What we’re about
Like our Sister Group in Stuart Florida, we are a peer led group that focuses on Buddhist practice and inquiry. Our membership reflects many diverse beliefs in one of the world's oldest and most heterogeneous religions. For many modern students and practitioners, Buddhism has become less of a religion and more of a series postulations and methods designed to help the human condition evolve in a kinder, more comprehensive direction.
The principles the Buddha taught 2500 years ago have led to happier lives for countless human beings. Buddhist teachings apply today more than ever in reducing stress, providing peace, encouraging mental stability and enhancing understanding of living and dying. Buddhism teaches that the mind and our concepts are the cause of our unnecessary problems and that the mind can be positively influenced by reflection and meditation.
The Buddhist Study and Meditation Group of Newburyport and Stuart Florida are an interstate experiment in spiritual participatory democracy, exploring the diversity and inclusiveness within Buddhist thinking and practice. This peer-led approach encourages regular participants to teach/present Buddhist related topics.
We invite beginners, experienced Buddhist practitioners of all persuasions, as well as people curious about Buddhism to attend our meetings. Because of the pandemic, we have moved to the Zoom platform. We 'meet' at 6:30PM every Thursday with a 30 minute meditation, followed by a Dharma talk/presentation, or a book study and group discussion until 8:00 PM. You will receive the Zoom link when you RSVP to each event.
If you wish to remain a member, we ask that you attend a meeting or visit our Meetup web page at least once every 6 months. It is also recommended for those who are not familiar with meditation to request a free brief meeting for individual meditation instruction. This can happen prior to a meeting. You can contact Alida Bryant at info@harbordharma.net.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- WEDNESDAY: Being Right HereLink visible for attendees
You are invited to join our sister Sangha
on 2nd 4th & 5th Wednesday nights of each month
We have a Book Study ongoing with the book:
"Being Right Here:
A Dzogchen Treasure Text of Nuden Dorje
Entitled The Mirror of Clear Meaning" by James Low.- If you would like to purchase this book, best price sources can be found at this link: To purchase
Tonight we will have an alternative reading
for the commentary of verse 19 from the book
The Mirror of Clear Meaning:
A Commentary on the Dzogchen Treasure Text of Nuden Dorj
Same Treasure Text Same Author different Commentary
(which has 165 total more pages to it Pub. date: 10/28/2021)
Please Read:(from your current text)- From verse 19 "Relax, Free of Holding"
We will have a slight review and continue with our reading and dharma discussion .
As you read through this text, please mark any noteworthy sections you would like to share with the group. In order to have the benefit of all our perspectives as we read through this book together, we ask that each of you purchase this text. If you are unable to afford this, money will be used from our sangha funds to assist you. Please send a message to stuartsangha@gmail.com to begin this process.
If you do not wish to read the book, you are welcome to join us and audit the events as a quiet observer; of course, questions on the text being discussed are always welcome.
About the book:
This text renders a very clear and authentic account of the view and essential meditation of Dzogchen, the practice of nondual experience.
Dzogchen, often considered the highest practice of Tibetan Buddhism, is an ancient system of realizing one's own authentic nature. Carrying on an unbroken line of transmission, this text presents a traditional consideration of the system's key points. It speaks to the heart of the human condition, highlighting the need to integrate all the aspects of one's being. In the process, the practitioner learns to overcome fear, anxiety and denial.
The commentary explains pivotal practices and addresses difficulties that arise in meditation. It provides both an expansion of the traditional concepts embodied in he text and an examination of how they can function in contemporary life.- If you would like to purchase this book The Mirror of Clear Meaning, sources can be found at this link: To purchase
- In case you missed the video that introduced us to the subject of our current text.
Here is a LINK James Low teaching for students on the view and essential meditation of Dzogchen the practice of nondual experience.
- mentioned in class on Tantra section Links to Tantra Sadhanas by Lama Lena
- THURSDAY: Vision is MindLink visible for attendees
We will continue with, and probably finish, Chapter 4: Vision is Mind, perhaps beginning with the Guided Meditation Practice on page 64 before picking up where we left off on page 72. We are encouraged to bring the Guided Meditations in this book to our cushion as often as possible! It is recommended (but never required) to read ahead of time to more fully participate in the discussion and the practice.
Inner Refuge is not a place or a time. It is what is immediately accessible to us because it is innate in us. Awakening the Luminous Mind brings us extraordinary practices and guidance that we can use to deeply understand and then release our pain, and come to an experience of clarity and joy.
Please join us this Thursday as we begin with Rinpoche's guidance, which takes us deeply into the three refuges. These are available to everyone who has bought any version of the book. See page 135.Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Trained as a Bön monk, Rinpoche now lives as a householder, allowing him to more fully relate to the needs and concerns of his students. Known for the depth of his wisdom and his unshakeable commitment to helping students recognize their true nature, he is the author of many books and online courses.
Awakening the Luminous Mind introduces us to, and provides skillful practices in an amazing fact: We have within us a resource that can end all confusion and suffering! Our true nature, our true identity, "...is the open and clear space of being... an awareness of openness [that] is the source of all healing as well as the source of creativity, joy, love, compassion and all other positive qualities."
We will be assisted by one of Rinpoche's students, and we hope others will join us!
Refuge and Dedication docx
Here is where to find the book:
DealOz Best Book Prices
Audiobook play for free at audiobooks
or archive
play.google
Amazon audibleWe are the Buddhist Study and Meditation Group of Newburyport and All Over the World. Our community celebrates insight, debate, analysis, fun, and laughter. Some of us have been practicing for 20 years and others are brand new to Buddhist teachings. We love beginners. Feel free to sign in early to enjoy some social time with our Sangha. Through our lively discussions we seek to unpack the nature of reality through the Buddhist perspective. We value your presence and any contributions you may offer. Hope to see you on Thursday!
