A Community of Mindful Living in the Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in Helena, Montana.
We have some online and some in-person Tuesday evening meditation and programs. Check back here for updated information for each session to find out where to meet and what safety precautions we ask everyone to undertake to keep our community members safe. Starting June 2024, we will switch back to all in-person gatherings.
If you are interested in joining our on-line practice group, please email us at flowingmountains@gmail.com for the zoom link. Our in-person Zendo is at 15 W. Placer Street (see map below).
Beginners are always welcome. Please join a little early if you would like to ask some questions.
Programming Schedule:
April and May 2024
Tuesday April 23 Online – 5 mindfulness trainings
Tuesday April 30 in person - Mother Earth Entrusts Herself to Us
Tuesday May 7 in person – Beginner's Mind (come with your questions and/or open mind!)
Tuesday May 14 Online – book study “At Home In The World”
Tuesday May 21 in person – Caring for Our Skandhas - Feelings and Mental Formations
Tuesday May 28 Online – 5 mindfulness trainings
Special Sunday Program: Sunday April 21. Deepening Our Care for the Earth: Meditation and Practice of Touching the Earth. 10 am at the Zendo.
Information for online meetings: Meditation and program runs from 6:30 to 7:45. Please join from 6:15 to 6:30 for social interaction, technical assistance, or if you are new to our practice and could use a little guidance on our practice style. If you are interested in joining our on-line practice group, please email us at flowingmountains@gmail.com for the zoom link.
Information for in person meetings in the Zendo at 15 W. Placer (in the Community Yoga space)
Moving meditation begins at 6:30, followed by 20 minutes still meditation, another 10 minute movement meditation, and 20 minutes still meditation. You are invited to join the entire hour, or you can join in at any point during the movement meditations. There will be a few extra cushions put out in case you want to join at 7:00. Please quietly wait in the coat area until movement meditation commences, and then simply join the flow. Programming, for those who wish to stay, will run from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. We have chairs and pads with cushions at the Zendo space.
Discussion Guidelines
~ We are invited to practice deep listening and loving mindful speech.
~ We speak from the heart about topics that emanate from our life and practice and avoid theoretical discussions. Using “I” statements helps us to speak from our own experience.
~ When you wish to speak, bow in and say your name; when finished bow out.
~ All that is shared stays within the circle; later if we want to talk with someone about what they shared, we ask their permission.
~ We refrain from speaking a second time until it appears all have had a chance to speak.
~ We avoid giving advice.
~ We share with the whole circle and avoid cross talk.
~ We are encouraged to speak mindfully – not too much and not too little, in accordance with the number of participants.
Safety For In-Person Meetings: We no longer require everyone to wear a mask for in-person meetings. We do ask you to please continue to 1) Care for yourself and 2) Care for others.
Do not attend in-person meetings if you feel ill.
Bring and wear a mask if you feel more comfortable in a group setting with a mask on.
Care for yourself by speaking up if someone is too close for your comfort.
Dana/Donations
Meditation and discussions are offered freely. Your donations will also help keep a roof over our heads and cushions under our bottoms when the pandemic is over, and a zoom account whilst we must meet remotely. Thank you for your acts of generosity and community.
Monthly or one-time gifts can be made by:
clicking the donate button above to use paypal
contacting flowingmountains@gmail.com to set up automatic electronic (ACH) transfers from your bank account (no fee charged and you are always in control)
sending a check to Flowing Mountains, PO Box 1466, Helena, MT 59624
Interested in Engaged Buddhism?
Human society throughout the ages has faced challenges, and the current moment is no different. During the 1960s war in Thich Nhat Hanh's native Vietnam, he worked for reconciliation among all the warring parties and called this practice "engaged Buddhism." The practice has continued and is sometimes referred to as "Applied Buddhism" which means our practice on the cushion can be applied in every situation, to manifest understanding and solutions. If you feel called to couple your spirituality and social activism, we invite you to check out these resources:
Article from Deer Park Monastery: Engaged Buddhism: Bridging Spirituality and Social Activism for Lasting Change
Article from Plum Village: Mindfulness, Suffering, and Engaged Buddhism
Books by Thich Nhat Hanh: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet and The World We Have
Video posted by Deer Park Monastery: Stories of Social Change, Spirituality in Action
Flowing Mountains Sangha
Online meetings and some in-person meetings
15 W. Placer Ave
Helena, MT 59624
Contact Flowing Mountains Sangha
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