Staying Connected

Sangha Practice Groups + Meetings with Teachers & Seniors

Sangha Practice Groups

Six consecutive Mondays, beginning July 13, 4pm – 5:30pm
Sangha Practice Group: Active Hope
How to Face the Mess We’re in Without Going Crazy, based on the work of Joanna Macy
A facilitated group for peers with MRO Senior Amy Shoko Brown.
Joanna Macy’s Active Hope offers a way to strengthen our capacity to face our world crises so that we can respond with unexpected resilience and creative power. While there will be some discussion, we’ll focus on experientials and heart-felt sharing.
Click here for more info and registration link.

Each Wednesday, 6:30pm – 8pm
Sangha Practice Group: Ajahn Chah
Using Ajahn Chah’s teaching, we explore current life and practice together. Senior lay student, Seigei Spark, facilitates the conversation.  Free PDF of the text: The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah.
Click here to join.
Wednesdays, bimonthly, 6:30-8pm
BIPOC Sangha Practice Group (for those who identify as black, indigenous, or a person of color)
An on-going bimonthly meeting of sangha members who identify as BIPOC.
Click Here to register and receive a Zoom link for the meeting.
Upcoming meeting dates: August 19th; September 2nd, 16th, 30th; October 14th, 28th; November 11th

LGBTQ+ Affinity Group Meeting
A support and discussion group for anyone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We meet on Sunday’s after Sesshin from 1:30-3:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
Click Here to register and receive a Zoom link for the meeting.

The first Sunday of the month, through December 2020, 1pm-2:30pm. Next Meeting: August 2nd, for those who have previously registered.
What is Whiteness? Study Group
The MRO’s online “What is Whiteness” group is an ongoing monthly inquiry – based in Dharma practice – into Whiteness and its many biases and blindspots. These meetings are for those who identify as white specifically because of the need for each other’s help to address their conditioning and to be of benefit in the world. These meetings are intended to be part of a personal and collective commitment to attend each meeting.

Click here for more info and registration.

One-to-one Meetings with Teachers and Seniors

Shugen Roshi, Hojin Sensei, and Hogen Sensei are each meeting with formal MRO Students over Zoom for face-to-face teaching. Contact the registrar to schedule a 10 minute appointment within the following times:

Shugen Roshi : Wednesdays 7:45-8:45pm and Sundays 9:45-10:35am.  (except during sesshin)
Hojin Sensei : Wednesdays 7:45-8:45pm and Sundays 9:45-10:35am.  (except during sesshin)
Hogen Sensei:  Saturdays and Mondays between 10 and 12pm.

Email or call the registrar to schedule:
registrar@dharma.net; 845-688-2228

One-to-one Meetings with Seniors
During these unusual and stressful times you may find it helpful to speak with a lay practitioner about tending to your practice or taking care of the challenges that life is presenting these days. Please email seniorstudents@dharma.net if interested and someone will get back to you. This opportunity is open to anyone who identifies as a sangha member, regardless of any formal affiliation. The following senior lay students are available for one-on-one phone or video calls.

Chris Yudo Abraham, Michelle Seigei Spark, Katie Yosha Scott-Childress, Maureen Jisho Ford, Patrick Yunen Kelly, Prabu Gikon Vasan, Michael Chizen Brown