In this ongoing, open, weekly 90-minute group, the stillness, spaciousness, and deep kindness always available to us are cultivated and then used as a base of operation for inquiring into and examining the nature of our thoughts and emotions, the experience of self, and our relationship with the world around us.  As we see ourselves and our world with greater clarity and wisdom, our anxiety, despair, and anger soften, and true compassionate action can be present.

As of August 15, 2024, we have begun an open-ended exploration and practice with the book Awakening Through Love, Unveiling Your Deepest Goodness by John Makransky. Makransky, a Buddhist scholar and practitioner in the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition, invites us to discover our True Nature through a series of powerful meditations and practices of loving-kindness and compassion, both for ourselves and for our world.

From the introduction: “This book is aimed at two audiences: (1) people, no matter their religious affiliation, who seek fresh access to the heart of spirituality and clear, concrete ways to realize the power of love and compassion; (2) people long practiced in Buddhist traditions, who seek to reconnect with the simplicity of practice in a fresh way, to revitalize and deepen their continuing life in the Dharma.”

Also from the introduction: “The path to embodying unconditional love and wisdom is not some overwhelmingly difficult struggle to make ourselves into something alien to our nature. Quite the opposite.  Unconditional love and wisdom dawn as we come home to what we most deeply are.”

The group is currently meeting in person (and on Zoom) at the Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, NC on Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30.  If you have questions, please contact Ken Lenington at 828-768-1143 (call or text) or email at kenlen108@gmail.com.

Open Circle Mindfulness is affiliated with Open Circle Mindfulness Raleigh: http://www.opencirclemindfulnessraleigh.org