Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple is exists exclusively to help the global community learn more about Buddhism and help as many people as we are able to alleviate suffering and cultivate love. The Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple was founded in 2002 by a monk from Sri Lanka named Bhante Sujatha, who has resided in McHenry County, Illinois ever since. The Blue Lotus Temple focuses on ease of access for all and has a wide variety of services to assist those who know little to nothing about Buddhism or meditati …

Bodhi Path Buddhist Center of Chicago (www.bodhipath.org/chicago) is part of an international organization of Buddhist meditation centers founded by Shamar Rinpoche. Rinpoche and many other teachers provide meditation, philosophy instruction, and guidance to learn and practice Buddhism. Resident Dharma Teacher Rachel Parrish offers teachings and meditation instruction. Meditation is practiced through guided instruction geared to the needs of those in attendance. Various texts are also studied an …

This is a group for anyone interested in meditation, Buddha Dharma, Ving Tsun kung fu (for self defense only), tai chi, chi gong and stress reduction. We started this group to share these practices with anyone looking for more peace and happiness and understanding of how to apply it practically in every day life. When we unite our body, breath and mind as one, we can live with greater clarity, focus and health. We look forward to meeting you and together making ourselves, our families, friends a …

Finding principles of Buddhism in literature and science, to make the journey a bit easier.

Welcome to the Buddhist communities (sanghas) of Milwaukee. We hope to be able to keep an up to date list of all meditation retreats, classes and other Buddhist events in the Milwaukee area on the home page, and to keep up to date the pages with contact and location information, regular meditation schedules, and other information about each participating sangha. Start by going to the Pages section for location, contact information, regularly scheduled free introductory meditation instruction, a …

The Zen River Sangha (http://www.zenriver.org) follows the Japanese Rinzai Zen Buddhist tradition and is affiliated with the Hollow Bones Rinzai Order. Practicing in three locations in the Fox Valley in Wisconsin (Appleton, Neenah, and Oshkosh), this sangha gives instruction in Zen Buddhist philosophy and practice. We offer weekly practice which includes a sutra service, zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), daisan (private interview with a teacher), and a dharma talk. This sa …

As a Kadampa Buddhist Center we provide drop-in meditation classes throughout the Chicagoland area. We also offer more in-depth programs such as weekend courses, retreats, and study programs covering the range of Buddhist thought. The methods and practices taught at the center are suitable for all individuals whatever your level of interest. Everyone is welcome! Please visit www.meditateinchicago.org for other info/events not listed on meetup.com.

“What Dennis Genpo Roshi has done is not only the most original discovery in Buddhism in the last two centuries, it is unbelievably simple, quick, and effective. In Zen, this realization of one’s True Nature, or Ultimate Reality, is called kensho or satori (“seeing into one’s True Nature,” or discovering Big Mind and Big Heart). It often takes five years or more of extremely difficult practice (I know, I’ve done it) in order for a profound satori to occur. With the Big Mind Process, a genuine ke …

Fox Valley Zazenkai is a group practicing Zazen (sitting meditation) in the Rinzai Zen tradition. We are a member of the Chicago Zen Community and we meet at an Aikido dojo located in Naperville. Please see the "pages" tab on our homepage for more detailed information.

The Chicago Zen Center was founded in 1974 by a small group of people who were interested in practicing Zen as taught by Philip Kapleau in the Harada-Yasutani tradition. Since then it has grown into a complete practice center, under the guidance of established teachers, offering the full spectrum of Zen training and practice opportunities: daily sittings (most with dokusan or daisan), weekly teishos, a regular schedule of sesshin retreats, and a full complement of Buddhist celebrations and devot …

Welcome Meditators of All Schools & Experience Levels. The purpose of this group is, as the Buddha said, to seek out "wise & beneficial friends" who support us and our Meditation practice. Namely we are looking for a group of beginning & advanced students, and anyone interested who is willing to learn, to motivate each other by coming to (and becoming a regular part of) a weekly sitting meditation group. All teachers agree: The key to a successful meditation practice is a regular practice; and …

Many changes are happening in the Wiccan and Pagan communities these days. Years ago, Covens were the main way to be involved with a few Solitary Practitioners to be found. As the Craft has "come out of the broom closet" more information is available than ever before. What does not seem to be there is the sense of Spiritual Community we had all those years ago. We have many wonderful social outlets these days. They serve a tremendous purpose and it is a blessing they exist. However, as times evo …

You are cordially invited to join us as we sit in silent meditation, practicing simply for the sake of practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome so regardless of whether you're embarking on or continuing your journey inward, we would be honored by your presence.  This is a non-denominational group. Although, I must admit that there is a slight Buddhist flavor to my practice but not in a religious sense, it's more of an individualistic practical philosophy I'd say. Therefore, no matter wh …

Psychology and Spirituality both hold keys to learning about one's self and to relieving the stress and pain that most people feel at times. They both hold keys to feeling more peaceful. However, one without the other is not complete. Spirituality without cleaning out the past, lends a person to feeling pressure to be in a place where they can't sustain and psychology alone creates a barrier as the person does not have access to deeper connection and love. Together we will explore readings and m …

Let's get together and share our spiritual insights. In the words of Wayne Dyer, "if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." Most of our lives are spent pursing outward activities, but without a sense of inner peace, the outward pursuits may not be fulfilling. This meetup is intended for anyone who is interested in finding inner peace by exploring one’s own thoughts, emotions, actions, and reactions. Let’s create a supportive community of kind-hearted, wise, and em …

"For more than 50 years, The Summit Lighthouse has been publishing the Teachings of the Ascended Masters—the mystics and sages of East and West, who graduated from earth’s schoolroom and attained union with God. The Summit Lighthouse is a non-profit organization dedicated to making these teachings available to all those looking for answers to life’s difficult questions. The Summit Lighthouse was created to meet the needs of spiritual seekers for the Aquarian Age. It provides opportunities and …

The Goal: A community of people dedicated to consciousness elevation in all aspects of life, individual, communal, social, political, scientific, and beyond. We each have the potential to each a unique level of "Human Optimization".  Attention, communication, intelligence, thoughtfulness, balanced emotion and speech and action, empathetic, beautiful, kind. To achieve this peak potential and manifest it into "life as we know it" including the status quo, we effectively change the whole system in …

Chicago Integral was created as a place of practice, study and community devoted to integral approaches to spirituality and life, based upon the AQAL map of Ken Wilber. The group meets regularly for practice and discussion sessions, alternating between discussion of some of the great books of integral and sessions devoted to integral spiritual practice.

This group was started to be the weekly group sit that many find indispensable for supporting a daily meditation practice. The group is non-denominational and any style of sitting meditation can be practiced from Advaita to Zen as long is it is in silence. We will explore different types of meditation with the broad idea being that if you find one or more types that you enjoy you will meditate daily and get the most out of it (like exercise but for the mind). If you are new to meditation Guided …

Wisconsin Blue Lotus is a meditation group open to anyone interested in practicing mindfulness and loving kindness. In addition to posting weekly meeting times, we want to share other opportunities for practice and retreat in this area. We'll also post joint projects with Peace Tree Yoga (teacher Donna Mosca, Burlington, WI), including workshop and retreat details. WBL is led by Bhikkhuni Vimala, a monastic member of Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock, IL. Check us out at: www.bluelotustemple.org.

For millennia people all over the world have argued, fought, and killed over religion, faith and worldview. It is my opinion much of this hostility is caused by misunderstanding and prejudice. In the spirit of better understanding and new friendship Interfaith Chicago will be a space to share good information, positive discussion and informal community among people of different faiths. It is not our goal to convince one another to change or to argue about who is right. While I have studied sever …

Traditional Christian religions all speak of the Bible as the ultimate text for life. It is but it becomes a useful day to day tool when you can uncover the deeper levels of teaching contained in the stories and parables. Mystics have learned that every outer event in the Gospels happens for each of us on the inner realm as we journey back into relationship with the GodSelf. Join us as we explore biblical passages and how they mysteriously reveal their wisdom that is perfect for where each of us …

Interested in re-examining fundamental concepts concerning faith and religion? If so, then welcome to the Philosophical Sunday School Meetup. This group concerns itself with the study of religion, and other matters of faith, from a philosophical perspective.  Philosophical here means that our primary concern will be asking questions, our secondary concern will be trying to understand our questions, our tertiary concern will be seeing what types of conclusions can draw, and if we are incredibly …