Weekly Email 6-29-22
Dear Common Ground Friends,
I would like to begin by asking you to join me in wishing Shelly Graf, Common Ground’s other Guiding Teacher, an easeful and insightful retreat. Shelly will be entering a period of retreat practice for the next four weeks. In many ways it is a radical act of love and curiosity to leave behind our family and friends, to disconnect from social media and all news, and to put aside most duties and responsibilities. In one way or another, humans have been experimenting with seclusion and meditative introspection since the beginning of time. It is the tried and true way to learn something about the nature of one’s heart and mind so as to be better able to respond to this hurting world and heart we are part of.
At the same time, our local metro community is learning how to skillfully reinhabit our beautiful city center, AND how to bring our beloved Zoom community with us. Beginning this Sunday, I will be teaching the 10:30 am Weekly Practice Group live in the Meditation Hall, and also on Zoom. With so much still in flux it is important to read the weekly email and check with Common Ground’s online calendar for updates on all programs. Please explore the many ways to engage with our dharma community. The circle of receiving and giving that makes our practice possible depends on everyone’s participation, sincere practice, support and love. The teachings of the Buddha go against the flow of so much of our cultural conditioning. It is useful to remember how hard it would be to develop our practice without the support from our community and center.
Peace,
Mark Nunberg
Co-Guiding Teacher
The Practice of Generosity
Continuing in the tradition of Buddhist monasteries in Southeast Asia, all programs at Common Ground are offered free of charge in the spirit of generosity. This offering is possible because of the generosity of people like you—from the Buddha on down to all the people in our community—who contribute their practice, time, and financial resources to support the continuation of the center.
To learn how to support the center and our teachers, visit this page. Let us know if you have any questions.
Mindful Service: Cleaning Afternoon at the City Center
Sunday, July 24th | 3:30pm – 6:15pm
Join Robin Major and Dave Redelman for an afternoon of deep cleaning. Refreshments will be provided before Mark Nunberg’s Practice Group begins at 7:00pm
Weekly Programs
To view our entire list of programs and to access Zoom links to participate in online programs, please visit the online calendar.
Weekly Practice Groups
- Sunday mornings, 10:30-11:45am on Zoom with Mark Nunberg (with an option to watch the livestream together in person in the meditation hall)
- Sunday evenings, 7:00-8:30pm in-person with Mark Nunberg
- Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:00pm on Zoom with Shelly Graf
- Wednesday, July 6th with Mark Nunberg
- Wednesday, July 13th with Wynn Fricke
- Fourth Fridays, 7:00-8:30pm on Zoom, Lovingkindness with Stacy McClendon
- First Fridays, 7-8:30pm on Zoom, Lovingkindness with Mark Nunberg
Community Practice Check-Ins
- Sundays, 4:30-5:30pm with Mark Nunberg and Wynn Fricke, on Zoom
- Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00pm with Stacy McClendon (Mark Nunberg joining on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month), on Zoom
- Fridays, 9:00-10:00am with Shelly Graf, on Zoom
- Friday, June 1st, Peer-Led
- Every other Saturday, 10:30am-12:00pm with Ramesh Sairam, on Zoom
- Every first Tuesday of the month, 8:00-9:00am, with Mark Nunberg, in-person
Join fellow community members for meditation practice in person or online, 7 days a week. Visit the calendar for times and details.
Yoga & Qigong
We offer Yoga and Qigong several times a week, both in person and online. Click here for times and details.
Meets every Friday, 7:00-8:30pm.
In-person and on Zoom
Visit the calendar for Zoom link
Upcoming Programs: Online Only
Mondays, 12:00 -1:00pm
InterPlay with Spruce Krause
Thursday, July 14th | 7:00 -8:30pm
Mindful Self-Compassion Practice Group with Jean Haley and Jane Rauenhorst
Friday, July 15th | 7:00 -8:30pm
Meditation and Attachment Disturbances with Amma Thanasanti
Sunday, July 17th | 2:00-3:30pm
For more info about Amma’s work click here
Upcoming Programs: In Person/Hybrid at Common Ground
To see full list of programs visit our calendar
Buddhist Studies Summer Course
Sila: Moral Integrity, Non-Harming, and the Bliss of Blamelessness
8 Mondays, June 27th – August 15th | 7:30pm – 9:00pm
In-person and on Zoom
Info and registration here.
Half-Day Retreat with Mark Nunberg
Saturday, July 2nd | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
In-person and on Zoom.
Info and registration here.
Relating Wisely to Vulnerability and Uncertainty with Ramesh Sairam
July 9th, 2022 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
In-person only
Info and registration here.
Masculinity Circle
July 9th, 2022 | 1:30pm – 4:00pm
In-person only
Info and registration here.
Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Jen Racho & Mark Nunberg
Five Tuesdays: July 12th- August 9th | 7:30pm – 9:00pm
In-person and on Zoom
Info and registration here.
Daylong Retreat with Meski Mebatsion & Mark Nunberg
Saturday, July 23rd | 9:30am – 4:00pm
In-person and on Zoom.
Info and registration here.
Half-Day Retreat with Shelly Graf
Saturday, August 6th | 1:00pm-4:00pm
Info and registration here.
Upcoming In-Person/Hybrid Programs at our retreat center
Common Ground Retreat Center is located in Wisconsin, about an hour-and-fifteen-minute drive from Minneapolis. Registration for the following programs can be found here.
Retreats:
Labor Day Retreat with Mark Nunberg & Shelly Graf
6:15pm Sunday, August 28th – 10:30am Monday, September 5th
Practice Periods:
Practice Period for Organizers & Activists
5:30pm Friday, July 8th – 2:00pm Sunday, July 10th.
5:00pm Thursday, July 14th – 2:00pm Sunday, July 17th.
Work Retreat with Cory Clemetson
Sunday, July 17th – Friday, July 29th
More info and registration here
In addition to these weekend retreats, we also offer public drop-in groups on select Wednesdays at the retreat center, 6:30-7:45pm.
- First Wednesday of the month: Community Group led by Matthew King and other practice leaders
- Third Wednesday of the month: Monthly Practice Group with Mark Nunberg and guest teachers
Current Volunteer Needs
- Website Design: We are looking into re-designing the Common Ground website in the coming months. If you have tech or website skills and are interested in helping to make this happen, please email robin@commongroundmeditation.org
- Weekly Sunday Evening Cleaning: Every Sunday evening there is a drop-in Community Cleaning time from 6-7pm, led by community leaders Brad Dupre and Dave Redelman. No RSVP needed.
Community News
Upcoming Community Group Meetings:
- Be Queer Now, weekly on Wednesday, 7:30-9:00pm
- Mindfulness & Depression, Sunday, July 3rd, 4:00-5:30pmChristianity-Buddhism Book Group, July 9th, 9:00 – 10:15am
- Community Group for Organizers & Social Justice Activists, Thursday July 14th, 6:00-7:30pm
- Refirement Community Group for Retirees, Thursday July 21st, 12:00-2:00pm
- Black, Indigenous, People of Color Community Group, Thursday July 21st, 6:30-8:00pm
- Millenials Sangha, Friday, July 22nd, 7:00-8:30pm
View public calendar for Zoom links and more information.
To see the complete list of community groups, click here.
Teen Practice Group
For more info, click here.
Weekly Tejaniya
The Buddha taught his son, Rahula:
“Before you speak, reflect. When you’re
speaking, reflect. After you’ve spoken,
reflect.” This is how to practice.
Thanks to The Daily Tejaniya for this quote
Common Ground in the afternoon sun
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