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Meditation offerings



At BMDC we recognize that each person is unique and individual, responding differently to various meditation methods, thus we work with individuals on a one-on-one basis to find the most appropriate means of practice. We do not adhere to a one size fits all, cookie cutter approach. We value and respect each persons path of cultivation.

The methods we offer include but are not limited to the following:


ANAPANASATI

Anapanasati, often translated as “mindfulness of breathing,” is a foundational meditation practice in Buddhism that focuses on cultivating awareness and concentration through the observation of the breath. From a philosophical perspective, Anapanasati embodies profound insights into the nature of mind, consciousness, and the impermanent nature of reality.



SILENT ILLUMINATION

Silent Illumination does not involve visualization, observing our thoughts or breath, or continually scanning the body. Instead, it simply involves minding the act of sit­ting, staying with that reality from moment to moment. You are just with your body, in your body sitting. Body and mind are one. We simplify and reduce all complications to this single act of just sitting. However, if you’re too absorbed or scattered and are no longer aware that you’re sitting, then simply and gently bring your awareness back to this concrete act of sitting again. 

Now, how do you know you’re sitting? You have your sitting posture, your feeling of being here, the presence of the body. Just restfully be with the simplicity of just sitting. When you mind your sit­ting, your body and mind are naturally together. Though the practice of Silent Illumination is very simple, it is very hard to us to be simple. This is a practice of tremendous depths, a meditation practice where the aim is to just be aware of the naturalness of each wakeful moment. Yet in embarking on this practice, we usually find that we need to hold onto something, because of our conditioning. So we need something more concrete than just being wakeful, and not allowing the mind to abide or fixate anywhere. Otherwise, this trying to be wakeful can become an abstract idea, or you may start to take the stillness or clarity as an object of meditation. Very simply put: just be in the stream of this act of sitting, the concrete experience of sitting. allowing thoughts, feelings, and sensations to come and go within awareness. It’s a very open and spacious meditation practice, in which there is simply the observation of whatever arises in our immediate experience. 



WALKING MEDITATION

Walking Meditation is a practical method for developing self-knowledge by means of constant observation of the body and sensations while walking. Walking Mediation can be a profound practice that allows us to develop liberating insight into vedanā, “sensations,” “feelings,” or “feeling tones,” by attending to the actuality of the present moment. Walking meditation allows us to develop a full presence of awareness to ever increasing depths while having the added benefit that once a practitioner develops familiarity with this practice it is then very easy to continue this practice in all areas of ones day to day life, effectively extending your mediation practice into all waking hours expediating cultivation.


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About Us

Blue Mountain Dharma Community offers a welcoming and inclusive space for meditation, community, and integrative awakening through a contemporary approach to traditional Buddhist teachings and practices. BMDC holds weekly sittings and discussion groups, generously hosted by T.C ( Tyler ) Donalds , a former monk in the Thai Forest Tradition and certified member of the International Ch'an (Zen) Buddhist Institute. Our mission is to make accessible, and embody the wisdom and compassion of the Buddhist teachings in a practical and experiential way that clarifies what awakening is while showing us how to transform our everyday experiences into the very path of awakening. The offerings of the Blue Mountain Dharma Community do not ask us to remove ourselves from the world or reject it as illusion, in fact we fully embrace it as it presents itself as the very means for awakening.   We are a community led Sangha and Blue Mountain Dharma Community views spiritual friendship ( kalyana...
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Blue Mountain contact info

Blue Mountain Dharma Community is open to all, regardless of your level of experience. We welcome both those new to practice and those that already have an established and rewarding practice. If you have any questions or are interested in attending or becoming a member, please send an email to T.C at:   Bluemountaindharmagroup@gmail.com We look forward to connecting!
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