What we’re about
Once the Buddha began to share his teachings with the rest of the World, he never instructed anyone to accept those teachings blindly. Instead he encouraged students to test his findings for themselves in order to develop their own experience of the practice. Our community attempts to operate with that same spirit of openness and respect.
You are cordially invited to join us as we sit, stand and walk in meditation, practicing simply for the sake of practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome so, regardless of whether you're embarking on or continuing your journey inward, we would be most honored by your presence. This is a non-denominational group. However, even though many of us do not have a label for our spirituality, we do primarily practice methods which have been handed down by the Buddha. Nevertheless, no matter what path you follow, it is our intention to provide you with a safe and non-judgmental environment for internal exploration, one where all attendees feel comfortable and at ease.
It is the further intention of this group to help its members identify areas where suffering (feelings of stress and dissatisfaction) may exist and to help them learn how to change their relationship with those feelings in order to cultivate deep inner peace. We envision this group being an interactive community where authentic personal connections are made as we share and learn together from the combined insights of all who attend. The eventual development of our collective wisdom should also help us to better assist one another on our respective paths. Ideally we must remember that, despite our wishes to the contrary, growth happens at its own natural pace. Thus it will be quite important to be patient, be gentle with ourselves and be supportive of our fellow practitioners in order to nurture these intentions in a beneficial way.
Event details vary from sitting to sitting and will be posted on each individual event page. Generally, we will practice these forms of meditation: Samatha (Tranquility / Calming the mind and body through one pointedness), Anapanasati (Mindfulness of the breath), Vipassana (Clear seeing / Insight), Metta (Loving-Friendliness / Kindness) and Tonglen (Exchanging self with others / Compassion).
A voluntary donation to help offset expenses would be most appreciated but is by no means expected. As causes and conditions permit, we look forward to sharing energy and insights with all who choose to be present.
With Metta, Mark Z
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Mindful MenLiving Retreat – The Path to Conscious LivingRetreat Center at Cedar Valley, west bend, WI
Please note: in order to secure your place for this retreat you must register by way of the link at the end of this summary. Your RSVP here will only declare your intention to attend.
Too often, we go through life on autopilot, automatically reacting to people and events around us instead of responding mindfully, consciously to life as it is. Learning to live consciously is both the first of MenLiving's Five Suggestions and the great benefit of the ancient practice of Mindfulness. Please join us for the next Mindful MenLiving retreat in which we will focus on the deep, quiet introspection of meditation and Mindfulness as we walk the path to living more consciously as men.
Please join us as we continue to evolve the combination of Mindful Man, "Mindful MenLiving" A new iteration of Mindful Man of the past and MenLiving, a unique men’s organization whose vision is a world of healthy, intentional, connected men. During this weekend retreat, we will explore how Mindfulness helps us shine the light of awareness both on the forces that have shaped us as men and how those forces live on within us to this day. Only when we do that can we begin to let go of the hurtful parts of the past that can bind us to those beliefs.
As always, we will explore our topic by practicing mindful meditation and movement in a caring, safe, and supportive environment conducted largely in noble silence. In addition, Tony Schmidt will bring his experience as a facilitator and organizer in MenLiving to incorporate processes that support connection, healing, and growth as men in our modern society. We will conclude each evening with a men’s circle to share experiences. Throughout the weekend, we will include other facilitated processes that encourage authentic self-reflection and connection in alignment with MenLiving's 5 suggestions for living fully.
This retreat is appropriate both for men who are new to Mindfulness and meditation and for experienced practitioners.
Learn More (external link) and register by visiting https://menliving.org/event-calendar/mindful-menliving-retreat-dec-2024/
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