Weekly Email 4-12-2021
Hi Common Ground friends,
Many of us woke up this morning to learn of the killing of Mr. Daunte Wright, a likely unarmed black man, by local police. Much remains unknown at this time, but it remains painfully clear that we all need to take responsibility for the terrible injustices that keep happening in our communities. How do we, each of us in our own situation, turn toward the truth of suffering, ignorance, and injustice in our communities? I practice the Buddha’s teachings to learn better how not to get swept away by unhelpful patterns of denial, distraction, and reactivity. More importantly, I aspire to plant seeds for healing, justice, and inclusive love in our world. My own decades of practice has led me to understand that this outer work of caring for all is exactly what my inner spiritual work of awakening requires. I now find it useful to view my spiritual path as one of learning to express love and wisdom in the world and also with my own heart, wounded and distorted by endless cycles of ignorance and hate.
Resources to help us stay present with all that is moving in our community:
Truth and Justice Vigil
Healing our City Daily Virtual Prayer Tent
I would also like to invite those who identify as males and masculine to join in at 2 on Saturday, April 17th for our next Masculinity Community Conversation facilitated by Louis, Omkar, Gabe, Robb, Malik, and Mark where we unpack and reimagine what a wise and compassionate expression of masculinity might look like. More info and registration here.
Sending out wishes for the deepest healing,
Mark Nunberg
Upcoming Program Highlights
- STACY MCCLENDON & MARK NUNBERG lead the weekly Community Practice Check-In. 12:00-1:00pm. Zoom link here.
- Guest Teacher NOLIWE ALEXANDER will lead the Truth & Justice Vigil, speaking on the theme of Where Does It Hurt? Suffering in the Time of Injustice. 6:00-7:30pm. More info here. Zoom link here.
SHELLY GRAF will lead the Weekly Practice Group. 7:30-9:00pm. Zoom link here.
- SHELLY GRAF leads the weekly Community Practice Check-In. 9:00-10:00am.Zoom link here.
- The Black, Indigenous, People of Color Practice Group meets 6:30-8:00pm. Zoom link here.
LOUIS ALEMAYEHU, MARK NUNBERG, ROBB REED, OMKAR SAWARDEKAR, MALIK WATKINS, & GABE KELLER FLORES will lead a Community Conversation for Those who Identify as Male, Men, or as Embodying Masculinity on exploring assertive and receptive qualities. 2:00-3:30pm. More info and registration here.
- MARK NUNBERG will lead the Weekly Practice Group. 10:30-11:45am. Zoom link here.
- WYNN FRICKE & MARK NUNBERG lead the weekly Community Practice Check-In. 4:30-5:30pm. Zoom link here.
SHAILA CATHERINE will give a Guest Teacher Talk on Right Concentration and the Deep Absorption States of Jh?na. 7:30-9:00pm. More info here.
SATURDAY, MAY 1ST
MARK NUNBERG will lead a Half-Day Retreat, 1:00-5:00pm. More info and registration here.
TUESDAYS, MAY 18TH – JUNE 22ND
MARK NUNBERG will offer an Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Course over Zoom. 6 Tuesdays, 7:30-9:00pm. More info and registration here.
THURSDAY, MAY 20TH
Work Day at Common Ground (Minneapolis)! More info and registration here. 9am-12pm.
Please note that all times listed are in Central time. For complete, up-to-date program information, visit the online calendar. We recommend you bookmark it for easy access during the week. You might also want to bookmark our Youtube channel.
Outside Online Programs with Mark and Shelly
- Mark will be leading a session as part of the Healing Our City Virtual Prayer Tent series of daily reflections from different faith leaders. Wed. Apr. 14th @ 8am.
- Online Retreat: Cloud Mountain Retreat Center: Understanding the Whirlpools of this Mind with Mark Nunberg & Shelly Graf
Apr 23 – 27, 2021; Registration here . - Online Retreat: Insight Meditation Society: Contemplating Arising and Passing Away: The Path to Insight with Shelly Graf, Tara Mulay, & Andrea Castillo
May 07 – May 09, 2021; Registration here . - Online Retreat: Southern Dharma: Understanding the Whirlpools of this Mind
with Mark Nunberg
May 19 – 23, 2021; Registration here.
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.
Community News
Community Groups Meeting this Week
- Refirement Community Group for Retirees, Thurs. Apr. 15th, 12:00-2:00pm. Zoom link here.
- Support Group for Friends & Family of People with Mental Illness, Sun. Apr. 18th, 1:00-2:30pm. Zoom link here.
- Mindfulness & Depression Community Group, Sun. Apr 18th, 4:00-5:30pm. Zoom link here.
See the calendar for more info about these community groups.
Openings in CG Sutta Study Groups
Common Ground has two Sutta Study Groups that meet on the first Saturday morning of each month to study the teachings of the Buddha and to strengthen relationships among committed practitioners and leaders. The groups are now accepting applications for new members, who will join the groups starting in May. There are 5 open slots in the existing groups for which a lottery will be run on April 26th. Additionally, we are starting a new, online-only sutta study group with meeting time TBD by the participants. For more info and to apply, click here.
Community Member Looking for Support
We would like to pass along a request from a CG community member, Kathilyn, who is struggling with a debilitating, life-threatening illness. To read more, including a poem by her, click here.
Recent Blog Posts
Upcoming Events from MN Interfaith Power & Light
Looking for Donations for Prairie Farm
We’re looking for the following items to be donated to Prairie Farm, if anyone has them:
- 2 nightstands
- wool area rugs (5×9 or smaller)
Weekly Tejaniya
Don’t complain about experience;
appreciate that it can be known. Ap-
preciate awareness every moment.
Thanks to The Daily Tejaniya for this quote
Spring begins at the CG garden
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