Greetings Friends,

On Monday, we paused to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, a Baptist minister whom we might call an heir of the Buddha. The messages of both of these wise beings point us in the direction of a deeper understanding of suffering and a call to explore the depths of love. Today, may we carry forward the wisdom and love that these ancestors brought forward. May we remember that even when it doesn’t seem like it, we are always within and surrounded by a force of love, urging us to continue our own explorations. What are the roots of suffering in this moment? How may I align my heart with the depths of love? May we remember the goodness within us and bow to its movement so that it reaches all. On this day of the inauguration of a new administration, may the depth of love surround both those departing their roles and those stepping into new roles.

Peace,

Shelly 

“As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation — either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.” -MLK

Upcoming Program Highlights

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20TH
SHELLY GRAF will lead the Weekly Practice Group as usual. 7:30-9:00pm. Zoom link here.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST
The People of Color Practice Group meets 6:30-8:00pm. Zoom link here.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22ND
STACY MCCLENDON leads the weekly Lovingkindness Practice Group, 7:00-8:30pm. Zoom link here.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23RD
MARK NUNBERG leads a Daylong Retreat, 9:30am-4:00pm. More information and registration here.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24TH
MARK NUNBERG will lead the Weekly Practice Group as usual, 10:30-11:45am. Zoom link here. Mark is currently covering Mindfulness of Breathing. There are resources on the topic here.

TUESDAYS, FEBRUARY 2ND – MARCH 9TH
JEAN HALEY and JANE RAUENHORST are offering a six-week Mindful Self-Compassion course on Tuesdays, 1:30-3:00pm. For more info and registration click here.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH
MARK NUNBERG will lead a Half-Day Retreat from 1:00-5:00pm. More info and registration here.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH
SHELLY GRAF and MARK NUNBERG will lead a Two-Day Online Retreat. For more info and registration, click here.

Please note that all times listed are in Central time. For complete, up-to-date program information, including programs cancelled for holidays, visit the online calendar. We recommend you bookmark it for easy access during the week. You might also want to bookmark our Youtube channel. 

Additional non-CG events Taught by Mark and Shelly:

Mindfulness & Insight Meditation: The Mah?si Method
Thursday, February 25 – Sunday, February 28 w/ Mark Nunberg, Kamala Masters, & Steve Armstrong

The Practice of Generosity

Continuing in the tradition of Buddhist monasteries in Southeast Asia, all programs at Common Ground, including these online programs, 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.

Interested in snowblowing for CG this winter?
We are still looking for snowblowing volunteers!  We have a snowblower and we can train you in. If you’re intimidated by the snowblower, we also need shoveling volunteers. If interested in joining the snow team, please email Rob at rwkohlmeyer@yahoo.com. Thank you!

Community News 

Community Groups Meeting this Week

• Be Queer Now Meditation Sangha, Wednesday, 7:30-9:00pm. Zoom link here.
• Refirement Community Group for Retirees, 12:00-2:00pm. Zoom link here.
• Millenials Sangha, Friday, 7:00-8:30pm. Zoom link here.
• CG Book Club, Sunday, 8:30-10:00am. Zoom link here. The group will be discussing How to Be an Anti-racist Chapters 14 through 18.

See the calendar for more info about these community groups.

CG Mutual Support Form
We’ve created a form to gather info from community members interested in offering eachother support in the form of social connection, help with errands, or other forms of support. If you’re interested in participating, you can fill out the form here.

Job Opening at Compassionate Ocean Zen Center
Our fellow Twin Cities Dharma center Compassionate Ocean Zen Center are looking to hire a part-time Administrative Director. This is a new leadership position, taking full responsibility for developing, maintaining, and growing the administrative function of the Center. More info here.
Weekly Tejaniya
Awareness is the home of the mind
so we must stay at home.