Common Ground Meditation Center exists to support the awakening of suffering beings through the development of an ethical life, the cultivation of a pure heart and quiet mind, and through a deepening of insight into the way things are. These trainings are all guided by mindfulness, and with dedicated practice they lead to freedom from fear, clinging and all ideas of separation. As a community, we take refuge in the freedom of the awakened heart. We take refuge in this path of training and a life of mindful awareness and finally, we take refuge in the great generosity of those who have undertaken this practice and who show us the way.
- Practicing mindfulness: an open, clear, non-judging awareness
- We practice turning toward and trusting things as they are — a kind and patient acceptance of our internal and external experience. Recognizing and opening to the suffering in life is an essential practice in healing and freeing the heart.
- Awakening wisdom and compassion
- We recognize and trust that the conditionality of all things leads to transforming insight into the freedom from self-centered views and and the experience of non-separateness.
- Walking the path as practiced by our spiritual ancestors
- We support ongoing study, practice and learning opportunities for all community members, including the guiding teacher.
- Cultivating skillful intentions, words and actions
- We aspire to live in a way that promotes harmony and alleviates suffering. We commit to the practices of non-harming, non-greed especially in the areas of sexuality, speech and consumption. We also understand the need to integrate these practices into all areas of our community and our hearts.
- Communicating skillfully at all levels of the community
- We commit to the practice of honesty. We not only value skillful speech, but also listening wholeheartedly and mindfully. We value fearlessness and looking deeply, as we practice opening to what is working and what is not working in our lives and in our community.
