Meeting with a Dharma Teacher

There are many good reasons to seek out an opportunity to ask questions and discuss your practice with a Buddhist meditation teacher. Community members are strongly encouraged to participate regularly in programs that include group discussions before scheduling a one-on-one meeting with a teacher. Group meetings are a wonderful way to not only receive support for your individual practice, but also to benefit from the questions and sharing of other practitioners.

Below are several options for connecting with Common Ground Dharma Teachers, including Guiding Teachers Shelly Graf and Mark Nunberg.

Weekly Practice Groups

These weekly practice groups are offered several times per week and designed to be a cornerstone for one’s practice. Each session includes a guided meditation, dharma talk, and time for practice questions. For more info and the weekly schedule, see our Program Overview.

Small Group Practice Check-Ins

Small group practice check-ins are also offered weekly and include a guided meditation followed by discussion and Q&A time. Times are listed below; for Zoom links, see the calendar.

  • Sundays, 4:30-5:30pm with Mark Nunberg and Wynn Fricke, on Zoom
  • Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00pm with Stacy McClendon (Mark Nunberg joining on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month), on Zoom
  • Wednesdays 8:30-9:30am with Shelly Graf, assisted by Robin Major, in-person only
  • Fridays, 9:00-10:00am with Shelly Graf, joined by Jen Racho every other week, on Zoom
  • Every other Saturday, 10:30am-12:00pm with Ramesh Sairam, on Zoom

1:1 Meetings

These slots are for people who would like to ask questions about their practice, but don’t feel it would be appropriate to ask their questions in a group setting. If you are interested in a meeting with a different Common Ground teacher please email the office at: info@commongroundmeditation.org

With Co-Guiding Teacher Mark Nunberg: October 2023
Please limit meetings with Mark to no more than once every three months, to ensure opportunity for everyone interested.

With Co-Guiding Teacher Shelly Graf: September-October 2023

With Patrice Koelsch: August-September 2023

With Ramesh Sairam: August-September 2023

With Kyoko Katayama: August – September 2023

All programs at the center, including one-on-one meetings are offered freely. If you would like to offer a donation to support the teacher’s livelihood and the center, please visit http://commongroundmeditation.org/about/supporting-the-center, use the iPad at the center, or leave a check or cash in the bowl at the center and designate it “meeting with (teacher’s name).”