LOTUS IN THE DESERT SANGHA OFFERS PRACTICE IN VIPASSANA (insight)
MEDITATION. VIPASSANA IS A PALI TERM THAT MEANS CLEAR SEEING. The
practice includes systematic mindfulness MEDITATION TECHNIQUES THAT
DIRECT OUR ATTENTION TO THE TRUE NATURE OF REALITY AND TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF PENETRATING INSIGHT AND WISDOM. New and experienced
meditators are equally welcome, as are one-time visitors. Weekly
meetings are held at the SAHARA WEST LIBRARY, 9600 West Sahara Avenue,
LAS VEGAS, Nevada 89117 Map
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=9600+w+sahara,+las+vegas,+nv&ie=UTF8&z=15&om=1&iwloc=addr]Meetings
are every Sunday afternoon, other than when the library is closed for
major holidays. You can also find our meetings and events on our
Meetup page [http://www.meetup.com/LITDSM].
3:45 - 4:15 pm: Mindful Movement
4:20 - 4:50 pm: Sitting MEDITATION
4:50 - 5:20 pm: Dharma Talk and Discussion
5:20 - 5:30 pm: Announcements and Closing
Participants may come for the whole meeting or any portion that fits
their schedule. Meditators can bring their own cushions or benches;
chairs are available in the room. There is no cost to attend. Those
new to Vipassana Meditation may want to read
Basic Meditation Instructions
[http://www.lotusinthedesert.org/meditation_instructions.html]
by Sayadaw U Pandita as an example of how to enter this meditative
path.
Vipassana Meditation The core teachings behind Vipassana Meditation go
back to the ancient Theravadan Buddhist traditions of 2,500 years ago
and revolve around seeing things just as they are. Through systematic
training in meditation, we create a space that allows us to see
ourselves and our circumstances with clarity and wisdom. Meditators
typically start by focusing on their breath. As they become more
experienced, they begin to allow their attention to rest on other
bodily sensations, or on the presence of emotions or thoughts. Though
the practice of meditation is simple within itself, it builds into a
powerful tool for learning to be present and engaged through the
inevitable ups and downs in life.
The Vipassana practices direct our attention to the realization of
insight through contemplation and investigation of three specific
characteristics:
1. Anicca: The impermanence or changing nature of things.
2. Dukkha: The unsatisfactory or unreliable nature of things.
3. Anatta: The emptiness of all conditioned things.
In Vipassana Meditation, we focus our awareness on the ever-changing
present moment. Through seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching
and thinking, we cultivate the capacity to perceive the truth of
anicca, dukkha and anatta in all experience. This practice helps
develop wisdom and compassion, giving rise to greater peace and
happiness.
Non-residential weekend retreats are scheduled biannually. They are
generally held in the spring and fall on a Friday night and all day
Saturday and Sunday. An experienced Vipassana teacher is brought in to
lead each retreat. These retreats are a valuable yet inexpensive tool
to help deepen one s meditation practice. They also serve as an
excellent introduction for beginners new to meditation.
Click here for information on our next retreat
[http://www.lotusinthedesert.org/retreat.html]
Our History Lotus in the Desert Sangha began meeting in 1996 to offer
support for people interested in furthering their meditation practice.
Originally, teachings for the Sangha came from a wide variety of
Buddhist and non-Buddhist traditions. However, over time, Sangha
members became interested primarily in the traditional Vipassana
practice as offered by the two major Vipassana retreat centers in the
United States: Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts and Spirit
Rock in California. Other than for retreats, fees have never been
charged for Sangha activities. Rather, Sangha expenses are paid for
through dana (donation).
Now in its second decade, Lotus in the Desert has developed a mentor
relationship with Spirit Rock teacher Richard Shankman, who leads one
of our two weekend retreats each year. The weekly meditation meetings
are led by experienced Sangha members under his guidance. The Sangha
has developed a library of meditation tapes and books which members
may borrow at no charge. An email newsletter, The Sangha Linette,
keeps members updated concerning activities of both the sangha and
other groups of interest.
For more information, please contact US at: Contact page
[http://www.lotusinthedesert.org/contact.html]
culture
yoga
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21/09/2021 Last update