The only reason to study the Dharma is to put it into practice.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Rainbow Circle will begin meeting at the Neighborhood House Community Center on January 11, 2024. Learn more about upcoming events by joining our email list or viewing the calendar below.
Join us for an evening dedicated to community building, as well as breath and walking meditation. Meditators of all experience levels, new and seasoned, are welcome. A circle of chairs will be provided for the meditation session.
Agenda:
- Welcome and personal introductions.
- Basic instructions for breath meditation.
- Inviting the bell.
- Breath meditation (20 minutes).
- Basic instructions for walking meditation.
- Walking meditation (20 minutes).
- Tea meditation (10 minutes).
Join us for an afternoon of community building and forest bathing at the UW-Madison Arboretum, engaging in the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, also known as ‘forest bathing’ or ‘taking in the forest atmosphere.’ This practice also resonates with the Druid reverence for trees. We’ll take time to immerse ourselves in the forest, engaging all our senses — sound, sight, smell, touch, and taste.
Agenda:
- Welcome and personal introductions.
- Basic instructions for bringing attention to the sense gates.
- Sound in the forest (10 minutes).
- Sight in the forest (10 minutes).
- Smell in the forest (10 minutes).
- Touch in the forest (10 minutes).
- Taste in the forest (10 minutes).
Join us for an evening of community building, love meditation, and dharma sharing. Meditators of all experience levels, new and seasoned, are welcome. A circle of chairs will be provided for the meditation and sharing session.
Agenda:
- Welcome and personal introductions.
- Basic instructions for love meditation.
- Inviting the bell.
- Love meditation (20 minutes).
- Dharma sharing (40 minutes).
- Tangerine meditation (10 minutes).
In commenting on the Anapanasati Sutta, Thich Nhat Hanh says, ‘I was so happy the day I discovered this sutra. I thought I had discovered the greatest treasure in the world. Before, I was content simply gaining knowledge. I didn’t know how to enjoy the present moment, look deeply into my life, or enjoy the positive conditions all around me.’ He goes on to say, ‘These are the sutras to keep under your pillow, always with you.’
Beginning Feb. 1, 2024, on the first Thursday of each month, we will unearth the treasures within the Anapanasati Sutta by discussing the commentaries by Thich Nhat Hanh in ‘Awakening of the Heart: Essential Buddhist Sutras and Commentaries.’