
What we’re about
Once the Buddha began to share his teachings with the rest of the World, he never instructed anyone to accept those teachings blindly. Instead he encouraged students to test his findings for themselves in order to develop their own experience of the practice. Our community attempts to operate with that same spirit of openness and respect.
You are cordially invited to join us as we sit, stand and walk in meditation, practicing simply for the sake of practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome so, regardless of whether you're embarking on or continuing your journey inward, we would be most honored by your presence. This is a non-denominational group. However, even though many of us do not have a label for our spirituality, we do primarily practice methods which have been handed down by the Buddha. Nevertheless, no matter what path you follow, it is our intention to provide you with a safe and non-judgmental environment for internal exploration, one where all attendees feel comfortable and at ease.
It is the further intention of this group to help its members identify areas where suffering (feelings of stress and dissatisfaction) may exist and to help them learn how to change their relationship with those feelings in order to cultivate deep inner peace. We envision this group being an interactive community where authentic personal connections are made as we share and learn together from the combined insights of all who attend. The eventual development of our collective wisdom should also help us to better assist one another on our respective paths. Ideally we must remember that, despite our wishes to the contrary, growth happens at its own natural pace. Thus it will be quite important to be patient, be gentle with ourselves and be supportive of our fellow practitioners in order to nurture these intentions in a beneficial way.
Event details vary from sitting to sitting and will be posted on each individual event page. Generally, we will practice these forms of meditation: Samatha (Tranquility / Calming the mind and body through one pointedness), Anapanasati (Mindfulness of the breath), Vipassana (Clear seeing / Insight), Metta (Loving-Friendliness / Kindness) and Tonglen (Exchanging self with others / Compassion).
A voluntary donation to help offset expenses would be most appreciated but is by no means expected. As causes and conditions permit, we look forward to sharing energy and insights with all who choose to be present.
With Metta, Mark Z
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Thaypassana Retreat - Healing Hearts In Trouble TimesSiena Retreat Center, Racine, WI
PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION WITH THIS ONLINE FORM. BE PREPARED TO SUBMIT YOUR REGISTRATION FEE VIA ZELLE TO KEVIN KUHN, OUR REGISTRAR AT kkuhn3886@gmail.com TO ENSURE YOUR SPOT AT THE RETREAT.
Join us for a four day residential Thaypassana retreat with Janice Cittasubha Sheppard and David Haskin at the beautiful Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI, September 18-21, 2025.
The human heart is sometimes fragile, sometimes as strong as steel, sometimes broken and sometimes remarkably resilient. Similarly, the world is sometimes conflict-ridden and troubled, and at other times cooperative, empathetic, and joyful.
The Four Brahma Viharas, (also known as the Divine Abodes and Sublime Abidings) of Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity are the profound, and also normal emotional states we can cultivate and practice to feel whole and to give our hearts the space and nourishment needed to heal, to be open and to be at peace.
Please join us for a four-day “Thaypassana” retreat in which we will look deeply at, and practice, the Divine Abodes. Thaypassana is a form of retreat, begun 15 years ago, that blends the engaged practices of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the Theravada Insight traditions. It is designed to be comfortable for anyone who wants to deepen their practice of mindfulness and the Buddha’s teachings.
The retreat will be conducted in Noble Silence except during Q&A or interview groups.
Fees include all meals Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch, lodging, private baths, towels and the meeting rooms. (Thursday dinner is on your own.) Coffee/tea are available throughout the weekend. All meals will be vegetarian.
The retreat will begin on Thursday at 7 pm and conclude at 3PM on Sunday.
Location: Siena Retreat Center, 5637 Erie Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53402.
Parking is free and plentiful.Retreat fees: $470.00 single occupancy, $420.00 double occupancy, $210.00 commuter (meals/retreat only)
PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION WITH THIS ONLINE FORM. BE PREPARED TO SUBMIT YOUR REGISTRATION FEE VIA ZELLE TO KEVIN KUHN, OUR REGISTRAR AT kkuhn3886@gmail.com TO ENSURE YOUR SPOT AT THE RETREAT.
If you would like a flyer to view, download, or print, go here.
For more information, feel free to contact Steve Starr at 847-644-2389 or stephenbstarr@gmail.com.