Description
The momentum and force of our human conditioning is powerful and strong. Over and over again, we might find ourselves caught in a painful, exhausting grip of entrenched habits, distractions, worries, or compulsive thoughts and behaviors. Sometimes it seems we can’t get out of our own way. In order to see our situation clearly and meet it with wisdom, we are invited to return to the refuge of our meditation practice.
One of the great gifts of a consistent and committed mindfulness practice is that we begin to have more choices. It can allow us to exercise agency and influence the course of our lives, building a foundation for a more empowering, expansive way to live. We practice and in time may find that the movement away from painful, habitual ways of being—and towards an intentional, happier way of life—develops its own momentum, leading us to greater peace.
This forward movement is called “onward leading” in the Buddhist canon. Over the course of three weeks, we will contemplate how to align our practice with an onward-leading momentum so that our thoughts, words, and actions are skillful and of benefit to ourselves and all beings.
This practice group is appropriate for first-time meditators as well as those with meditation experience. All are warmly welcome. We will meditate together, engage in peer learning and sharing, have opportunities for home practice, and for questions and reflections.
Zeenat Potia
Zeenat Potia teaches meditation in Buddhist and secular spaces. She has over 15 years of training, with extensive silent retreat experience in the early Buddhist tradition and advanced trauma-sensitive mindfulness. Zeenat incorporates her life experience — as a South Asian immigrant, as a mother, and as a strategic communications professional in higher education, non-profit, and publishing for over 20 years — into her teaching.
Her current work integrates mindfulness, 12-step recovery, and Internal Family Systems as a way to heal intergenerational trauma and transform structures of internal and external oppression. She is committed to sharing mindfulness with underserved and underrepresented populations. Zeenat has taught at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center since 2014, as well as teaching meditation in organizations and universities throughout the Boston area. Learn more at: zeenatpotia.com
Attending an online practice group
- Sitting a practice group from home online differs greatly from coming to a meditation center. Tending to your comfort and giving yourself a quiet, private sitting and walking space (if possible, in your environment) will help keep your attention focused and support your practice and learning. Plan to bring as much simplicity and ease to your day as possible. The schedule of the practice group is structured to support your well-being and practice with regular breaks and time for mindful movement.
- We use Zoom for online practice groups. Before your practice group begins, be sure to download Zoom and familiarize yourself with using the program, including the chat feature. Specifics about how we use Zoom during your practice group will be covered initially; however, we cannot provide technical support during the group.
- We ask that you treat our virtual meditation hall as if we were together in person, in the same room. The teachers and other yogis benefit greatly from your full presence and careful attention.
- Join each session of the practice group a few minutes early. This will support the teachers and your fellow attendees.
- Please maintain noble silence as much as possible for the duration of the practice group and take any necessary steps to limit external distractions such as incoming emails, texts, or other interruptions to maintain the integrity of our practice together. Close all programs on your computer other than Zoom and turn off all notifications on your devices.
- Power off your phones and smartwatches for the entire practice group. Please don’t check your devices during breaks. We suggest you put an “away” message on your email and voicemail and leave your devices in another room during the practice group.
- Please keep your video on during our time together as much as possible. This supports a sense of connectedness and sangha.
- You will receive a welcome email from CIMC a day or two before your program, including the Zoom link, practice group schedule, and further information.