"Put several logs into the fireplace together, and the fire will burn more intensely." Zen Master Eisho
How can I find a meditation class or center?
In Meditation for Dummies, Stephen bodian writes: "All the great meditative traditions agree that meditating with others confers extraordinary benefits. Buddhists refer to the community of practitioners as one of the three treasures of practice. Jews believe that God really listens when ten of His faithful convence together in prayer. And Jesus expressed the same commitment."
Buddhist meditation centers were first established in America more than 30 years ago, and they are quite well organized today. You can find one through either of these websites:
• Tricycle magazine lists Buddhist meditation centers by type of Buddhism at www.tricycle.com
• The Shambhala Sun magazine has a wonderful directory that covers both Buddhist meditation centers and Yoga classes in the United states at www.shambhalasun.comThe Shambhala organization offers both Buddhist and Shambhala meditation programs all around the world www.shambhala.org.
Yoga has been in America for decades. And Yoga Journal magazine has been growing along with the popularity of Yoga. The Yoga Journal website has a comprehensive directory for Yoga classes and teachers around the country www.yogajournal.com
•The National Yoga Alliance also has a directory of Yoga groups at www.yogaalliance.comAn organization called Contemplative Outreach lists several Centering Prayer Christian meditation groups at their site: www.centeringprayer.com
World Community for Christian Meditation groups meet in homes, parishes, offices, hospitals, prisons and colleges. Find them at www.wccm.org.
The International Association of Sufism may be able to help you find local Sufi meditation groups. www.ias.org
You should also check with local Churches, Mosques, and Synagogues for meditation groups within those communities. And don't forget to ask your medical doctor or therapist.
Deepak Chopra offers retreats at his Chopra Wellness Center in California, and through them you may find local groups practicing the same meditation techniques taught at his center, www.chopra.com
The Omega Institute has retreat centers and meditation programs taught by many of the leading meditation masters of our day, including Jon Kabat-Zinn, Rabbi David Cooper, and others. Information, including teacher biographies and teaching schedules, is at www.eomega.org.
Books Available from Amazon
Meditation for Dummies, by Stephen Bodian ($14) Bodian is a therapist and meditator who was also the editor of Yoga Journal magazine for ten years. His book covers all the basics and provides detailed instructions for a handful of meditation techniques, plus tips for finding a class.
Yoga for Dummies, by Georg Feuerstein ($14) covers all the basics in the easy-to-follow style typical of this book series. A perfect introduction for beginners.
