What we're about
Buddhism is ethical psychology and philosophy. Practice is pragmatic, that is, we have some 2500 years of literature to consult and study and guide our practice. We work with the mind by exploring concepts then seeing how these concepts play out when we watch the mind in meditation. Insight, of course, is both intellectual and "intuitive" - the latter what brings about structural change in how the mind works.
The main features of practice are mindfulness, concentration and insight. We train the mind to be mindful i.e. to focus on seeing clearly and completely the intended object. With mindfulness, sati, established, concentration or jhana appears; when jhana develops insight, vipassana appears.
Insight can start as intellectual insight; practice can lead to what the tradition calls “direct seeing,” seeing beyond the limitations of a self-centered consciousness.
The meetup is for us to build a study and practice group that can support our efforts to experience the benefits of Buddhism in our lives.
The teacher is Orlando Gustilo who began practicing in the Zen tradition in 1985 before attending a retreat with Ruth Denison at Insight Meditation Society in 1986. He studied with other teachers until he decided to study Theravadan literature on the suttas and abhidhamma. He started leading retreats some 10 years ago with Indianapolis Buddhist Meditation Retreats.
Teachings are from the foundational practice tradition of Theravada but will range through the whole development of Buddhism over the centuries - through Mahayana and Zen to American Buddhism.
Everyone is welcome. Subscription is recommended, $20 a month for 4 or 5 weekly sessions. The first visit to try out the group is free. After that, a $5 donation is requested per meetup if you don’t want to commit to regular weekly practice. Anyone who can’t afford the donation can contact the teacher/organizer.
Past participants wrote:
“It was helpful because I don’t have a group that I can meet with in person anymore. It was helpful as a spiritual re-charge.”
“Really thankful for the longer sits.”
"Thank you for guiding us and talking to us about becoming aware of the body and how to do mindful walking meditation.”
Upcoming events (4+)
Welcome to a weekly Buddhist meditation and practice group event, open to anyone interested in Buddhism, meditation or changing how they live that they may experience greater peacefulness and understanding of the workings of the mind.
At 7:00 pm, we begin to gather, introducing ourselves, sharing why we’re here and what we would like to do.
At 7:30 pm, we begin to meditate. If people need instruction or want to refresh their meditation practice, this shall be provided.
At 8:15 pm, we end meditation. People may leave or stay for a dharma talk and/or discussion of the practice and tradition.
You may bring your zabuton and zafu. Chairs will be provided. Please silence your phones during the event.
May we moment by moment bring peacefulness and understanding into our lives and the world.
- Orlando G.
- 1 attendee
Welcome to a weekly Buddhist meditation and practice group event, open to anyone interested in Buddhism, meditation or changing how they live that they may experience greater peacefulness and understanding of the workings of the mind.
At 7:00 pm, we begin to gather, introducing ourselves, sharing why we’re here and what we would like to do.
At 7:30 pm, we begin to meditate. If people need instruction or want to refresh their meditation practice, this shall be provided.
At 8:15 pm, we end meditation. People may leave or stay for a dharma talk and/or discussion of the practice and tradition.
You may bring your zabuton and zafu. Chairs will be provided. Please silence your phones during the event.
May we moment by moment bring peacefulness and understanding into our lives and the world.
- Orlando G.
- 1 attendee
You're invited to a day retreat for the study and practice of Buddhism. The schedule will include 2 components:
1. studying the theory of practice, in the vipassana Theravada tradition and the iconoclastic Zen tradition of direct pointing; deepening mindfulness and concentration and
2. alternating sitting and walking meditation.
The level of teaching shall be geared to whoever is participating, from beginner to more advanced.
Everyone is invited.
Please bring your own lunch. We won't be leaving the premises once the retreat starts. Chairs will be available. Please bring your cushions if you prefer to sit on the floor.
A nonrefundable registration fee of $15 is due upon arrival. Cash only please. This helps cover facility rental and supplies. It does not cover teacher fees.
A Dana basket will be available in the kendo. Traditionally, students give a voluntary donation for teachings that are considered beyond monetary value.
The teacher, Orlando Gustilo, has been practicing since 1985, first in Zen then, after sitting with Ruth Denison at Insight Meditation Society in 1986, in the Theravada tradition. Starting in the mid-1990s, he enmeshed himself in Abhidhamma study and, since 2011, has been leading residential retreats. He organized and taught at the Indianapolis Buddhist Meditation Retreats until COVID shut things down.
The retreat will be at the Benedict Inn Retreat Center with its gardens and wild areas, all of which will be available to participants.
- Orlando G.
- 1 attendee
Welcome to a weekly Buddhist meditation and practice group event, open to anyone interested in Buddhism, meditation or changing how they live that they may experience greater peacefulness and understanding of the workings of the mind.
At 7:00 pm, we begin to gather, introducing ourselves, sharing why we’re here and what we would like to do.
At 7:30 pm, we begin to meditate. If people need instruction or want to refresh their meditation practice, this shall be provided.
At 8:15 pm, we end meditation. People may leave or stay for a dharma talk and/or discussion of the practice and tradition.
You may bring your zabuton and zafu. Chairs will be provided. Please silence your phones during the event.
May we moment by moment bring peacefulness and understanding into our lives and the world.
- Orlando G.
- 1 attendee
Past events (897)
- Orlando G.
- LV S.
- 2 attendees
