Feeling the weight of the world? Yearning to feel more connected to yourself and your community? Come practice with Karuna Community Meditation!

We appear to be at a time of national and global turmoil, where the suffering caused by greed, hatred, and delusion manifests itself in more forms than we can count – violence, war, addiction, rage-filled hearts, social division, mental anguish, loneliness, a lost sense of meaning, discrimination, rampant consumerism, and environmental destruction, just to name a few.

Spiritual practice can be a powerful antidote to the difficulties and maladies of contemporary life. According to psychologist Lisa Miller in her book The Awakened Brain, people who report that spirituality is "very important" to them are "35 to 75 percent less likely to experience clinical depression… [and] 40 to 80 percent less likely to develop substance dependence or abuse," (61-62). Brain scans further show that highly spiritual brains are "thicker and stronger in exactly the same regions that weaken and wither in depressed brains," (Miller 7). When we're able to spiritually connect with something larger than ourselves, we often feel more at home in the world, and access "unsurpassed psychological benefits: less depression, anxiety, and substance abuse; and more positive psychological traits such as grit, resilience, optimism, tenacity, and creativity," (9).

At Karuna Community Meditation, we emphasize neither belief nor dogma, but the search for the the sacred. Holding each other in spiritual community, we try to live our core values of compassion, generosity, nonharm, and spiritual inclusivity.

In 2024, we'll take a deep dive into the essential teachings of the Buddha, to see how we can apply them to our everyday lives. We'll begin with a look at why we practice at all, then explore the Three Poisons (greed/grasping, hatred/aversion, and delusion); The Four Noble Truths; and the Noble Eightfold Path. A helpful book is Joseph Goldstein's Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, but readings are entirely optional.

Karuna Community Meditation meets every Sunday from 10-11:15AM at Jenna's House. Our sessions usually include a dharma talk, group discussion, and silent or lightly guided meditation. We've recently begun incorporating (optional) singing and chanting. No fee; donations gratefully received, and never obligatory.

Please join us at any time. It's helpful if you email beforehand, but not absolutely necessary.

*While meditation can be fertile ground for spiritual growth and healing, it is not a substitute for therapy. Mindfulness practices might not be appropriate for individuals with certain diagnoses, or those working through unprocessed trauma; participants are encouraged to speak with any mental health providers before attending.*

May 19, 2024, 10:30 AM to 3 PM

May 21, 2024, 10 AM to 7 PM

May 25, 10 AM to 2 PM, May 26, 2024