GREETINGS
Welcome to the Meditation Circle site. This longtime Buddhist-oriented meditation group based at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 520 Kanawha Boulevard W., in Charleston, West Virginia, will be closing down its meetings for good effective with the end of June 2022, after a good run. See the ‘RESOURCES’ page for tips on setting up or deepening meditation practice. Be well!
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Tag Archives: Meditation
Meditation as happy opportunity
“The key to maintaining your inspiration in the day-to-day work of meditation practice is to approach it as play—a happy opportunity to master practical skills, to raise questions, experiment, and explore.” ~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu, from “The Joy of Effort” (read … Continue reading
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Sitting in the stream
“Meditation is not just a rest or retreat from the turmoil of the stream or the impurity of the world. It is a way of being the stream, so that one can be at home in both the white water … Continue reading
The best way to deal with excessive thinking
“The best way to deal with excessive thinking is to just listen to it, to listen to the mind. Listening is much more effective than trying to stop thought or cut it off.” ~ Ajahn Amaro, from “Thought Like Dreams” … Continue reading
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Why is it so difficult to maintain a steady practice?
“Now if the practice is so good for us, why is it so difficult to maintain a steady practice? It may be that the notion that practice is ‘good for us’ is the very impediment—we all know how we can … Continue reading
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Where is that Place of True Security?
“When we can be secure in our inner source for true happiness, we don’t expose ourselves to the devastation that comes when outside hopes for happiness and security are dashed. We have our shelter, our place of security, inside. And … Continue reading
Meditation will not carry you to another world
“Meditation will not carry you to another world, but it will reveal the most profound and awesome dimensions of the world in which you already live. Calmly contemplating these dimensions and bringing them into the service of compassion and kindness … Continue reading
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Guided meditations on the Anapanasati teachings on meditation
The Meditation Circle has been discussing “Getting to Know the Breath” as its theme for 2012. To that end, we have referred several times to the Anapanasati Sutta in which the Buddha describes the practice of breath-centered meditation. (Find a … Continue reading
Excerpt: Breathing Life into the Suttas
Except from the article “From Thought to Stillness: Breathing Life Into the Suttas,” by Rodney Smith | TRICYCLE, Winter 2012 | Read the whole article by becoming a Tricycle online member By Rodney Smith | Tricycle Winter 2012 |The constant … Continue reading
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It’s Meditation Month at Tricycle.com
For many people who desire to learn meditation, it’s a struggle. Having a community of fellow practicioners can be essential, which is why sitting groups like the Meditation Circle of Charleston can be helpful. Yet it’s also highly helpful in … Continue reading
Links to the Buddha’s teachings on breath-centered meditation
“Getting to Know the Breath” is the ongoing theme for 2012 we’ll be considering in the weekly 6 p.m. Tuesday gatherings of the Meditation Circle of Charleston at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation building in Charleston, W.Va. In past weeks. Thad … Continue reading
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Video: On Trying too hard to meditate
Bhikku Piyadhammo, a monk friend who resided recently at the Bhavana Society, told me about a rich collection of Buddhist-themed videos that he maintains on a YouTube channel called “Dhammatube.” The channel, which features pithy short videos on useful topics … Continue reading
Introduction to Meditation Retreat, June 24-29, 2011
We’ve had a lot of new faces recently at The Meditation Circle, including many folks new to Buddhist meditation practice. If you’re a newcomer with a strong interest in deepening your practice, we highly recommend you check out the Introduction … Continue reading
Dhamma talk: Introduction to breath meditation
Listen to a wonderful Dhamma talk introducing breath meditation by Bhante Sujato, of Santi Forest Monastery in Bundanoon, Sydney in Australia’s Southern Highlands. Continue reading
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“Meditation is not easy…” | Reading Selection for Dec. 15 Meditation Circle gathering
HERE IS THE READING SELECTION for the Dec. 15 meeting of the Meditation Circle of Charleston, an excerpt from Chapter 1 of “Mindfulness in Plain English” by Bhante Gunaratana, which can be read in its entirety for free online or … Continue reading
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Article: Measuring meditation’s effects
Science is catching up to what meditation masters have taught for a long, long while: For thousands of years, Buddhist meditators have claimed that the simple act of sitting down and following their breath while letting go of intrusive thoughts … Continue reading
