How long have you been coming to MOI events? I started going to MOI around October of 2021. How did you get interested in meditation practice? I first got interested in meditation practice after reading ‘The Art of Zen’ by Alan Watts and started to get interested in the idea of learning more about my own mind. Share a memory or feeling you have about MOI. I went to the May 2022 retreat, and while getting ready to actually leave I felt suddenly panicked. I thought there was no way I could spend three days meditating (or three days separated from my regular daily life). At the retreat center I ..read more

Instructions: Place this extremely rich and delicious candy bar in your refrigerator. Each time the craving to nibble, eat, or taste the candy bar arises, gently say “No.” to the mind. Say “no” to the mind with tenderness and understanding. This is a “no” of lovingkindness. In the same way you might say “no” to a sweet little child who wants to play too close to a fire. It’s a guarding “no” of mature understanding and kindness. This is a simple practice of renunciation. Not a “no” motivated by aversion but a wise “no” that sees clearly craving in the mind. Allow the practice of saying “no” to ..read more

How long have you been coming to MOI events? I met Johnathan in 2014 and have been involved with MOI in one way or another ever since. How did you get interested in meditation practice? I saw a flyer for a class called Basic Mindfulness and was drawn in by a line on it that said “At the core of this practice is the relief of suffering.” Share a memory or feeling you have about MOI. One of my all-time favorite memories came at the end of an MOI class I was teaching with Anne at the Douglas County Correctional Center when one of the inmates dubbed us “the cucumber water of the jail.” What does ..read more

Recently, I volunteered to serve as the registrar for an online retreat. This role primarily involved keeping track of participant registrations. It also included responding to their emails if they had issues or questions. Every email I received was about offering donations (called dāna in Buddhism). So, for this month’s blog article, I thought I would share one of my responses when a retreatant asked for guidance in the practice of offering dāna.  ***** Greetings, You recently asked for some guidelines regarding how much to give for the upcoming retreat. This is what I can offer you: th ..read more

How would you answer if someone asked you to reflect on your practice?  What would come to mind?  Would you think about the time you spend in seated meditation?  Would you jump to judgement on how your practice isn’t what you want it to be, or how you could make improvements?  For newer practitioners, the focus is often on time spent in seated meditation practice. For us all, it takes time and dedication to cultivate the space and wisdom to accept everything as our practice.  When I think of practice,  I think of my own routine, ritual, or my daily sadhana.  ..read more

Dear friends and supporters of Mindfulness Outreach Initiative, As we come to the end of this year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and involvement in our mission to provide comprehensive meditation instruction and mindfulness training to as many people as possible. Your contributions have allowed us to reach new communities and offer a wide range of programs and resources to help people cultivate mindfulness in their daily lives. This year has been a challenging one for all of us, with high inflation and tighter financial conditions and the many stresses and uncer ..read more

Thanksgiving: Stuffing or mashed potatoes?  Pumpkin pie? Or perhaps a pause from work duties and a time to spend with loved ones. And traditionally, it is also a time for giving thanks.  Many of us reading this may agree that giving thanks, or acknowledging our gratitude is a practice we have learned to weave into every day and beyond this annual holiday.  In the spirit of the season, I would like to extend a warm letter of gratitude to our community. Dear MOI Sangha, I am grateful to be able to go to a place dedicated to meditation and the dharma.  The 1895 Victorian hous ..read more

Tanha; usually translated for the Pali as craving or desire.  Tanha is at the root of dukkha which is usually translated as suffering, this is the second Noble Truth that the Buddha discovered.  A more literal translation of tanha is “thirst”.  When desire becomes a motivation for our actions, thoughts, speech, then it is very much like we are thirsty for whatever the object of that desire may be.  It could be ice cream (a favorite of mine!), the desire to find the end of suffering or discontent, music, money, power, sex, intoxicants, the desire to be generous, kind, lovin ..read more

How long have you been coming to MOI events? I started going to MOI around October of 2021. How did you get interested in meditation practice? I first got interested in meditation practice after reading ‘The Art of Zen’ by Alan Watts and started to get interested in the idea of learning more about my own mind. Share a memory or feeling you have about MOI. I went to the May 2022 retreat, and while getting ready to actually leave I felt suddenly panicked. I thought there was no way I could spend three days meditating (or three days separated from my regular daily life). At the retreat center I ..read more

Instructions: Place this extremely rich and delicious candy bar in your refrigerator. Each time the craving to nibble, eat, or taste the candy bar arises, gently say “No.” to the mind. Say “no” to the mind with tenderness and understanding. This is a “no” of lovingkindness. In the same way you might say “no” to a sweet little child who wants to play too close to a fire. It’s a guarding “no” of mature understanding and kindness. This is a simple practice of renunciation. Not a “no” motivated by aversion but a wise “no” that sees clearly craving in the mind. Allow the practice of saying “no” to ..read more