesley UMC at King & 8th (see important details below)

We will convene this Wednesday for a silent meditation and conversation on aligning our lives with the Dhamma of Awakening and the practice of the Middle Way. 

A question for your reflection: How do the various facets of right intention guide our practice of mindfulness in daily life?

Our framework for this year is the noble eightfold path and middle way. We often ask how the path can ground and guide us midst the challenges, storms, and provocations swirling around us and inside us. What are the realities of being mindful, kind, responsive, and imperturbable midst the sorrows and the joys?

In the original presentation, the path is a harmonious weaving of 8 strands of Rightness that culminates in Right Knowing and Liberation.

Location information -- Important!  The church doors will be locked. The evening's hosts will arrive early to set up and meet you at the door. Please use the 721 King Street entrance, where one of us will be waiting to greet you. Knock if you don't see anyone. There will be plenty of parking on the street. The church also has parking space off of 8th St. 

Meditation starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before then. The "Lounge" where we will be meeting has many chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your own mat and cushion.

Dāna (donations, gifts, free-will offerings) to sustain Liberation Park and support our work are most welcome. A donation is also made to the church for kindly hosting us.

A sampler of Santikaro's talks from La Crosse and elsewhere are posted at http://liberationpark.org/audio/index.htm

Next sessions:  August 16th (and maybe 30th).

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche talk - August 6

We will meet for the monthly meditation next Sunday, August 6th from 10:30 - 12:00 at Sharon & Frank's house, 1832 22nd Street South, La Crosse. At our last regular meeting in June, participants expressed interest in listening to a conversation between Pema Chodron and Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche about Karma. We have the audio mp3 of this talk which is about 50 minutes long and we will share it with the group after our meditation period. There is some more information about this teaching below, in the first link.

We will not meet on the first weekend of the month in September as it is Labor Day weekend.

Please let me know if you plan to attend on August 6th and if you prefer a cushion or a chair.
Sharon   563-794-1244

Karma - Sounds True www.soundstrue.com Two masters, one from the West and one from the East, present an empowering co-teaching on the often-confusing subject of karma.

Wisconsin Retreat in October

Dear Friends, Madison Insight Meditation Group and Madison Vipassana are happy to let you know that registration for our October 5-8 retreat with Janice Cittasubha Sheppard is now open at madisonmeditation.org/ 

The October 5-8 retreat is residential. It will be at Pine Lake Camp, a beautiful wooded location on Pine Lake in Westfield, Wisconsin. The theme for the retreat is "Ending the Ping-Pong Game: The Peace of Balance in Body, Mind, & Heart." On the website you can read a blog by Jan on the topic for the retreat. 

Additional details about the retreat, Jan's article, and the registration information and form are all available on the website and also in the our July 2017 newsletter which you can open and read here: http://madisonmeditation.org/newsletters 
 
With metta and best wishes for your summer and transition into fall. 

The Board of Madison Vipassana, Inc.