Tuesday in October

The Buddhism: Meditation and Skillful Living group will meet on Tuesday, October 13th, from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm at the Franciscan Spirituality Center, 910 Market Street, La Crosse. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, as the center locks its exterior doors promptly at 6:00 pm.

Our session will begin with 30 minutes of silent meditation, followed by a  discussion of precepts.

One of our meditation group members, Mykel Thoren, generously offered to pick a topic and be the discussion leader for this Tuesday's meeting. Please note that within Buddhism different traditions vary in the number of precepts. Mykel lists ten and the article only discusses five.

Below are Mykel's comments and a link to a Lions Roar article.

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Hi Everyone,

I found an article from Lion's Roar that stood out to me with an interesting perspective on how to approach the Precepts in our practice. If you have a few minutes, please follow the link provided and read it yourself. I also provided below, a list of the general Buddhist Grave Precepts along with some prompt questions that emerged while I was doing my reading and research for this month's discussion topic. I hope they help spark some contemplation in you about the Precepts before our next group.  I look forward to discussing with each other our various experiences with the Precepts relating to our practice as well as relating to life as it appears to us in each moment.

Ten Grave Precepts

1. Not Killing
2. Not Stealing
3. Not Misusing Sex
4. Not Lying
5. Not Giving or Taking Drugs
6. Not Discussing Faults of Others
7. Not Praising Yourself While Abusing Others
8. Not Sparing the Dharma Assets
9. Not Indulging in Anger
10. Not Defaming the Three Treasures

Prompt Ideas for Discussion

• What have these meant at different points in your practice/life?
• Where is the wiggle room on these precepts, and who/what is it that determines what variation is acceptable?
• Are any of these surprisingly easy/difficult for you to maintain?  When and why is that?
• Do you agree with the analogy of the precepts being like training wheels?
• What are some different perspectives on each of the precepts in your/other traditions?
• What are the situations in our daily life interacting with others where we are faced with opportunities to maintain or not maintain the precepts?  

New material for two groups

August 2026 - lunar eclipse

The Buddhism: Meditation and Skillful Living group will meet on Tuesday, September 8th, from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm at the Franciscan Spirituality Center. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, as the center locks its exterior doors promptly at 6:00 pm. Our session will begin with 30 minutes of silent meditation, followed by a short video interview with Jack Kornfield and an open discussion. Visit this link for more information: https://fsc.retreatportal.com/events/f?p=101:2:10301455744248::::PROGRAM_ID:10811

Jack Kornfield bio: https://jackkornfield.com/bio

Video:https://youtu.be/VusZp-sNtjw?si=9F79VhphGlkp7AYE

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The second and fourth Sunday meditation group led by Vanee Songsiridej will start a new book on September 13 - Ajahn Sumedho Volume 2 – Seeds of Understanding. This can be read online and/or  downloaded free of charge here. Donations can be sent in to the site or Abhayagiri Buddhist monastery. Please read the first chapter and bring what piques your interest and questions for discussion. For more information, email vsongsir@aol.com

Free from Dharma Lab

Dharma Lab presents

A Free Practice Hour

Wednesday, August 19 at 7 p.m. Online

Which meditation practices build which capacities — and how to find yours.

One guided hour with Dr. Richard Davidson & Dr. Cortland Dahl, the scientists who mapped the flourishing mind

Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 PM CT·Zoom

Save your seat — it’s free

Completely free · Everyone welcome

Thursdays - Born to Flourish

The meditation group that meets online every second and fourth Thursday is starting a new book on August 27.

We will be starting a new book on Thursday, August 27. It will be “Born to Flourish” by Drs. Richard Davidson and Cortland Dahl. This can be purchased at any bookstore. There is also a recording done by the authors.

The meeting will be held on Zoom on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 PM.

We will meditate for 30 minutes and have a check-in.

This will be followed by discussion of chapter 1. For the study and practice with this book, I would like to ask that everybody read the chapter, bring what perks your interest and would like to discuss it further in the meeting.

This is suitable for anyone who is interested in discussing this topic. The authors are experienced meditators and teachers and neuroscientists.

Please let me know if you are interested and would like to join us on zoom by sending a reply to this email.

Looking forward to studying and practicing with everyone.

Peace,

Vanee

Learn more, including how to join, at https://mindfulnesslacrossewisconsin.offeringtree.com/

Second Tuesday in August

The Buddhism: Meditation and Skillful Living group will meet on Tuesday, August 11th, from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm at the Franciscan Spirituality Center.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to settle in, as the center locks the exterior doors promptly at 6:00 pm.

The session will begin with 30 minutes of silent meditation, followed by a short YouTube video by Thich Nhat Hanh (link attached) and an open discussion.   https://youtu.be/R5eBgab1vMQ?si=e65P-NQpIzLnsuX-

Second Tuesdays in July

Here is more information about the July 14 meeting of the Second Tuesdays meditation group which meets from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Franciscan Spirituality Center. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early please.

The discussion this month will focus on an article from Lion's Roar, May 2026 titled: The Antidote to Greed, Hatred and Ignorance. We will focus on the third section - ignorance. Here is the link to the article: https://www.lionsroar.com/the-antidote-to-greed-hatred-ignorance/. Please read it ahead of the meeting, if you have a chance.

Second Tuesdays at FSC

Here is more information about the new Meditation Group at Franciscan Spirituality Center on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.

Each meeting we will meditate for 30 minutes and then have a discussion on a topic. You are each encouraged to suggest a topic or reading for future meetings.

We will be meeting this Tuesday, May 12th, please come 10-15 minutes early to settle in. 

The discussion this month will focus on an article from Lion's Roar, May 2026 titled: The Antidote to Greed, Hatred and Ignorance. We will focus on the first section on greed. Here is the link to the article: https://www.lionsroar.com/the-antidote-to-greed-hatred-ignorance/. Please read it ahead of the meeting, if you have a chance.

We look forward to seeing you and let us know if you have any questions.

Sharon Lukert

sharonlukert.com