Weekly Email 5-24-23

Dear Common Ground Friends,

We are sometimes confused by the emphasis Buddhism places on daily meditation and retreat practice given our intuition that running from the messiness in our lives is not a lasting answer to either our global or personal problems. How do we resolve this apparent contradiction?

One of the first lessons we learn from our sincere practice is that meditation is not an escape. Quite the opposite, awareness practice is a radical turning toward and opening up to present moment experience, just as it is. I have used the phrase at times in my practice, “Only just connect.” We purposely limit the ways we distract ourselves because we find that this open present moment exposure to the activities of the body and mind, although quite challenging, is also deeply liberating.

Whenever we simplify our external and internal environments, the mind secluded from many of its usual distractions and obsessions, it becomes easier for wisdom to do its job–discerning the skillfulness and unskillfulness of the mind’s intentions and habits. The relative quiet and simplicity of meditation provides the contrast that reveals the underlying conditional nature of how stressful states arise and cease in our hearts. This clear comprehension supports the deepening of understanding or wisdom leading onward to more freedom in our lives. In this world where the forces of greed, hatred and delusion have much momentum, we need every advantage available to us. It is a great and rare gift to be able to retreat from routines and responsibilities for a period of practice. Wishing everyone much success with their daily meditation practice and opportunities for retreat practice.

Peace,

Mark Nunberg
Co-Guiding Teacher

You shouldn’t chase after the past
or place expectations on the future.
What is past is left behind.
The future is as yet unreached.
Whatever quality is present
you clearly see right there.
Not taken in, unshaken,
that’s how you develop the heart.
Ardently doing what should be done today,
for — who knows? —  tomorrow death.
There is no bargaining with mortality & its mighty horde.
Whoever lives thus ardently, relentlessly both day & night,
has truly had an auspicious day:
so says the peaceful Sage.

the Buddha, MN 131

The Practice of Generosity

Ongoing Programs
To view a complete list of our regular program offerings, visit our upcoming programs page on our website. As always, our online calendar is the best way to find the correct times and Zoom links. 

Open Meditation
In-person meditation is now available, M-F, starting at 6:30 a.m. Check our online calendar for additional times and details. There are many in-person as well as virtual opportunities for silent meditation, 7 days a week. Visit the calendar for times and details.

Weekly Practice Groups

• Sunday mornings, 10:30-11:45 am in-person and on Zoom with Mark Nunberg
  • June 4th with Merra Young
• Sunday evenings, 7:00-8:30 pm in-person with Mark Nunberg
  • June 4th with Jean Haley
• Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:00 pm now in-person and on Zoom with Shelly Graf

Current Volunteer Needs 

Please contact our Office Manager, Robin Major, at robin@commongroundmeditation.org if you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities:

• Garden Help: Garden Team Lead Mark Mirick is looking for a couple strong volunteers to help dig up five dying Viburnum from the city center garden.
• Office Volunteers: We are looking for one or more people with 1-2 years of experience at the center and with prior office experience to help us with office tasks and bulletin board maintenance. Experience with G-Suite and general comfort with computer technology would be helpful.
• Wishlists: If you would like to donate a specific item, check out the Retreat Center Wishlist and the City Center Wishlist.

Community News 

Stacy McClendon at the Minnesota House
Common Ground teacher Stacy McClendon was asked to serve as chaplain for a MN House Floor Session last Sunday. Click here to watch Stacy’s inspiring reflection (ending at about minute 2:15).

Community Potluck!
Sunday, June 18th | 12:00 – 1:30pm
Celebrate community and bring a vegetarian dish to share! There will be music. If you’re like to volunteer to help out before, during, or after, click here.

TCVC Retreat with Deborah Helzer & Vance Pryor
June 17th-24th
This retreat, organized by the Twin Cities Vipassana Collective, will be held at St Anthony Spirituality Center in Marathon, Wisconsin.  Click here for more info and registration.

Upcoming Community Group Meetings
To view a complete list of our regular program offerings, visit our upcoming programs page on our website. As always, our online calendar is the best way to find the correct times and Zoom links. 

Judgment
Good or bad
is only your personal judgment
if you have right view
you will accept anything
that happens
as it is

 Thanks to The Daily Tejaniya for this quote

  
Scenes from last weekend’s Spring Maintenance Day from left to right: Charlie & Jeffrey resting after returning Kuan Yin to the garden, Ryan drying decorative stones on the sidewalk, Jan cleaning the water dispenser.