Insight Chicago Meditation

Sangha can be translated to "assembly" or "association," and often refers to the Buddhist monks and nuns who have sustained the teachings for 2,500 years. In Vipassana Buddhism sangha also refers to fellow practitioners, those whose parallel efforts support ones' own. In this sense a sangha is something of a congregation. Insight Chicago is a sangha of refuge and support. The sangha provides a strong sense of community, an on-going support for study, and an aid in bringing the dharma into our lives. Sitting groups are like the backbone of the Insight Chicago sangha.

There are several regular Insight Chicago group sits in the Chicago area. These are often small groups meeting in members' homes, open to newcomers. People attending should arrive on time and bring a cushion or bench if they like to sit on the floor. Vipassana sits are silent, generally 45 minutes in length, and they are often followed by periods of discussion. Depending on the Sangha latecomers may be able to enter and join the group.

Rogers Park, Chicago

The Sangha which meets in a home in East Rogers Park Mondays 7:30-9:30. It is near the Morse stop on the CTA red line. After a 45-minute meditation the group usually engages in discussion and/or listens to a Buddhist recorded teaching until 9:30 or so.

Santikaro attends this Sahgha about once a month, with a Dharma talk after a half-hour sit. These talks are interactive and usually refer to the Pali Sutras -- the original record of Gautama Buddha's oral teachings. On these nights there is an opportunity to offer dana, part of our practice and an expression of appreciation to Santikaro for his generosity in offering the teachings and his time with us. The dana box is usually on the small table next to the front door.

The door will be left open for late comers to quietly slip in and join us but please try to be prompt.

In recent months and in coming months Santikaro's Dhamma talks focus on the satipatthana (applications of mindfulness). Readings are Mindfulness with Breathing, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (Wisdom Publications) and Satipatthana, Analayo.

• April 28 2008
• May 12 2008
• Mid-June 2008
  
  

  To check on readings or Santikaro's schedule with Insight Chicago:
  http://liberationpark.org/events/ic-monday.htm

  
  

PLEASE NOTE: This schedule is occasionally subject to change. If you have doubts, contact Nancy Randleman at nrandleman (at) hotmail.com or 773.697.6871 for details and directions.

We will NOT be hosting Monday night sits on the following Monday evenings:

• March 17th, 2008 (CPS Spring Break)
• May 26th, 2008 (Memorial Day)
• September 1st, 2008 (Labor Day)
  
  
  

Other Vipassina groups in the Chicago area include

Beverly, Chicago, IL.

• Sundays, (time to be announced) hosted by Carly Carney at Beverly Yoga Center. Contact Carly at carlycarney@mac.com or 773.239.9642.

Elgin, IL.

• Monday evenings, 7-9pm., hosted by Deb Wright. Deb offers a 30-45 min. sit and practice discussion. She will not host on 01/29/07. Contact Deb at debwright@earthlink.net or 630.935.6892. The web site for this group is http://www.elginim.org/.

Evanston, IL.

• Sunday mornings, Northside Sangha hosted by Ralph Marol. Contact Ralph at rmarol1@comcast.net or 847.675.0282.