About this Event
Welcome to Magnolia Grove Monastery!
Nestled among Southern Magnolias, we are a mindful community and welcome all to come enjoy meditation with us.
Days of Mindfulness at the Monastery
Most Sundays we open our monastery to those who would like to come and practice with us for the day. This is an opportunity to discover the practice of mindfulness with our community and to enjoy the peace and beauty of our monastery and its magnificent sprawling grounds.
We invite all newcomers to visit us on Sunday so you can receive an introduction to the basic practices of mindfulness.
See below for a typical schedule of events. Please note that the schedule is subject to change if the Sunday falls at the end of one of our themed retreats. Check our calendar of events for dates of themed retreats throughout the year.
We welcome you to come practice the art of mindful living with our community. This day can help support you in your practice of mindfulness, taking an entire day to come back home to the present moment and learn to take care of ourselves. No experience is required and anyone can benefit from even one day of mindfulness. Other activities include a Dharma talk, walking meditation, silent meal, and a discussion of the practice.
The talk is either a live Dharma talk by one of our resident Dharma teachers or a recorded teaching by Thay. Walking meditation is an invitation to practice mindful walking, uniting our breath and movements, remembering our true home – the present moment. A silent meal, prepared by the monastics, is the opportunity to eat together, looking deeply at our consumption and enjoying the miracle of nourishment.
Lastly, a unique practice in our tradition is the way of sharing our practice, called Dharma Sharing. It is an opportunity to give voice to our experiences – our joys and our difficulties – in a calm, receptive, and safe environment. This is also an opportunity to practice deep listening and loving speech.
Tentative schedule for a Sunday:
You are most welcome to join us for the morning sitting meditation (which starts at 5:30 am) if it fits your schedule. Otherwise, we are happy to welcome you later.
8:30 am - Walking Meditation
9:45 am – Dharma Talk
11:30 am – Mindfulness Trainings Recitation * 1st Sunday – The Five Mindfulness Trainings* 3rd Sunday – The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings
* 2nd, 4th, 5th Sundays – Dharma Sharing
12:45 pm – Lunch
After Lunch – Mindfulness Day Ends
Donations
There is no set fee for taking part in a Day of Mindfulness, but please note that a donation is required in order to receive a ticket online when you register. With your donation is included a vegan lunch, DoM program activities, and use of facilities.
Donations are our main source of support, so every offering is greatly appreciated. Your contribution can help us to keep the monastery open all year.
Individual Needs
Magnolia Grove is deeply committed to inclusiveness. If you have any particular need for assistance, please contact us at [email protected] so we can offer you as much support as possible. All meals are vegan. There is generally a variety of options available at mealtime, but feel free to bring supplementary food for yourself if you have a particular dietary need.
What to Wear/Bring
Please wear casual and modest clothing that is comfortable for sitting (i.e. long sleeve shirt (shirt covering shoulders), long pants (below the knees), loose fitting clothes…). Please wear or bring weather-appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for walking on nature trails so you can fully enjoy the outdoor walking meditation with the community. Please avoid wearing perfumes or other products that may affect those who are sensitive or allergic to scents.
You may like to bring a water bottle, especially during hotter months.
Where should I go when I arrive?
You are invited to visit the dining hall to check the schedule on the white board or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the tea room while waiting for the activity to start. From the parking lot, you may follow the path past the bell tower, you'll find the big building which is the dining hall.
Please plan to arrive at the monastery at least 15 minutes in advance in preparation for the walking meditation at 8:30am. We ask that you park your car in the parking lot and gather in front of our Big Meditation Hall.
Ticks
In the spring, summer, and fall, Magnolia Grove is home to deer ticks which do carry Lyme Disease. It is easy to protect yourself if you take a few simple precautions–most importantly, thoroughly checking yourself and your children for ticks each day.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Magnolia Grove Monastery, 123 Towles Road, Batesville, United States
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