Withered Tree: A Mindfulness Meditation Community

02/02/2024

"Mindfulness is deliberately paying full attention to what is happening around you and within you - in your body, heart, and mind. Mindfulness is awareness without criticism or judgment." - Jan Chozen Bays

On Sunday, February 4, we'll continue discussing Tara Brach's Trusting the Gold: Uncovering Your Natural Goodness of pages 140-162.

We'll likely complete our consideration of this book this week. Our next book will be Larry Yang's, Awakening Together. We'll likely begin discussing this book on February 11.

12/07/2023

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world." - The Dhammapada

We hope you will join us for Sundays and Wednesdays meditation.

New Book - On Sunday, December 10, we'll begin our consideration of Tara Brach's Trusting the Gold: Uncovering Your Natural Goodness, starting with "An Opening Invitation" and continuing through "This Too."

10/01/2023

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. - Marcus Aurelius

On October 1, we'll begin discussing our new book, Real Life by Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg, by discussing pp. 1-21 (the introduction and first part of Chapter 1).

09/12/2023

On Sunday, September 17, we'll continue our consideration of the book, Mindful of Race by Buddhist teacher Ruth King by discussing pp. 223-242 (the end of Chapter 16 and all of Chapter 17).

We are nearing the end of this book and expect to begin our new book on October 1.

08/09/2023

This year's Fall Great Lakes Mindfulness Retreat is just 6 weeks away - please register if you are planning on attending!

06/22/2023

On Sunday, June 25, we'll continue our consideration of the book, Mindful of Race by Buddhist teacher Ruth King by discussing Chapter 8, "Kindness Meditation" (pp 93-103).

Withered Tree Sangha's Wednesday evening Mindfulness Circle is currently online and all of Sunday afternoon activities are now offered in hybrid modality, with both in-person and online options.

05/02/2023

Trial run of hybrid meetings:

Based on the results of a recent survey, we'll experiment with hybrid Sunday meetings during May 2023; people may attend either in-person or online beginning Sunday, May 7. (Wednesdays will remain virtual) We will reassess at the end of May to decide whether to continue hybrid meetings.

Sundays, 4-6PM: online AND in person at The Yoga Studio (959 Lake Dr SE, Suite 206 in Grand Rapids, MI 49506.

03/02/2023

"Inspiration comes not from conquering new horizons of thought or acquiring skills you had been lacking, but from relaxing into a more spacious view." - Susan Piver

On Sunday, March 5, we'll continue our consideration of Karia Jewel Lingo's book, We Were Born for These Times by discussing pages 49-61.

We hope you will join us for Sundays and Wednesdays meditation.

01/03/2023

"The only power our thoughts have is the power we give them." - Joseph Goldstein

We are nearing the end of our current book. We anticipate beginning our next book, We Were Born for These Times by Kaira Jewel Lingo, by January 30 or February 5.

12/21/2022

On Sundays, December 25 and January 1, we'll continue our consideration of Tara Brach's book, True Refuge by discussing the end of Chapter 11 through Chapter 12 (pp 186-226).

12/08/2022

On Sunday, December 11, we'll continue our consideration of Tara Brach's book, True Refuge, by discussing the end of Chapter 9 as well as Chapter 10 (pp 148-180).

10/21/2022

Weekly Reading:

On Sunday, October 23, we'll continue our consideration of Tara Brach's book, True Refuge, by discussing Chapter 3 (pp 28 - 44).

05/27/2022

Join Sharon Salzberg for Metta: A Community Vigil this Friday, May 27, from 7:00-7:40 PM ET. Register for this free event below:

May 27, 2022

05/07/2022

"Awareness of the breath is the essence of mindfulness." - Thich Nhat Hanh

On Sunday, May 8, we'll continue our consideration of Thich Nhat Hahn's Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, by discussing pages 105 -119 (the end of the chapter entitled "Reverence for Life: Non-Violence as a Path, Not a Tactic" ).

03/02/2022

On Sunday, March 6, we'll finish our consideration of Tara Brach's book, Radical Compassion by discussing the Appendices (pp 245 -253), as well as sharing any overall reflections of the book.

Next book: There was a tie between two of the books on the list, so we'll read them both, one after the next. On Sunday, March 13, we'll begin reading Thich Nhat Hahn's Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. When we're finished with that book, we'll read Finding Freedom: How Death Row Broke Open My Heart by Jarvis Masters.

02/13/2022

We are nearing the end of our current book; suggestions for the next book are:

1. Mindful of Race by Ruth King
2. Finding Freedom: How Death Row Broke Open My Heart by
Jarvis Masters
3. Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hahn

Additional suggestions can be made during the first half hour of the Sunday meeting (4- 4:30pm).

01/25/2022

Special Memorial Meditation Circle this week:

This Wednesday, January 26, we will devote our regular Wednesday Mindfulness Circle to honoring the memory of beloved teacher Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). It’s not a time of mourning, but a time to connect in a deep way with our spiritual ancestors as a source of energy and aspiration.

This will include a guided meditation, special readings and chanting of the Heart Sutra. We will have expanded time for Dharma sharing, as a time to celebrate the impact of Thay’s teachings on our lives, to provide a chance to share what Thay has meant to us or a story of how Thay’s teachings made a difference in our lives

This special memorial will begin at 7PM.

01/22/2022

It is with heavy hearts that we share news of Thich Nhat Hanh 's passing.

The International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism announces that our beloved teacher Thich Nhat Hanh has passed away peacefully at Từ Hiếu Temple in Huế, Vietnam, at 00:00hrs on 22nd January, 2022, at the age of 95. We invite our global spiritual family to take a few moments to be still, to come back to our mindful breathing, as we together hold Thay in our hearts in peace and loving gratitude for all he has offered the world.
More official news will be coming shortly.
Please sign up for email updates here: https://bit.ly/3fJx7pd

01/07/2022

"When the mind goes back to the present moment, it also goes back to the body; body and mind are united. Breathing is a bridge between mind and body." - Thich Nhat Hanh

On Sunday, January 9, we'll continue our consideration of the book, Radical Compassion by Tara Brach, by discussing the second part of Chapter 7 (Discovering Your Deepest Longing).

11/19/2021

"When you produce peace and happiness in yourself, you begin to realize peace for the whole world." - Thich Nhat Hanh

On November 21, we'll begin discussing our new book, Radical Compassion by Tara Brach, beginning with the preface (Loving Ourselves into Healing) and continuing with Chapter 1 (RAIN Creates a Clearing).

10/23/2021

On Sunday, October 24, we'll continue our consideration of Sharon Salzberg's: Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by discussing Chapter 10 (The Power of Generosity ).

We are nearing the end of our current book; suggestions for the next book are:

1. Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
2. Radical Compassion by Tara Brach
3. Mindful of Race by Ruth King
4. Finding Freedom: How Death Row Broke Open My Heart by
Jarvis Masters
5. Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

Additional suggestions can be made during the first hour of the Sunday meeting (4-5pm) or by sending a private message before Wednesday, October 27, after which a poll will be set up for selecting the next book.

10/20/2021

We are nearing the end of our current book, so we'll begin considerations for the next book. Suggestions can be made during the first hour of the Sunday meeting (4-5pm) or by sending a private message.

10/13/2021

Save The Date:

Dharma Teacher Jack Lawlor will be leading an online Day of Mindfulness on November 6. Jack is ordained as a lay teacher in the Plum Village Tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn, and will offer a talk on the importance of sangha. This event is sponsored by the Lansing Area Mindfulness Community, and there will also be an opportunity to formally receive the Five Mindfulness Trainings and a Dharma name. Those wishing to receive the Trainings will need to send a letter outlining practice aspirations; further details about this opportunity and additional logistical details will be provided as soon as possible.

08/08/2021

On Sunday, August 8, we'll continue our consideration of Sharon Salzberg's: Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by discussing Chapter 4: Hinderances to Lovingkindness.

Reminder-
Withered Tree Sangha's Wednesday evening Mindfulness Circle and all of the Sunday afternoon activities are now online; there are different links for Wednesdays & Sundays but the same links are valid each week. All sangha meetings are held via a platform called Zoom, which is free and easy to use from a computer or smartphone. If you haven't used Zoom previously, clicking on either link will allow you to set up your free account in advance of the meeting. (If you have a slow internet connection, you may prefer to disable the video option or phone in.)

1. Sundays, 4-6 pm: Three independent sessions - attend any or all!

4:00-4:20pm-Informal conversation (social time)
4:20-4:50pm-Book discussion
5:00-6:00pm-Sitting & Walking meditation (two 20 minute sessions of sitting meditation with 10 minutes of walking meditation between)
https://zoom.us/j/499619718?pwd=RVpWdXhnMHhOb0J4VXMvSWN3bGFSZz09
Meeting ID: 499 619 718 Password: 002789

2. Wednesdays, 7-8pm: Mindfulness Circle (integrated practice) Includes introduction to sitting and walking meditation, a brief reading from Thich Nhat Hahn, and discussion of the joys and challenges of living more mindfully.

https://zoom.us/j/110201550?pwd=TkZBdFEzZmZPMlJPcmJQWXJ2Qkl1QT09
Meeting ID: 110 201 550 Password: 030249

3. Phone-in option for either meeting: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago); enter appropriate meeting ID above when prompted.

07/05/2021

We are nearing the end of the current book. As previously agreed, our next book will be Sharon Salzberg's classic Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, which we expect to begin on July 18.

If you would like to be added to our weekly email, please send a private message with your request.

05/22/2021

on-line Vesak Celebration May 23

Live Stream Links (no registration needed) 30' Guided Sitting Meditation & Earth Touchings with Text 6:00 AM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m45ScIWdnmI Dharma Talk in English 9:30 AM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beoUy8eJbPE Bathing the Buddha Ceremony - 11:00 AM: https://www.

04/22/2021

Weekly Reading:
We'll continue our consideration of Joan Halifax's Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet on Sunday, April 25, by discussing pp 91- 117, the first two subsections of Section 3: "Integrity".

04/14/2021

Weekly Reading -
We'll continue our consideration of Joan Halifax's Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet on Sunday, April 19, by discussing pp 68 - 89, the last three subsections of Section 2: "Empathy"

If you would like to be added to our weekly email, please send a private message with your request.

03/22/2021

Weekly Reading - We'll continue our consideration of Joan Halifax's Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet on Sunday, March 28, by discussing pp 13-33, the first two subsections of Section 1: "Altruism"

01/15/2021

Weekly reading: We'll continue discussing Pema Chodron's book, Welcoming the Unwelcome, on January 17, with Chapter 13, "Cool Emptiness."

Reminder:

Withered Tree's Online Offerings

Withered Tree Sangha's Wednesday evening Mindfulness Circle and all of the Sunday afternoon activities are now online; there are different links for Wednesdays & Sundays but the same links are valid each week. All sangha meetings are held via a platform called Zoom, which is free and easy to use from a computer or smartphone. If you haven't used Zoom previously, clicking on either link will allow you to set up your free account in advance of the meeting. (If you have a slow internet connection, you may prefer to disable the video option or phone in.)



Sundays, 4-6 pm: Three independent sessions - attend any or all!

4:00 - 4:20pm -Informal conversation (social time)
4:20 –4:50pm -Book discussion (see more info under “Weekly reading”)
5:00 - 6:00pm - Sitting & Walking meditation (two 20 minute sessions of sitting meditation with 10 minutes of walking meditation between)

https://zoom.us/j/499619718?pwd=RVpWdXhnMHhOb0J4VXMvSWN3bGFSZz09

Meeting ID: 499 619 718 Password: 002789

Wednesdays, 7-8pm: Mindfulness Circle (integrated practice)
Includes introduction to sitting and walking meditation, a brief reading from Thich Nhat Hahn, and discussion of the joys and challenges of living more mindfully.

https://zoom.us/j/110201550?pwd=TkZBdFEzZmZPMlJPcmJQWXJ2Qkl1QT09

Meeting ID: 110 201 550 Password: 030249

Phone-in option for either meeting: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago); enter appropriate meeting ID above when prompted.