You are welcome to join us at any of our sittings and do not need to contact us in advance. We have cushions, chairs, and some benches available. You can stay for all or part of the sitting. We look forward to meeting you. Please reach out to those listed on each sitting for more information or a Zoom link (if the Sangha meets on Zoom).
Times and Locations
All locations are accessible by public transportation. Please arrive five minutes before the meditation period starts so that everyone is comfortably seated before the bell is invited to formally begin the session.
Please note that most of our sittings have their own mailing lists, so you should inquire about those at the sitting.
REGULAR SITTINGS
| Newton – Dandelions of the Heart Sangha (DAILY) This is a mostly silent sit with a closing dharma reflection except on Thursday and Friday. Feel to drop in and sit for any part of that time. If interested, please email the organizer for more info or the zoom link. | Monday thru Friday 6:30am – 7:30am |
| Brookline – Peaceful Garden Sangha Use the Marion Street entrance (up the stairs to the Parlor on the left) Please email the organizer for information or to join our mailing list.  | Tuesday 7:00pm – 8:30pm |
Mindful Lunch (Eating Practice) If interested, please email the organizer for more info or the zoom link. | Wednesday 12:00pm – 12:45pm |
Roslindale – Peaceful Songbird Sangha The Peaceful Songbird Sangha gathers together on Saturday mornings (9:30-11 am). We meditate, check-in with one another, share a reading from a teacher of the dharma, and follow with dharma discussion, metta practice and a final meditation. We practice in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, with its emphasis on engaged Buddhism and the art of mindful living. We began meeting at Chua Vietnam, a beautiful Vietnamese temple in Roslindale, MA. We have been practicing online via zoom since March of 2020. Once a month we meet in person, dates depending on the schedule of the temple.All are welcome to join us. You can request the zoom link by emailing: PeacefulSongbird+owner@BostonOldPath.groups.io | Saturday 9:30am – 11:30am |
Peaceful Heart Sangha We meet weekly over zoom. All are welcome and no previous meditation experience is necessary. We rotate facilitation by volunteer who chooses a reading. We practice sitting, walking and dharma sharing in a welcoming, non judgmental confidential setting. Email the organizer for more information or a zoom link. | Friday 8:30am – 10am |
SPECIAL SITTINGS
Cambridge, Central Square – Wake Up Boston A mindfulness meditation community for 18-35-ish year olds practicing in the tradition of Plum Village Buddhism / Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. In a typical evening gathering, we’ll enjoy a guided sitting meditation, walking meditation, dharma reading, and dharma sharing about our experiences and practice in everyday life. We welcome people of all backgrounds regardless of faith or meditation experience. To learn more about us and get updates on our upcoming meetings, please visit: https://bostonwakeup.substack.com/about | 2nd and 4th Wednesday |
Living the 14 Sangha The 14 Mindfulness Trainings are the foundation of the Order of Interbeing and we are strengthening our commitment to them by looking deeply at a single training each week. We are open to OI members, OI Aspirants and pre-Aspirants. “Pre-Aspirants” includes anyone who would like to learn more about Thay’s teachings. Each week is a study in itself. You are welcome anytime, week to week. For more information please contact the sangha coordinator here. | Wednesday 7:30pm-9pm You are welcome for any portion of the time. |
Joyful Lotus Sangha The Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Sangha is a monthly gathering of self-identifying BIPOC practitioners that provides a safe place to meditate and explore contemplative practices. This sangha cultivates an environment that welcomes diverse voices and builds community. In a typical practice group, we enjoy a mix of walking meditation, sitting meditation, chanting, readings, and dharma sharing about our experiences and practice in everyday life. The upcoming practice schedule is located at: https://cambridgezen.org/weekly-announcements To learn more about our sangha, please e-mail kfoo (kfoo@wpi.edu) | First Wednesday of the month from 5-6:30 PM at the Cambridge Zen Center |
OTHER AREA SANGHAS IN THE PLUM VILLAGE TRADITION
Lotus Pond Sangha We meet every other week on Zoom to practice sitting and walking meditation, followed by dharma sharing We often read a short text to start dharma sharing to help us gather the mind and open the heart. We welcome everyone. Please email the organizer Magrit m.romang@ren.com | Thursday evenings, 7:15-9:00 pm |
Tree House Sangha In person, Carlisle Rd, Bedford. Please call or email: Frances Bigda-Peyton Fbigdapeyton@gmail.com (781-686-8498) | Meets 1st & 3rd Monday Mornings 8:30-10:00 |
Mountain Bell Sangha Hybrid format: in person personal residence Belmont and on Zoom Contact Larry Raffel at larryraffel@gmail.com or John Bell at jbellminder@gmail.com. | Meets 2nd and 4th Sundays 7-9 pm |
Green Fields Sangha Hybrid: First Parish Church, 4 Bedford Rd, Lincoln Center Ma and on Zoom, outdoor summer sittings Contact Joan Kimball selenejck@bostonoldpath | Meets Tuesday 4-5:30 pm |
Structure
Our regular sittings generally flow as follows:
- Sitting meditation (20 minutes)
- Walking meditation (10 minutes)
- Sitting meditation (20 minutes)
- Tea and snacks
- Dharma reading
- Dharma discussion
- Announcements + final brief sitting
All who practice with us are encouraged to lead a sitting from time to time. It is clear that we can benefit from the both the wisdom of seasoned practitioners, as well as those new to the practice who offer freshness and “beginner’s mind”.