Dear Common Ground Friends,

Feeling into the impact of suffering can often inspire us to seek the deepest, most noble place to rest the heart upon. This is what we might call seeking refuge. It’s common practice at Common Ground to take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha in a traditional way at the beginning of some programs and retreats as a way of reminding ourselves of what is trustworthy in the midst of our busy and uncertain realities. It can also be a supportive daily ritual, in our own way, to bring the refuges to mind as a way of seeking guidance and supporting our aspirations to live as skillfully as possible.

Seeking refuge in the Buddha is an effort to trust awareness or intimacy as a deep guide. When we seek refuge in the Dharma, we seek to understand deeply, the nature of life or experience as it is. Going for refuge in sangha is an act of acknowledging the strength of our good intentions to practice in relationship with one another for the sake of our collective awakening. In seeking refuge, we touch into a history and lineage that goes all the way back to the time of the Buddha. It can be a beautiful reflection to place ourselves in relationship with refuge seekers through so many generations. When we take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, we acknowledge that we are part of a sangha or community as the Buddha intended it for all practitioners.

For some of us, rooting in lay dharma centers such as Common Ground makes good sense. We can also be grateful that for some, leaving life as we know it and going forth into monastic life also makes good sense. Beyond putting on robes, the monastic form includes drastically simplifying ones life so that the cultivation of love and wisdom are among the highest values upheld in community and in all of life’s activities, in service of an ever deepening understanding of dharma, and for the sake of our collective liberation. What a deep act of generosity to live in this way! The Buddha intentionally established an interdependent relationship between lay and monastic communities so that we all keep our highest aspirations and collective well being in mind and make contributions that serve our deepest values.

Almost 8 years ago, one of Common Ground’s very own, Michelle Raymond, decided to leave their life in Minneapolis and go forth, entering into the monastic sangha. Venerable Niyyanika now resides in the Sierra Foothills of California, at Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery.  Gratefully, they are back in to visit their Common Ground family this week. They spent some time out at Common Ground’s retreat property where they were instrumental in helping to develop systems in the early days. They are back in Minneapolis for a few more days, before heading back to California. There are  two opportunities tomorrow to connect or reconnect with Venerable Niyyanika in person (below). I encourage you to consider attending either or both opportunities if you are able. Maybe you feel as deeply as I do, what a gift it is to participate in relationship with our beloved monastic sangha.

Warm Wishes,

Shelly Graf

“Among whatever communities or groups there may be, the Sangha of the Tathagata’s disciples is considered supreme — Those who have confidence in the Sangha have confidence in what is supreme; and for those with confidence in the supreme, supreme will be the result.”

The Buddha, Iti 90

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)
  • June 19th with Amma Thanasanti
• Sunday evenings, 7:00-8:30pm in-person with Mark Nunberg
• Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:00pm on Zoom with Shelly Graf

Wednesday night programs with Ayya Niyyanika
Tea and Conversation 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
All are welcome to join in for a relaxed time to connect with Ayya Niyyanika and Q&A about monastic life

Weekly Practice Group 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Tonight’s program will be both in person and via zoom.
Join Ayya Niyyanika and Shelly Graf as they explore how spiritual friendship benefits seclusion.

Monthly Practice Groups

• 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 

• Wish List for the retreat center: We are looking for a large cooking pot (sized for 15 or more servings) and comfy sitting chairs for the bedrooms.
• 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 Tuesday mornings, 8:00- 8:30am.  Email info@commongroundmeditation.org if interested.

Community News 

Seeking vocalist/guitarist

Weekly Tejaniya

No matter whether you are
sitting, walking, or going about
your daily activities, ask yourself
now and again: What is the mind
doing? Thinking? Thinking about
what? Being aware? Being
aware of what?

 Thanks to The Daily Tejaniya for this quote