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- Journeying in the Bardos - A special presentationLink visible for attendees
We are thrilled to welcome guest teacher Lama Elizabeth Monson, PhD. She is the Spiritual Co-Director of Natural Dharma Fellowship and the Managing Teacher at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge in Springfield, NH.
Liz was authorized as a dharma teacher and lineage holder in the Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism after over 30 years of studying, practicing, and teaching Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. In 2015, Liz completed a doctorate at Harvard University, and was a Visiting Lecturer in the Study of Religion in 2015-16. Read more here...This evening Lama Liz will introduce us to the Bardos, a set of six transitional states that cover the full cycle of life, death and rebirth. There will be meditation, a Dharma Talk and discussion.
Our current study of the Heart Sutra brings us a deeper understanding of emptiness. This in turn cuts through our attachment and the suffering of ignorance. This is an essential preparation as, inevitably, we approach dying and death. Having a clear understanding of impermanence and emptiness makes our transition and transformation into the Bardos of Dying and Dharmata much easier. Please join us as we discover the nuances and important threads of understanding through these two huge concepts in Buddhism.
