Here is information about programs and meeting groups composed of other Buddhist sanghas that share the space at Brooklyn Zen Center.
Love Circle Sangha
2nd Sunday: 2-5pm
4th Saturday: 2-5pm
Please visit our facebook page here and message us to lovecirclesangha@gmail.com for meeting date exceptions and updates.
The Love Circle Sangha (or community that gathers) meets bi-monthly to sit in mindful meditation, practice walking meditation, deep relaxation or “movement” based meditation. Each sangha also consists of a shared reading and conversation, followed by a dharma share where anyone who chooses can share authentically from the heart their experiences in mindfulness, a recent story from their life’s journey, etc with a community of compassionate listeners.
Our practice group centers BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and QTPOC (Queer and Trans People of Color) and includes white comrades actively engaged in dismantling the intertwined forms of oppression that cause great suffering in our society. At the core of our practice is the belief that the dharma is a powerful tool for investigating and transforming oppression.
*A note for white allies and comrades: As this is a BIPOC founded and centered space, this season we ask that white comrades/allies attend with a person of color to help this space flourish as it was intended.
No meditation experience is required and people of all spiritual orientations are welcome; the facilitators will offer guidance before each practice.
Including the traditions and practices of our community within the context of shared mindfulness, compassion and deep listening (Thich Nhat Hanh Zen Tradition) is a principle mission of our Sangha. Members of community are often invited to share a song, reading, physical mediation orcontribute to the gathering from their own tradition or practice honoring our diversity within community in addition to or oneness/interbeing.
At the close of each session tea and light refreshments are offered in a “potluck” tradition, and a dana (humble offering) is requested to support the rental of the space.
For more information please visit our facebook page here and message us or send your questions to lovecirclesangha@gmail.com.
New York Insight Brooklyn People of Color and Allies
2nd and 4th Monday evenings of each month, from 7-9pm
NYI Brooklyn POC and Allies group was founded by Sebene Selassie and joshua bee alafia in June 2010. The group is for people of color and allies and is based in Brooklyn. The intention is to offer a bi-weekly space and therefore more practice opportunities for the large Brooklyn-based New York Insight POC community. After earlier discussions with the main Brooklyn Sangha about how to create more diversity, it was decided to create a POC group that included allies.
NYI Brooklyn POC and Allies meets at Brooklyn Zen Center the 2nd and 4th Monday evenings of each month, from 7 to 9pm. A meditation period of 45 minutes begins promptly at 7pm, followed by peer-lead discussion from 7:45 to 9pm.
For more information please visit our facebook page here and message us, or email us at pocandalliesbk@gmail.com.
Full Circle: Mindfulness Meditation
1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, from 4 to 5:30pm
Full Circle: Mindfulness Meditation is a space for aspiring and seasoned meditators alike to connect and explore how meditation and mindfulness relate to daily urban living. Through meditation, group readings, and discussion, we investigate and uncover the habits that keep us from fully experiencing our lives. The group is geared toward ages 25 to 40, but all are welcome. No previous experience is required!
Each meeting, we suggest a $10 donation to support offerings at the Brooklyn Zen Center, but we encourage you to attend even if you can’t donate. For further questions, please contact fullcirclemindfulness@gmail.co