***COVID-19 Update***
Until the threat of Covid-19 has passed substantially, WiG will move its weekly practice online to support our community and minimize the risks facing everyone. Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81525649658?pwd=SHAzL1kwTmcyYm1PdkdzNVNLNUZ6dz09 [Meeting ID: 815 2564 9658 ;; Passcode: 0; One tap mobile: +16699006833,,81525649658#,,,,,,0#,,0# ]
You can add the dial in information to your calendar directly by following the below links and saving:
Until the threat of Covid-19 has passed substantially, WiG will move its weekly practice online to support our community and minimize the risks facing everyone. Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81525649658?pwd=SHAzL1kwTmcyYm1PdkdzNVNLNUZ6dz09 [Meeting ID: 815 2564 9658 ;; Passcode: 0; One tap mobile: +16699006833,,81525649658#,,,,,,0#,,0# ]
You can add the dial in information to your calendar directly by following the below links and saving:
- Google Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=M290dHBodjZhbjZnYXBsOWhzOWhlOWp2YmRfMjAyMDEyMDNUMDMwMDAwWiB3YXJuZXIua2FsbHVzQG0&tmsrc=warner.kallus%40gmail.com&scp=ALL
- iCal Calendar: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUodeyuqjIsH9z1W9GqM7unVs6s5Mqhif4z/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGpqzkvHNCcthyPRpwcGYjoZ-7wiFhdgvpHzSi8JDF-NRb4APEUIedSAdDZ
We sit every Wednesday, from 7-8:30pm at 824B Carolina Street in Potrero Hill. In addition to seated/walking meditation and tea, you can expect:
1st Wednesday: A talk and discussion
2nd Wednesday: A structured inquiry into one aspect of practice as it plays out in our lives and the chance to discuss
3rd Wednesday: A short talk, with a chance to discuss
4th Wednesday: Community night. Destructed practice with encouragement to bring friends, spouses, kids, etc. After sitting, we share food and drink
5th Wednesday: A two sit evening with a good rest in between
1st Wednesday: A talk and discussion
2nd Wednesday: A structured inquiry into one aspect of practice as it plays out in our lives and the chance to discuss
3rd Wednesday: A short talk, with a chance to discuss
4th Wednesday: Community night. Destructed practice with encouragement to bring friends, spouses, kids, etc. After sitting, we share food and drink
5th Wednesday: A two sit evening with a good rest in between
November
Sometimes the tenderness of life doesn't look like we want it to, and we struggle with seeing the gift and finding gratitude. In this month of thanksgiving, we will explore what happens when we say thank you to the hard things. November's teaching story goes like this:
Lingi was a dedicated monk and took his practice seriously. Nonetheless, he felt stuck and was reluctant to ask for help. The head of practice encouraged him to visit the teacher . When Lingi admitted he didn't even know what his question was, the head of practice supplied one - "ask him the meaning of our practice". Lingi visited the intimidating Huangpo, a towering man, and asked him the question. Before he could take another breath, Huangpo reached out and poked him hard in the middle of his chest. Lingi, his worst concerns confirmed, decided to leave the temple. Huangpo learned of this and through back channels turned the young man toward a nearby teacher. Lingi walked miles, then explained his woes to the other teacher, who exclaimed with genuine care, " Ah, that Huangpo is such a kindly grandmother".
If you can join us for practice, in addition to our period of silent meditation, we will also feature:
11/4 Talk: Radical curiosity 11/11 Experiment: What happens when we bow bow to life in gratitude in the darkest places. 11/14 Half Day Retreat. See details below11/18 Talk: TBD11/25 Community night. This year's Thanksgiving is likely to be interrupted for many by Covid, so if you can, join with us the night before and we will celebrate our practice, our group and the holiday.
Lingi was a dedicated monk and took his practice seriously. Nonetheless, he felt stuck and was reluctant to ask for help. The head of practice encouraged him to visit the teacher . When Lingi admitted he didn't even know what his question was, the head of practice supplied one - "ask him the meaning of our practice". Lingi visited the intimidating Huangpo, a towering man, and asked him the question. Before he could take another breath, Huangpo reached out and poked him hard in the middle of his chest. Lingi, his worst concerns confirmed, decided to leave the temple. Huangpo learned of this and through back channels turned the young man toward a nearby teacher. Lingi walked miles, then explained his woes to the other teacher, who exclaimed with genuine care, " Ah, that Huangpo is such a kindly grandmother".
If you can join us for practice, in addition to our period of silent meditation, we will also feature:
11/4 Talk: Radical curiosity 11/11 Experiment: What happens when we bow bow to life in gratitude in the darkest places. 11/14 Half Day Retreat. See details below11/18 Talk: TBD11/25 Community night. This year's Thanksgiving is likely to be interrupted for many by Covid, so if you can, join with us the night before and we will celebrate our practice, our group and the holiday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
11/14/2020 Half Day Retreat
Meditation is a gift to yourself and your community. For centuries practitioners have celebrated how longer periods of sitting have healed ancient hurts and opened doors long shut. It happens reliably when we sit still and turn inwards, but it can be intimidating to carry on your own. We honor the ritual of retreat - a vessel that supports you and your practice and gives you a chance to settle deep into life.
After much discussion and broad consensus, we believe an in-person sit can be safely held for a limited number of people. Those who are unable, or unwilling, to attend in person due to Covid concerns or distance, are heartily encouraged to register and join by Zoom.
When: Saturday, November 14, 1-7 PM
Cost: $0, though donations are appreciated to cover the hard costs of the group
Registration: Email warner.kallus@gmail.com. Please indicate if you are coming in person or attending online. In-person spots are limited to 8, to be held on a first requested basis. Once you have registered, you will get an email with directions, instructions and other information.
Covid precautions: The retreat is outdoors. Cushions are placed 8+ feet away from one another. Masks will be worn at all times. Anyone with a fever or any other covid symptom on the day will be asked to stay at home. Handwashing stations are provided. Attendees will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles and to eat before attending.
Format: There will be a welcome, periods of sitting, breaks and a talk. Walking meditation will be replaced with movement based work on our cushions. There is an altar and people are encouraged to bring offerings that are important to them.
Meditation is a gift to yourself and your community. For centuries practitioners have celebrated how longer periods of sitting have healed ancient hurts and opened doors long shut. It happens reliably when we sit still and turn inwards, but it can be intimidating to carry on your own. We honor the ritual of retreat - a vessel that supports you and your practice and gives you a chance to settle deep into life.
After much discussion and broad consensus, we believe an in-person sit can be safely held for a limited number of people. Those who are unable, or unwilling, to attend in person due to Covid concerns or distance, are heartily encouraged to register and join by Zoom.
When: Saturday, November 14, 1-7 PM
Cost: $0, though donations are appreciated to cover the hard costs of the group
Registration: Email warner.kallus@gmail.com. Please indicate if you are coming in person or attending online. In-person spots are limited to 8, to be held on a first requested basis. Once you have registered, you will get an email with directions, instructions and other information.
Covid precautions: The retreat is outdoors. Cushions are placed 8+ feet away from one another. Masks will be worn at all times. Anyone with a fever or any other covid symptom on the day will be asked to stay at home. Handwashing stations are provided. Attendees will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles and to eat before attending.
Format: There will be a welcome, periods of sitting, breaks and a talk. Walking meditation will be replaced with movement based work on our cushions. There is an altar and people are encouraged to bring offerings that are important to them.