Starting a sitting group this morning

[Ankai]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

Many years ago, when I migrated for the first time, one of my first Buddhist teachers said - if you can't find a group where you are going, you just start one, no problem! I think I am growing towards taking that kind of responsibility. I wish I had a garage that I could turn into a zendo though

Years back when I was starting the one here, I had NO idea what I was doing, and Jundo helped me come up with the format and how to do it... it couldn't be easier. Bring your laptop, play a "Sit-A-Long," and then sit. You don't even need a bell- it's ON the video! Too easy! And if the power goes out of the computer decides not to cooperate, JUST SIT. Can't be easier! Keep track of sitters, network a little, it runs itself.

[Amelia]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

It isn't a Zen sangha per se, because people of all traditions who are interested in meditation are welcome to come and practice their tradition as they like. But I guess it will start with more of a Zenny focus since that's where I'm coming from.

Does anyone else have any advice for starting a meditation group?

Start out by getting in a fight over whether you should meditate with eyes open or closed, lol.

I'm very kidding... It seems like you have a great opportunity to see and discuss many different types of meditation. There probably shouldn't be a focus on any one of them, but that is just my opinion.

Edit: I just realized that I am responding to a very old post!

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

This is very interesting. I am trying to keep a small sangha alive here. We used to have 3 sittings per month for about 1.5 years, but suddenly the senior student who was running it could not continue in this format for personal reasons. He cancelled the rented venue and that was it.... We will take it up again in Feb 2011 with monthly sittings at his home. In the meantime, I invited the group to sit at my house for Rohatsu (one person came) and end of December (will see how that one is received). Space in my house is limited and not ideal, so I am calling it an experiment...

Several yoga studios in town have meditation sessions on the weekend. I can see how that would be an ideal solution for space and finding interested folks.

I offered an intro to meditation at the UU congregration last year. I think some people fromt the congregation would be interested to learn more, but maybe more in a discussion group than a meditation group...

Many years ago, when I migrated for the first time, one of my first Buddhist teachers said - if you can't find a group where you are going, you just start one, no problem! I think I am growing towards taking that kind of responsibility. I wish I had a garage that I could turn into a zendo though

[Ankai]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

Hey- I've started two groups serving as a facilitator, using Jundo's "Sit-A-Longs" for teaching and instruction... one at a Unitarian Church, one in the Army. I have some direct experience with exactly what it sounds like you're doing. Taigu's advice is above all the most important... KEEP GOING, no matter what... they will come. To that the only thing I'd add, don't deviate from what you're setting out to do. Let the teaching be the teaching, the sitting be the sitting. Keep in contact with sitters, make sure upcoming stuff is known to all, and remember, in the course of being the person putting it together, that YOU need to sit too. (That part gets real easy to forget when you find yourself "in charge."
Please let me know if I can offer anything useful, and congratulations!

[Myozan Kodo]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

Good luck with your group. A great thing to do.
Gassho,
Soen

[Sloppy_Zen]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

Just curious -

It's been awhile since your original post. How is the sitting group going?

-Jim

[Taigu]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

Gassho, Rowan!

I love the big bell too...

In fact that would be the only thing I would keep if I had to ditch everything else.

Take care


Taigu

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

hi shinkai,

Having a bit of experience in this, i would say only a couple of things: keep it going even if you end up alone and keep it simple, let it grow naturally, organicaly, without adding flavour and style, or using gimmicks, wood something or whatever.Wooden clappers are very noisy, too sharp, they go very well in a big space and with a Japanese style of practice. Sorry, if I somehow disagree with our beloved Rowan ( I am sure we always agree in the most essential way). Be simple. Things unfold as they always do, make just sitting the teacher. Maybe even not a statue. Or, as Jundo did in the past, not just a statue(anything, really). And if possible don't forget bowing. That's all. Bring your rakusu and allow things to happen from that simplicity.

Much ...

Gassho


Taigu

Gassho Taigu Sensei!

Thank you for your post. I hadn't thought about the harshness of the clapper sound! But you are so correct. I was just thinking of "how everybody does it". But a little gentle sound or cue is better.

gassho,
rowan
who still wants a big bowl bell.............nice low tone....... maybe try cutting a tank......

[chicanobudista]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

Unfortunately, our local UU is not as open to having non-members meet there regularly. They charge for use, which is understandable, and they made it clear that they prefer members only to use the facilities unless they are invited by the church. The space we found is in a building near the Spokane falls, a decent sized 2 room office suite, and rent+utilities is only $140 a month.

That is nice! Not bad pricing. Which reminds me that we should also look for something similar around here. :wink:

[Jen]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

Just a suggestion and maybe you have already mentioned this. My local group meets at the UUA Fellowship of Hidalgo County (Texas). I know a good number of zen groups that meet at Unitarian Universalist Association buildings*. From your profile, you live in Spokane, WA. There happens to be a UUA group in your area:
Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane. You may want to check and see if they have space.

* Heck..we even have a UU Buddhist Fellowship. :mrgreen:

Unfortunately, our local UU is not as open to having non-members meet there regularly. They charge for use, which is understandable, and they made it clear that they prefer members only to use the facilities unless they are invited by the church. The space we found is in a building near the Spokane falls, a decent sized 2 room office suite, and rent+utilities is only $140 a month.

[chicanobudista]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

How wonderful, Shinkai!
We have found finding a practice space to be the most challenging aspect of getting our group off the ground. We were limited to only being allowed to use the local libraries twice a month, and the space was getting to be too small.

Just a suggestion and maybe you have already mentioned this. My local group meets at the UUA Fellowship of Hidalgo County (Texas). I know a good number of zen groups that meet at Unitarian Universalist Association buildings*. From your profile, you live in Spokane, WA. There happens to be a UUA group in your area:
Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane. You may want to check and see if they have space.

* Heck..we even have a UU Buddhist Fellowship. :mrgreen:

[Tb]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

Hi.

I would agree with Taigu, keep it simple.
It seems that people coming to these things expect certain things, such as bells and stuff, maybe an buddha statue.
But keep it simple.
Let it take it's stride.

Mtfbwy
Tb

[Taigu]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

hi shinkai,

Having a bit of experience in this, i would say only a couple of things: keep it going even if you end up alone and keep it simple, let it grow naturally, organicaly, without adding flavour and style, or using gimmicks, wood something or whatever.Wooden clappers are very noisy, too sharp, they go very well in a big space and with a Japanese style of practice. Sorry, if I somehow disagree with our beloved Rowan ( I am sure we always agree in the most essential way). Be simple. Things unfold as they always do, make just sitting the teacher. Maybe even not a statue. Or, as Jundo did in the past, not just a statue(anything, really). And if possible don't forget bowing. That's all. Bring your rakusu and allow things to happen from that simplicity.

Much ...

Gassho


Taigu

[Al]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

I can definitely see how space would be an issue. We're using the large room in my local yoga studio. The instructors volunteered the space free of charge. I worked with them to pick a time when they wouldn't be using the space for anything else. They were happy to provide the space just to get the energy of meditation going at the studio and to start building a community. Several of the meditators also take classes at the studio.

I would really recommend reaching out to any locally owned yoga or pilates studios and see if they or their students would be interested in having a meditation group.

Here's a picture:

[Jen]

Re: Starting a sitting group this morning

How wonderful, Shinkai!

Excellent!! Very nice news
What kind of space are you using to do this?

Gassho Mr. Nosey (aka Shohei)

We have found finding a practice space to be the most challenging aspect of getting our group off the ground. We were limited to only being allowed to use the local libraries twice a month, and the space was getting to be too small. Also no kinhin, as the library does not allow the rooms to be used for exercise classes and they considered that exercise. We are in the process of renting an office suite to use now that we found an inexpensive one.

Gassho,
Joshin