Hi Beautiful Bloomington Normal Meditators,
Here are a few meditation opportunities in the Chicago area at the Unity Temple. Note the October 6-7, 2 day retreat in Ingleside, IL.
If you hear of meditation opportunities that you would be willing to share with the group, please forward them to me and I will send them out to the group list.
And of course, we sit together each and every Sunday at UUBN from 6-7:00 followed by a reading/discussion.
Peace.
Carolyn
Mindful Reflection CommunityUnity Temple, 875 Lake Street in Oak Park, ILTuesday EveningsDoors open at 7:00 p.m. Meditation starts at 7:20 p.m.Late Arrivals Welcome! Stay for all or any part of the evening!Join the Mindful Reflection Community @Unity Temple Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulreflectionutuuc/
Tuesday Evening ScheduleLate arrivals are very welcome! Stay for all or any part of the evening!Those who arrive late by design (you prefer not to sit for 20 minutes) or due to work/home scheduling issues, should enter quietly whenever you arrive and take a seat and start your mindful reflection. If you remove your coats before you enter this will help keep the noise to a minimum. We expect some noise and you should not be worried about that! Dealing with what we are experiencing in any given moment by noticing without reactivity is the essence of mediation.-7:00 Arrival and intentional friendship building-7:20 Lighting the Mindful Reflection Community candle and 20 minutes of silent Mindful Reflection-7:40 Welcome/Introductions/Announcements -7:45 Brief sharing in dyads-7:50 Dharma Talk-8:20 Discussion-8:55 Ending circle, sharing the sacred gaze of friendship/friendliness (darshan), merit, and song-9:00 Extinguishing the Mindful Reflection Community candle and socializing as desiredUpcoming Events!Saturday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". . Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on. May 18-20. Terry will be facilitating a Men's Camping retreat with Brother Joseph Kilikivice from the Shem Center of Oak Park and Kevin Kuhn a naturalist. The retreat is called: Living up To Love. A Time to be Held by the Forest. It will be held at White Pines Forest State Park, Mt. Morris, Illinois and the retreat fee is $75. For more information and to register go to: http://www.shemcenter.org/shemcenter.org/Male_Spirit_Camping_Retreat.htmlSaturday, June 16, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on. June 20-24. Terry will be assisting a silent Buddhist retreat at the Rocky Mountain EcoDharma Center just outside of Boulder, Colorado lead by Peter Williams and Johann Robbins. Summer Solstice Nature Retreat. Why don't you join us! This is NOT an EcoDharma retreat but a regular center-based wilderness retreat. https://nebula.wsimg.com/84947a388cb264c148088eea77edf7eb?AccessKeyId=2CC969EB4AFC4EDC852E&disposition=0&alloworigin=1Saturday, July 21, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on. July 21-29 and July 29-Aug, 5. Ecodharma Summer Camp 2018. Location: Rocky Mountain EcoDharma Center, near Boulder, CO. Facilitated by David Loy and Johann Robbins. For more information: http://mailchi.mp/impermanentsangha/august-ecodharma-nature-retreat-1171473July 21-29. Inner and Outer Nature. Silent Meditation Retreat Sat July 21-Sun July 29.July 29-Aug. 5 Empowering Activism Ecodharma Retreat/Workshop. Sun July 29-Sun Aug 5Saturday, Aug. 18, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on. Saturday, Sept. 15, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on. Sept. 28-30, Terry will be facilitating a Men's Retreat with Brother Joseph Kilikivice and Terry Cahill in Plano, IL at the LaSalle Manner. It will include mediation, Dances for Universal Peace, and poetry writing. More information will become available. In the meantime check with Terry for more information. Oct. 6-7. The Mindful Reflection Community of Unity Temple will have it's second Fall two day retreat. It will be held at Camp Duncan in Ingleside, IL less than an hour from Oak Park. We will have our own cabin over looking a lovely lake. More details to follow. Scholarship will be available and costs will be around $70. Watch for additional information! Saturday, Oct 20, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on.Saturday, Nov. 17 from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on.Saturday, Dec. 15, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on.Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on.Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on.Saturday, March 16, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Thatcher Woods, (North entrance to the Pavilion) 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest, IL "Sacred Meditative Wanderings". Join Krista Mikos and Terry Kinsey to explore earth based concepts along with sitting and walking meditation. According to the traditional story, the future Buddha was born in a forest grove, left home to practice in nature, awakened under a tree, lived and taught in nature, and passed away in nature. Join us as we explore earth based concepts as well as meditation and mindfulness practices out in nature where it all started. There will be silence and discussion. The group will meet no matter what the weather so come prepared and bring a lawn chair to sit on.Thursday, April 25-Sunday, April 28, 2019. Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship Biennial Meeting, Garrison Institute, Garrison, N.Y. Dr. Jan Willis will be the keynote speaker and her topic will be: "Making the Invisible Visible: A Multimedia Exploration of Race and Racism in the US through a Buddhist Lens". Ebony Magazine name Dr. Willis one of the top 150 influential African Americans in America. She has taught Buddhist courses for over 40 years and has written many books and articles. Meditation, dharma talks, breakout groups, and discussion will occur throughout the weekend. This weekend is not to be missed!
Take care,Terry (312-405-5871)
pronouns: he/his/him
Developing Our Steady and Graceful Heart:A Residential Meditation RetreatwithRebecca BradshawOctober 4–7, 2018
Rebecca Bradshaw is the guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley in Easthampton, MA, and one of the guiding teachers at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA. She has been practicing Vipassana meditation since 1983 in the U.S. and Myanmar (Burma) and teaching since 1993.
Upcoming Retreats
Madison Insight Meditation Group offers three weekly meditation opportunities, one in central Madison, one on the west side, and one on the east side. Bring your own meditation cushion or bench if you have one. Chairs and some extra cushions are available. Central Sundays 6:00–8:00 p.m.First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison1st & 3rd Sundays: 45-minute sitting followed by talk and discussion 2nd, 4th, & 5th Sundays: 45-minute sitting, 20-minute walking meditation, 45-minute sitting (breakout group on 2nd Sundays offers introduction to insight meditation. This sitting group is peer-led.West Tuesdays 6:30–8:15 p.m.9638 Shadow Ridge Trail, Middleton45-minute sitting followed by Dhamma talk/discussion This sitting group is led by Janice Cittasubha Sheppard, who was trained at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery as a Buddhist Lay Minister, and at Spirit Rock Meditation Center as a Community Dharma Leader.EastFridays 7:30–9:00 p.m.Main Street Yoga, 1882 E. Main Street, Madison 30-minute sitting followed by 10-minute movement meditation and Dhamma discussion or talk Dhamma discussions will be led by James Meadows, Jayson Chung, and Richard Ely. James has had a meditation practice since 1994, when he spent four months at Wat Pah Nanachat (International Forest Monastery) in Thailand. He has a master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from Naropa University. Jayson was one of the earliest participants of Madison Insight Meditation Group. He has studied with Matthew Flickstein since 2005. Richard has practiced with Madison Insight for 10 years and is currently taking Janice Cittasubha Sheppard’s yearlong course, Form and Freedom in Theravada Buddhism 
Workshop, Non-residential Event1/2 day Workshop with Santikaro(September 2018)
Residential retreatMeditation Retreat with Santikaro (October 2018)WHEN: Thursday, October 4 to Sunday October 7WHERE: Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center, Chicago Registration opens: July 9, 2018. 
Residential retreatNew Year's Retreat with Andrew Getz(December 2018)WHEN: Thursday, December 27 to Monday December 31WHERE: Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center, Chicago Registration opens: September 25, 2018
Residential retreatJames Baraz Retreat(March 2019)WHEN: Friday March 15 to Sunday, March 17WHERE: Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center, Chicago Registration opens: December 4, 2018
Residential retreatSpring Retreat with Santikaro(May 2019)WHEN: Thursday May 2 to Sunday May 5, 2019WHERE: Portiuncula Center for Prayer, Frankfort ILRegistration opens: February 4, 2019
Residential retreatFall Retreat with Santikaro(September 2019)WHEN: Friday, September 6 to Wednesday, September 11, 2019WHERE: Portiuncula Center for Prayer, Frankfort ILRegistration opens: June 3, 2019 
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