Lotus blossom

Open Way is part of a world-wide network of communities inspired by the teachings and practices of Thich Nhat Hanh, a widely-known Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author and activist.

Join us for weekly mindfulness practice at our center in Missoula, Montana and for retreats and special events throughout the year.

Weekly programs

Tuesday night meditation sitting and Dharma practice

Tuesdays 7pm sharp – 9pm

Our Traditional Sangha meeting. From 6:30 p.m. until meditation starts, tea and conversation are available in the library/kitchen area. Sometimes a class will be held which starts earlier. You may bring your own sitting cushion or bench to meditation or use one of the cushions or chairs available at the Center.

Be Here Now

Mondays 7:30pm – 9:00pm

An alternative format to the Tuesday night sittings. We begin with sitting meditation, then walking meditation, a group reading, a sharing circle, and closes with a gratitude and healing/remembrance circle.

Seasonal Practice Theme

The Practice Theme for Winter is “Going Inside, Creativity and Rest.” Each season, Open Way is looking at a new theme related to the energy and natural cycle of our environment. Spring was a time of “Beginning Anew”, in summer we examined “Right Action”, and Fall's theme was "Celebrating Abundance, Tending the Seeds."


See the complete calendar

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"Many Hands" – gratitude song before meals


2:06 minutes (3.64 MB)
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At the Open Way Fall 2009 Retreat, our guest teacher Michael Ciborski taught us Jody Kessler's song "Many Hands", which we sang before meals as an alternative to reciting the Five Contemplations. I was really taken with this song – for me it opened up a new doorway on the practice of gratitude. So I committed to learning the song the best I could, writing down the lyrics, and helping lead the group singing at those meals where Michael didn't join us. Read more »

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