Description
Forgiveness is one of the deepest expressions of spiritual life. Forgiveness is a central concept in Buddhism because understanding forgiveness is essential in nourishing wisdom and compassion.
We can make the choice to cultivate forgiveness. It is the act of not throwing someone out of our hearts. Forgiveness is a way to see, understand, and let go of the pain, anger, guilt and resentment that we carry from harm that was done to us, or by us. Forgiveness cannot change our past but can change the present. In this practice group we will explore what it means to forgive ourselves, to forgive others, to ask others to forgive us and to forgive difficult conditions that are present in our personal and collective lives.
This program is appropriate for both new and experienced meditators of all ages and all levels of experience. Each session will include formal meditation practices on forgiveness, teachings, time for discussion, reflections, and questions. Working with the Home Practices between sessions is essential to this group. Everyone is welcome.
Attending an in-person practice group
- CIMC is a refuge. Out of compassion for those with chemical sensitivities, please avoid using scented products such as lotions, deodorant, after-shave, hair products, perfume, and clothes laundered with scented detergent or dryer sheets—before you come to the Center.
- Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to check in and to find a comfortable place in the meditation hall.
- Please power off your phone, smartwatch, and other electronic devices for the duration of the program.
- Please leave your shoes on the shoe shelves on the first floor and keep your valuables with you.
- Parking at CIMC is limited; we suggest you use public transportation to the Center whenever possible.
- Food and beverages, including water, are not allowed in the meditation halls.
- We strongly recommend you dress in layers since the temperature in the meditation hall varies throughout the day. The hall thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature. Still, please give yourself a range of clothing options, as individual preferences for warmth or coolness differ widely and cannot be accommodated.
- Masks are optional. Some masks are available at the entrance of the Center.
- CIMC provides zafus (round cushions), zabutons (large mats), meditation benches, blankets, and chairs. At the end of each program, we request that you brush off and plump up zabutons and zafus and neatly return them where they belong.
- Hearing Assistive Devices are available in the Meditation Hall. The wireless receiver has a standard headphone jack, and we provide headphones and neck loops.
- Practice groups will often have home practices in between sessions.