About us
Welcome Meditators of All Traditions & Experience Levels!
The purpose of this group, as the Buddha said, is to seek out "wise and beneficial friends" who support us and our Meditation practice. We are a group of beginning and advanced meditators, extending an open invitation to anyone seeking to develop a meditation practice that is an integral part of a caring/care-full relationship to oneself and the world.
All teachers agree: The key to a successful meditation practice is regular practice. The development of Wisdom through regular meditation practice can lead to a decrease of "suffering" as well as an increase in Inner Peace and Compassion for oneself and others. This group is open to people who realize the benefits of meditating together and want to make a dedicated effort to sustain a once-weekly sitting meditation (with instruction, as needed). Most weeks, a reading with brief discussion and mingling follows.
This group is open to all schools of thought, meditation formats and experience levels. People of any religious tradition—Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic or without label for their spirituality—are welcome. People of all ethnicities, gender, sexual orientation and country of origin are welcome! We strive to lead lives guided by ethical commitments as set forth by the eightfold path articulated in Buddhist tradition while recognizing our unity with those from all the great spiritual traditions of the World.
We are a peer-lead group with facilitation of the evenings rotating between six group members. We are fellow practitioners and accept no remuneration for our time. Our benefit is the opportunity to practice with others on the path!
Please join us! You are most welcome.
Upcoming events
4
CHICAGO MEDITATES - 3/9 - Holy Trinity/Zoom
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1218 W Addison St, Chicago, IL, USEveryone is welcome to join our weekly meditation on Monday evening at 7:00pm. All levels of experience are welcome. If you are new to meditation, make that known to the facilitator so we can provide some guidance for you. We have up to 30 minute silent sitting sessions, so some level of acclimation to stillness is helpful. Though we are secular, you'll find Buddhism, Vipassana, and mindfulness are common themes here. THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE AT HOLY TRINITY, 1218 ADDISON, CHICAGO, 2ND FLOOR, ST. MARK'S ROOM.
The evening will include silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, a reading and reflection with time to share with one another. Some times there is very accessible Qigong as a way to tune into the body.
Parking passes are available for the lot behind Missio Dei, 1242 Addison (the lot is accessed from the alley behind Missio Dei). 383 neighborhood parking passes are available for $1.
A NOTE ABOUT COVID SAFETY: Please be vaccinated as fully as the Illinois Department of Public Health allows. MASKING IS OPTIONAL. For more information on Covid safety practices for this group, please read here.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH, A HANDFUL OF US ARE MEETING AT 6PM FOR DINNER BEFORE MEDITATION! BRING A SANDWICH, SALAD OR WHATEVER YOU WISH AND JOIN US!
There is a $1 voluntary donation for the evening to help defray the cost of our rent at Holy Trinity.
Those who would like to join us by Zoom can join using the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89486909390?pwd=zitbdRiFgIB8sOmefmr1xbwDYzuP2G.1Meeting ID: 894 8690 9390
Passcode: 519383Please be on time and have your camera on. Late joiners will not be able to access the Zoom.
7 attendeesCHICAGO MEDITATES - 3/16 - Holy Trinity/Zoom
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1218 W Addison St, Chicago, IL, USEveryone is welcome to join our weekly meditation on Monday evening at 7:00pm. All levels of experience are welcome. If you are new to meditation, make that known to the facilitator so we can provide some guidance for you. We have up to 30 minute silent sitting sessions, so some level of acclimation to stillness is helpful. Though we are secular, you'll find Buddhism, Vipassana, and mindfulness are common themes here. THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE AT HOLY TRINITY, 1218 ADDISON, CHICAGO, 2ND FLOOR, ST. MARK'S ROOM.
The evening will include silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, a reading and reflection with time to share with one another. Some times there is very accessible Qigong as a way to tune into the body.
Parking passes are available for the lot behind Missio Dei, 1242 Addison (the lot is accessed from the alley behind Missio Dei). 383 neighborhood parking passes are available for $1.
A NOTE ABOUT COVID SAFETY: Please be vaccinated as fully as the Illinois Department of Public Health allows. MASKING IS OPTIONAL. For more information on Covid safety practices for this group, please read here.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH, A HANDFUL OF US ARE MEETING AT 6PM FOR DINNER BEFORE MEDITATION! BRING A SANDWICH, SALAD OR WHATEVER YOU WISH AND JOIN US!
There is a $1 voluntary donation for the evening to help defray the cost of our rent at Holy Trinity.
Those who would like to join us by Zoom can join using the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89486909390?pwd=zitbdRiFgIB8sOmefmr1xbwDYzuP2G.1Meeting ID: 894 8690 9390
Passcode: 519383Please be on time and have your camera on. Late joiners will not be able to access the Zoom.
5 attendees
Returning to the Heart of Buddha's Teaching: Living the Four Noble Truths
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1218 W Addison St, Chicago, IL, USREGISTRATION FOR THIS DAY IS ON EVENTBRITE HERE!
Overview
Insight Chicago Meditation Community(ICMC) and Chicago Meditates Host this daylong retreat with Jan SheppardThe teachings of the Buddha are exactly what is needed for the challenges of life in a human body, in relationships, at work, and as a citizen of the country and the world. Each of the many brilliant lists he gave us deepens our understanding and opens our hearts to an end of suffering. But he gave us many lists, and sometimes we can ‘lose sight of the forest for the trees’ and forget that the most fundamental teachings are the foundation for all else in our practice. As Venerable Sāriputta taught, just as the footprints of all the animals in the forest fit into the footprint of the elephant, all of the Buddha’s teachings fit within the teaching of the Four Noble Truths. (Majjhima Nikaya 28). So, on this day of practice, we’ll reflect more deeply on what these Truths ask of us, and how to apply them to the challenges of our lives in practical, down-to-earth ways.
The day in Noble Silence will include sitting, walking, and standing meditation, Dhamma talks, chanting, time for questions and response, and mindful movement.
Tickets are $15. Your contribution will help to defray the cost of rent and other administrative expenses. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please contact us at the email below if you would like support.
Questions? Contact ICMC at events@insightchicago.org.
About Jan Sheppard
Jan Sheppard(Cittasubha) embodies quiet strength and wisdom rooted in deep practice and integrity. She is trained as a Community Dharma Leader through Spirit Rock Meditation Center and as a Lay Buddhist Minister in the Theravada Thai Forest tradition. With over two decades of experience in meditation, she holds a weekly meditation group and leads retreats that provide profound opportunities for inner growth. A founding member of the Wisconsin Prison Mindfulness Initiative, Jan offers mindfulness instruction, Buddhist services, and pastoral care in Wisconsin prisons.12 attendeesCHICAGO MEDITATES - 3/23 - Holy Trinity/Zoom
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1218 W Addison St, Chicago, IL, USEveryone is welcome to join our weekly meditation on Monday evening at 7:00pm. All levels of experience are welcome. If you are new to meditation, make that known to the facilitator so we can provide some guidance for you. We have up to 30 minute silent sitting sessions, so some level of acclimation to stillness is helpful. Though we are secular, you'll find Buddhism, Vipassana, and mindfulness are common themes here. THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE AT HOLY TRINITY, 1218 ADDISON, CHICAGO, 2ND FLOOR, ST. MARK'S ROOM.
The evening will include silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, a reading and reflection with time to share with one another. Some times there is very accessible Qigong as a way to tune into the body.
Parking passes are available for the lot behind Missio Dei, 1242 Addison (the lot is accessed from the alley behind Missio Dei). 383 neighborhood parking passes are available for $1.
A NOTE ABOUT COVID SAFETY: Please be vaccinated as fully as the Illinois Department of Public Health allows. MASKING IS OPTIONAL. For more information on Covid safety practices for this group, please read here.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH, A HANDFUL OF US ARE MEETING AT 6PM FOR DINNER BEFORE MEDITATION! BRING A SANDWICH, SALAD OR WHATEVER YOU WISH AND JOIN US!
There is a $1 voluntary donation for the evening to help defray the cost of our rent at Holy Trinity.
Those who would like to join us by Zoom can join using the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89486909390?pwd=zitbdRiFgIB8sOmefmr1xbwDYzuP2G.1Meeting ID: 894 8690 9390
Passcode: 519383Please be on time and have your camera on. Late joiners will not be able to access the Zoom.
4 attendees
Past events
1190
