Dear Common Ground Friends,

Cultivating a lifestyle of mindful awareness is challenging because we are going against the stream of our conditioning that values distraction, superficiality, and fixed views. Although difficult, the practice is simple. We are learning to wisely recollect (over and over again), ‘This experience is being known.’ Our habit bound mind might reject this with, “Big deal! So what! What’s the point?” I am guessing that the Buddha’s compassionate response might be something like, “You are going to have to check this out for yourself before you will understand the value of the practice.” To help us check out how this practice will be of value in our lives, we can periodically ask the mind a question such as: “What is being known here and now?”, “What is the mind knowing?”, or “Can the experience, that is being known, be allowed?” We will have to find our own ways to start over each time the mind has once again become distracted or lost in thought. In order to develop some momentum, we will need to sense directly the value of the practice. See if you can notice the brightening energy that builds with more continuity. With dedicated practice one should sense in the background of the mind a trustworthy and growing sense of space that has the flavor of peace and freedom, whenever the mind is not distracted. At first this freedom and peace will be subtle, but it is important that it be clearly acknowledged and appreciated for what it is. We might also notice how we are more nimble and resilient as we relate and respond in our daily lives. This naturally will arise from valuing the continuity of present moment awareness, discerning, ‘This present moment experience is being known.’

Peace,

Mark

Weekly Programs

• 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, March 30th will be with Patrice Koelsch

• 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

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.

Current Volunteer Needs 

• Looking for volunteer kitchen manager for a retreat organized by the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community group. At our retreat center April 26-29th. Prioritizing BIPOC volunteers.
• Looking for audio processing volunteers to help upload talks to Dharmaseed, let info@commongroundmeditation.org know if you have the skills to help.
• 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.
• Bellringers (in-person): We’re looking for volunteers interested in ringing the bell for the morning sits on Wednesday and Friday mornings, 7:30-8:30am and for Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:00pm. Email info@commongroundmeditation.org if interested.

Community News 

Supporting Parents in the Community

Weekly Tejaniya
Compassion is a wholesome state. When
you feel pure compassion, it feels good. The
energy of the mind is good. Very gentle. And,
the desire to help is always a part of compassion. You  want to bring relief.

You accept, and you want to help. It is very positive.