Weekly Sangha 

So let us sit down together as a group of brothers and sisters, as a sangha, to practice looking deeply again in our lives, and how we conduct them. - Thich Nhat Hanh

FCM's sanghas in Naples, St. Petersburg, and Tampa offer weekly meditation practice and Dharma teachings from our teacher Fred Eppsteiner. For more information regarding meeting times and days of these sanghas, including orientation for newcomers, please click on the following links.  

Naples, Florida

St. Petersburg, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Other Florida Sanghas

Meeting Guidelines for Naples, Tampa and St. Petersburg Sanghas

We welcome everyone to our meetings who is interested in learning about Buddhism or pursuing a meditation practice. The following guidelines provide a general idea of the format and practice activities of our weekly sangha meetings. In addition, each of the sanghas offers a monthly orientation for newcomers.
 
Please enter silently and take a seat until the session begins, observing your breath to calm your mind.

Generally, the form of the practice is as follows, with some variation at the different locations:

• One round of sitting meditation (30 minutes)
  
• One round of walking meditation (15 minutes)
• Questions and Dharma talk with Fred, or practices/ discussion facilitated by sangha friends

Sitting meditation – The bell will sound three times to begin the meditation session. Cushions, benches, and chairs are available for use during the session. While the use of traditional cushions is encouraged, it is most important to achieve a stable and comfortable posture that you can maintain for the sitting period. The bell will sound once to signal the end of the session.

Walking meditation – A small bell will sound once to signal the start of walking meditation. Rise and follow the direction of the walking meditation line. A small bell may sound during the walking, when we stop and observe three breaths before continuing. After one or two rounds, we return and stand in front of our cushion or chair. We bow with one sound of the bell and return to sitting postures.

Arrival and departure – Please arrive 10 minutes before the session begins. If you need to leave early, please exit quietly between activities.