This program is being offered to three different cohorts during the same dates at different times. The groups will meet on Sundays between May 15 and June 27 (May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19, 16). The scheduling options for Around the Fire Community Gatherings (weekly group meetings) are:

Sundays 10:30 – 11:30 am ET (cohort I)

Sundays 12:30 – 1:30 pm ET (cohort II) Option to request an ASL interpreter

Sundays 8:15 – 9:15 pm ET (cohort III)

ASL translations of pre-recorded meditations and talks are available to all cohorts.

Please check carefully below under "Online Schedule" to confirm which cohort you are registering for.

Many people have attempted to develop and maintain a daily formal meditation practice, often in isolation and without support for understanding the why, how, and what of practice. This program provides detailed guidance on walking and sitting meditation. You will be introduced to unification of mind (Samadhi) practice and the steps of stabilizing the attention within a broad awareness, setting intentions, and other key components for establishing a vital daily formal meditation and also moment-to-moment life practice. Although meditation is often viewed as a going inward, our physiology is often best supported by a practice that is fundamentally connected to this moment, which includes our environment. This connection allows us to know that we are safe enough and our fight/flight/freeze systems can begin to let go and relate to right now instead of reacting to history. We will be building the skills of being fully present to this moment through connecting to the environment as we cultivate traditional Buddhist mindfulness and gladdening the mind practices. Meditation practice doesn't have to be a dry experience. Your practice can come alive through community (sangha) and experiencing the ways formal practice folds into and enriches daily life.

This program will include weekly:

• Guided Meditations

• Topic Talks

• Around the Fire Community Gatherings (weekly group meetings)

• Question and Response opportunities

• Additional Resources

Each component supports building and strengthening the foundations of meditation practice. The resources and talks connect each weekly topic to the path of the dharma and provide opportunities to learn by hearing from a variety of voices. This program is the first of a three program series and will be followed by “Delight: The Heart of Practice” (exploring the brahmavihāras), and “Deepen: The Path of Practice” (on understanding and navigating the hindrances to practice from where you are).

If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution towards having this program translated into American Sign Language click here.