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.”