Greetings Everyone,

This Saturday, Ramesh Sairam is offering the first in a Series of Workshops on The Noble Eightfold Path: Right View. For more information about this workshop series visit the online calendar and to register for this first workshop visit the above link.

The next Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Course led by Mark Nunberg begins next Tuesday, January 15. There is still plenty of space so to register please visit the link.

Coming up the weekend of January 18, Santikaro will be at Common Ground offering a variety of programming. Santikaro is a wise teacher in our tradition and we hope many of you will be able to participate in at least one of his programs over the course of the weekend.

Looking ahead, Okogyeamon, Co-Founder and Co-Director of ASDIC (Anti-racism study, dialogue circle) will present a Guest Talk: Culture, Race, and the Dharma, through Subaltern (subordinated lower status) Eyes on Friday, January 25, no prior registration is needed for Guest Talks.

Peace,
Mary Beth McRaith
Office Volunteer

 

---

​

***

Mindful Self-Compassion Practice Group with Jean Haley and Jane Rauenhorst
Friday, January 11th, 7:00-8:30 pm

Noble Eightfold Path Workshop Series with Ramesh Sairam: Right View
Saturday, January 12th, 1:00-5:00 pm

Buddhist Studies with Mark Nunberg: Dependent Co-Arising
Eight Mondays, January 14 - March 4, 7:30 -9:00 p.m.
Optional Sitting Period 7:00-7:30 p.m.

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Mark Nunberg
Six Tuesdays, January 15 - February 19, 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Guest Talk with Santikaro: Styles of Meditation- Serving our Spiritual Needs
Friday, January 18, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Daylong Workshop with Santikaro: The Wonderful Diversity of Mindfulness
Saturday, January 19, 9:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Community Conversation with Santikaro: The Refuge of Compassion
Sunday, January 20, 1:00- 4:00 p.m.

Guest Talk with Okogyeamon: Culture, Race, and the Dharma, through Subaltern (one of a subordinated lower status or post) Eyes
Friday, January 25, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Upcoming Retreats
Half-Day Retreat with Mark Nunberg
Saturday, January 5th, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

February Residential Retreat: Tranquility and Insight led by Mark Nunberg and Shelly Graf
February 14- 18, 2019
Wait-list Only

Madison Insight Meditation Group Non-Residential Retreat (limited residential spots available) led by Mark Nunberg: The Middle Way: Seeing Clearly, Relating Wisely, and Releasing the Heart.
March 8-10, 2019 at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wisconsin
For more information or to register visit the above link.

Community News

Common Ground Women’s Community Group will gather this Thursday, 1/10/19 from 7:30 – 9 PM in the 
CG Community Room. Come join us as we move, meditate and reflect on our practice with each other. The theme for the evening will be Forgiveness Practice: A Doorway to Freedom. If you have a short reading or poem on the topic that you’d like to share, please bring it along. Let’s gather for an evening of sharing and inspiration for the path.
This is an open, drop-in group. No need to RSVP. 

Looking for Van Donation
If any community member has a van they'd be willing to donate to Common Ground, we would love to accept it for use in transporting supplies to our residential retreats. Contact gabe@commongroundmeditation.org. Thanks!

Looking for Early Bird Meditator on Saturdays
We're looking for a special someone who likes to rise early on Saturdays to lead the open meditation from 6:30-7:00 am. Contact gabe@commongroundmeditation.org if interested. Thanks!

Common Ground is Hosting an Antiracism Study and Dialogue Circle
Common Ground hosted one of ASDIC's circles as a training for leaders a couple of years ago. We were impressed with their program and found it very useful. As such, we decided to invite them to host a public circle using our space beginning in February. The dates are 10 Mondays, Feb 11-April 15, 9:15 am-1:15 pm, at Common Ground. This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen understanding around the roots of racism and the ways it is perpetuated, as well as how we can take steps to address and heal its suffering. If you're interested, please register through ASDIC using this link.

Winter is Here!!...Snowblowing Volunteers Wanted!
We could use a couple more snowblowing volunteers to take a shift or two. The way it works is you sign up for a certain shift, for example Tuesday AM, or Friday PM, and if it happens to snow that day, you're part of the team that cleans up the snow. We have a snowblower here. No special skills required; we'll train you and it can be fun! Thanks for considering serving the community in this important way. Let Rob Kohlmeyer know if you're interested: <rwkohlmeyer@yahoo.com> Thanks!

Prairie Farm Update
Renovations are in full swing at our retreat property in Wisconsin!
To see more pictures and video and to learn about how you can support the renovations through volunteering or donating, click here.

The January-April Newsletter digital version available here .