Community Meditation is non-profit network of meditation groups. We bring mindfulness and wellness into people’s lives through courses, meditation sittings and group discussions, both in-person and online. By sharing the benefits of meditation and mindfulness, we support the evolution of a wise, caring, and healthy world.
Our network has existed for over a decade and although our roots are Buddhist, we draw on many wisdom traditions as well as contemporary wellness, psychology, and neuroscience. Community Meditation is completely volunteer-based and guided by a council of experienced teachers.
Community Meditation is a Canada Revenue Agency Registered Charity No. 73107 5719 RR0001.
Being Present in the Body (In-Person, Mississauga)
Saturday Sept 28th, 9:30am to 4:30 pm
To be fully present is to actually inhabit the body in a felt way. Most of us have wounds and defenses that are stored in the body and keep us mostly in our heads and our thoughts. What are some practices and approaches that can bring us more fully into our bodies, and help us return when we slip away?
Join us for a day-long retreat where we connect with our bodies, and explore the obstacles that keep us from "being in our bodies" all the time. Program will consist of meditation instruction, meditation, talks, exercises and discussion. Led by Debbie McCubbin.
– WHEN: Saturday Sept 28th, 9:30am to 4:30 pm, with lunch provided
– WHERE: Applewood United Church (Parlour Room), Mississauga, Ontario
– PROGRAM FEE: $90 (discounted fees available on registration)
All online sessions include a 20-minute silent meditation. New to meditation? Instruction is available.
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Click here to join on Zoom @ 7 PM ET
How can we deal with problems that come up in meditation practice, including discouragement, and resistance? Join Brenda, Gordon, Jim, and Sharon to explore this question by reading and discussing Bhante Gunaratana's book, Mindfulness in Plain English. We’ll begin the session with 20 minutes of silent meditation.
Meditation is mindfulness. It is a new way of seeing and it is a form of play.
–Bhante Gunaratana
Click here to join on Zoom @ 7 PM ET
Join Gloria and Ryan this week to continue reading and discussing Chapter 9 of the Jack Kornfield’s book, The Wise Heart. We’ll begin with the example of Aleesha in the section titled "Working With Emotions". The session will begin with 20 minutes of silent meditation.
When we let go of our battles and open our hearts to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present moment.
– Jack Kornfield
Click here to join on Zoom @ 7 PM ET
We can find ourselves caught between two inner voices: one wanting to shift our patterns and expand, and the other resisting any such change. Join Adam, Sandi, and Lauren on Wednesday to continue exploring this situation in "How We Injure Ourselves", a chapter from Mark Nepo's book, Seven Thousand Ways to Listen. Everyone is welcome, and you don't have to be familiar with the book.
…openly allowing the two voices to dialogue within us, not trying to eliminate either, but withstanding the tensions of their energies till we can learn to live more fully beyond the habits we've assumed.
― Mark Nepo
Click here to visit our Meetup
IN-PERSON – OWEN SOUND
Trying to get rid of longstanding patterns like a deep sense of inferiority or a lack of respect often makes matters worse. What’s the alternative? Join Ken in Owen Sound this week to read and discuss Tsoknyi Rinpoche‘a approach to this common challenge. The session begins with 35 minutes of walking and sitting meditation.
I feel the blockage...and I say hi to it. I stay with it and keep smiling.
― Tsoknyi Rinpoche
Click here to join on Zoom @ 7 PM ET
Join Debbie this week for meditation and a look at how we can bring our mindfulness practice to contemplating climate change.
The Buddhist concept of 'dukkha' (suffering or dissatisfaction) can be applied to the experience of climate change, highlighting the need to recognize and address the root causes of our distress.
― Bhikkhu Anālayo
Click here to join on Zoom @ 10:15 AM ET
How does meditation make an impact on us?? Join Sunday's session with Debbie to meditate, and then read and discuss Ethan Nichtern's book, The Road Home. There's no need to be familiar with the book.
When we meditate, we are becoming familiar with our mind's subjective experience in a direct and intimate way.
― Ethan Nichtern
What are we as humans? adrienne maree brown poses this question and answers it beautifully. Here's an excerpt:
One thing I have observed: When we are engaged in acts of love, we humans are at our best and most resilient. The love in romance that makes us want to be better people, the love of children that makes us change our whole lives to meet their needs, the love of family that makes us drop everything to take care of them, the love of community that makes us work tirelessly with broken hearts.
Read brown's passionate essay on Awakin.org.
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Ken & the Community Meditation Team
Photo by Ryan Wilson on Unsplash
We started this meditation network to help you bring more clarity, balance, caring and joy to your life and your community.
The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer.
― Thomas Merton
