What we’re about
We are the Melbourne River Sangha, a hybrid mindfulness and meditation community practising the teachings of the late Vietnamese Zen Master Venerable Thích Nhất Hạnh. Our community gathers online and in person to practise cultivating mindfulness and learning to apply it in our daily lives. Everyone is welcome to join us, whether you are new to mindfulness practice or have been on this path for years.
Our Offerings
We hold two regular practice sessions each week:
- Monday morning meditation at 6:00 AM Australian Eastern Time
- Tuesday evening practice session at 7:00 PM Australian Eastern Time
All of our practice sessions are offered virtually. In addition, the Sangha meets in Carlton fortnightly for the Tuesday evening session.
The agenda for our Tuesday evening sangha gathering rotates, but we always practice sitting meditation and dharma sharing. We also practice a variety of core mindfulness activities, including walking meditation, deep relaxation, recitation of the 5 Mindfulness Trainings, Touching the Earth, and dharma study. Please see the event postings for details about each week's agenda.
We occasionally offer other community events, such as Sangha dinners, Days of Mindfulness (1-day retreats), weekend retreats, and visiting the Plum Village Monastery located nearby in Porcupine Ridge.
Joining Our Community
Melbourne River Sangha is an inclusive community, and all are welcome.
To learn more about the Melbourne River Sangha or join our mailing list and receive weekly practice reminders, visit our website: https://www.melbourneriversangha.com.au
You can also find us on Facebook @MelbourneRiverSangha
Dana Paramita (Giving)
Giving (dana) is an essential practice of generating generosity, practising letting go, and developing our capacity to spread our compassion and love. Our practice sessions are offered freely, but if you would like to offer a financial contribution to support the sangha to continue beautifully into the future, then please do so using our bank details below. A suggested donation is $10 per practice session, but please give the amount that speaks to your own heart. No one is turned away for lack of funds.
Name: MELBOURNE RIVER SANGHA
BSB: 633000
Account number: 232117564
Contact
We can be reached at: breathe@melbourneriversangha.com.au
We look forward to practising with you,
Brother Mountain and the Melbourne River Sangha Caretaking Committee
![[IN PERSON] Community Dinner: Brother Bon Vegan Restaurant cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/c/8/e/event_529252366.webp "[IN PERSON] Community Dinner: Brother Bon Vegan Restaurant")
Dear community,
You are warmly invited to join us on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, for a community meal at Brother Bon vegan restaurant in Northcote. Community dinners are informal social gatherings and are a wonderful opportunity to connect more deeply with community members or to connect with us if you have never attended a practice session.
IMPORTANT: For this event, please RSVP through Eventbrite no later than 5:00 PM Monday 28 July, to ensure we can reserve an appropriately sized table. Click here to register.
Who
Anyone is welcome to join our community dinners. This includes newcomers interested in our sangha (even if you have never attended a practice session) as well as family members, friends, and loved ones.
Cost per plate: $18 to $33
Dietary restrictions: We choose vegetarian restaurants for our community dinners. If you have other dietary restrictions, please check the restaurant’s website or reach out to them directly if accommodations are needed.
RSVP
Please RSVP through Eventbrite no later than 5:00 PM Monday 28 July so that we can reserve an appropriately sized table for the group. Click here to register.
Please notify us as soon as possible if your availability changes and you are no longer able to attend.
Contact
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at breathe@melbourneriversangha.com.au
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- [ONLINE] Monday Morning Sitting MeditationLink visible for attendees
You are invited to join us for this virtual Monday morning sitting meditation. Please arrive a few minutes before 6:00 AM to give yourself time to get settled before the sitting meditation begins. Newcomers are welcome.
The Zoom Link is accessible on the right side of this page.
Zoom Password: breatheSession Agenda
- Sitting Meditation (may be silent or guided meditation)
Dana Paramita (Giving)
Giving (dana) is an essential practice of generating generosity, practising letting go, and developing our capacity to spread our compassion and love. Our practice sessions are offered freely, but if you would like to offer a financial contribution to support the sangha to continue beautifully into the future, then please do so using our bank details below. A suggested donation is $10 per practice session, but please give the amount that speaks to your own heart. No one is turned away for lack of funds.Name: MELBOURNE RIVER SANGHA
BSB: 633000
Account number: 232117564Sitting Meditation | Mindful Breathing
Mindfulness is always mindfulness of something. In sitting meditation, we practice mindful breathing, the most foundational mindfulness practice. In this simple, but deep, practice, we bring awareness to our in-breath as we are breathing in and to our out-breath as we are breathing out. We learn to feel our breath, either by becoming aware of it passing through our nostrils or by feeling the rise and fall of our belly. We do not control our breathing in any way; we practice simply being aware of it and relaxing any tension in our bodies. Following our breath, we come back to the present moment and arrive in our body here and now. Learn more about the practice of sitting meditation (YouTube Video).We look forward to practising with you.
Breathe and smile,
Melbourne River Sangha - [IN PERSON] Community Dinner: Brother Bon Vegan RestaurantBrother Bon - Your Local Vegan Restaurant in Northcote, Northcote
Dear community,
You are warmly invited to join us on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, for a community meal at Brother Bon vegan restaurant in Northcote. Community dinners are informal social gatherings and are a wonderful opportunity to connect more deeply with community members or to connect with us if you have never attended a practice session.
IMPORTANT: For this event, please RSVP through Eventbrite no later than 5:00 PM Monday 28 July, to ensure we can reserve an appropriately sized table. Click here to register.
Who
Anyone is welcome to join our community dinners. This includes newcomers interested in our sangha (even if you have never attended a practice session) as well as family members, friends, and loved ones.Cost per plate: $18 to $33
Dietary restrictions: We choose vegetarian restaurants for our community dinners. If you have other dietary restrictions, please check the restaurant’s website or reach out to them directly if accommodations are needed.
RSVP
Please RSVP through Eventbrite no later than 5:00 PM Monday 28 July so that we can reserve an appropriately sized table for the group. Click here to register.Please notify us as soon as possible if your availability changes and you are no longer able to attend.
Contact
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at breathe@melbourneriversangha.com.au - [ONLINE] Monday Morning Sitting MeditationLink visible for attendees
You are invited to join us for this virtual Monday morning sitting meditation. Please arrive a few minutes before 6:00 AM to give yourself time to get settled before the sitting meditation begins. Newcomers are welcome.
The Zoom Link is accessible on the right side of this page.
Zoom Password: breatheSession Agenda
- Sitting Meditation (may be silent or guided meditation)
Dana Paramita (Giving)
Giving (dana) is an essential practice of generating generosity, practising letting go, and developing our capacity to spread our compassion and love. Our practice sessions are offered freely, but if you would like to offer a financial contribution to support the sangha to continue beautifully into the future, then please do so using our bank details below. A suggested donation is $10 per practice session, but please give the amount that speaks to your own heart. No one is turned away for lack of funds.Name: MELBOURNE RIVER SANGHA
BSB: 633000
Account number: 232117564Sitting Meditation | Mindful Breathing
Mindfulness is always mindfulness of something. In sitting meditation, we practice mindful breathing, the most foundational mindfulness practice. In this simple, but deep, practice, we bring awareness to our in-breath as we are breathing in and to our out-breath as we are breathing out. We learn to feel our breath, either by becoming aware of it passing through our nostrils or by feeling the rise and fall of our belly. We do not control our breathing in any way; we practice simply being aware of it and relaxing any tension in our bodies. Following our breath, we come back to the present moment and arrive in our body here and now. Learn more about the practice of sitting meditation (YouTube Video).We look forward to practising with you.
Breathe and smile,
Melbourne River Sangha - [ONLINE] Tuesday Evening Practice Session: Dharma TalkLink visible for attendees
You are invited to join us for this Tuesday evening practice session online.
Session Agenda
- Sitting Meditation
- Dharma Talk
- Dharma Sharing
Virtual Session
6:55 PM to 8:30 PM AET (approximate)To support the feeling of togetherness and safety, please have your video on during the session.
The Zoom Link is accessible on the right side of this page.
Zoom Password: breatheNewcomers
If you will be joining us for the first time, we ask that you please arrive 15 minutes before the practice session (6:40 PM for virtual sessions) for a short orientation and welcome to our community. Please reach out to us at breathe@melbourneriversangha.com.au before the session to make arrangements.Dana Paramita (Giving)
Giving (dana) is an essential practice of generating generosity, practising letting go, and developing our capacity to spread our compassion and love. Our practice sessions are offered freely, but if you would like to offer a financial contribution to support the sangha to continue beautifully into the future, then please do so using our bank details below. A suggested donation is $10 per practice session, but please give the amount that speaks to your own heart. No one is turned away for lack of funds.Name: MELBOURNE RIVER SANGHA
BSB: 633000
Account number: 232117564This Week’s Practice: Dharma Talk
A dharma talk is a public talk given by a lay or monastic teacher that offers guidance along the path. Listening to dharma talks can provide inspiration for incorporating mindfulness practice into daily life. Learn about the art of listening to dharma talks.Core Practices
Sitting Meditation | Mindful Breathing
Mindfulness is always mindfulness of something. In sitting meditation, we practice mindful breathing, the most foundational mindfulness practice. In this simple, but deep, practice, we bring awareness to our in-breath as we are breathing in and to our out-breath as we are breathing out. We learn to feel our breath, either by becoming aware of it passing through our nostrils or by feeling the rise and fall of our belly. We do not control our breathing in any way; we practice simply being aware of it and relaxing any tension in our bodies. Following our breath, we come back to the present moment and arrive in our body here and now. Learn more about the practice of sitting meditation.Dharma Sharing
During dharma sharing, we come together as a community to share our experiences, joys and challenges, or our questions, insights, and experience of the practice. We share what is in our hearts rather than speaking about ideas or theoretical concepts. We also have the opportunity to practice deep listening while others are speaking. Dharma sharing is confidential. By sharing our experiences, we contribute to the collective insight and understanding of the sangha and begin to see our shared difficulties or aspirations and recognise our connections to each other. Learn more about the practice of Dharma sharing.Walking Meditation
Walking meditation allows us to practice arriving fully in the present moment. We focus completely on each step, becoming aware of our feet touching the ground and the flow of our breathing. As we walk, we harmonise our breathing with our steps in a natural way - taking 2 or 3 steps as we breathe in and 2 or 3 steps as we breathe out, depending on our natural rhythm and comfort. Through walking meditation, we release our thinking about the future, the past, our projects, and worries, and learn to become 100% present. Learn more about walking meditation.We look forward to practising with you.
Breathe and smile,
Melbourne River Sangha
![[ONLINE] Monday Morning Sitting Meditation cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/d/7/e/event_529095742.webp "[ONLINE] Monday Morning Sitting Meditation")
![[ONLINE] Tuesday Evening Practice Session: Dharma Talk cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/2/b/1/event_529097073.webp "[ONLINE] Tuesday Evening Practice Session: Dharma Talk")
