A good friend brought me to the Sunday night Dharma Talk and Meditation at Wild Heart (formerly…read moreAgainst the Stream) in September when I first moved to town. While I was interested in mindfulness and meditation, I didn't have a regular practice. As someone who thrives with external accountability, however, the idea of practicing in a room full of people at the same time every week was super appealing.
After parking at the lot next door at the Plasma Center (Wild Heart is very clear about please not parking in front of or behind their building, but instead along the road next to the building or in the lot next door), slipped off our shoes and took a seat on some cushions on the floor of the large mediation room. There are also chairs and a big bean bag in the corner, along with props and even blankets to make yourself comfortable. Relatively inexperienced at meditation, I was a little intimidated at first, but soon I felt right at home as Andrew offered guidance through the 20 or so minute practice.
A 30 or so minute Dharma Talk followed. Again, I was casually interested in Buddhism but had done no formal study or practice. I brought a notebook to take notes, but many people just listened. The topic, cravings, was relevant to my life and seemed to be relevant to many others who chose to share during the discussion later. While the topic was presented through a Buddhist understanding and using some Pali/Sanskrit terminology, there was no doctrine being pushed, only a conversation about what it can sometimes be like to be human.
A brief discussion ensued following the Dharma Talk, during which anyone who felt compelled or comfortable to share their experience could, but no pressure. Sometimes people ask questions about meditation techniques, sometimes they share extremely personal stories and struggles, and sometimes no one shares and Andrew has a line for that too.
Attending on Sunday nights has been so beneficial to my own self knowledge and my compassion. Every week, I leave feeling like my life has become richer, like I've put a new lens onto my experience of the world, or taken one off. I have brought friends to the Sunday night sessions who all have different backgrounds in meditation and mindfulness, and without fail, we walk out bubbling up with excitement about how somehow it seemed to be just what we needed to hear.
I have only attended the Sunday night sessions, but the Center offer so many other groups throughout the week. There are weekly groups for people in recovery, daily yoga offerings, and other mindfulness-related groups throughout the week. They also host guest teachers and retreats on a regular basis, and have special events around the holidays.
One of the things I appreciate most about Wild Heart is that it is entirely donation-based in order to accommodate everyone interested in their services, regardless of their ability to pay. Teachers mention this at the end of their classes, but there is never any "hawking" or uncomfortable pressure. As a non-profit, they depend on donations to offer their services and to keep the lights on. After gaining so much from the Center, donating starts to feel like the least I can do.
I almost don't want to post this review and keep Wild Heart as my little secret, but in the spirit of metta ("goodwill" or "benevolence" in Pali and an important Buddhist concept), I have to share such a valuable community resource. No matter your experience with Buddhism, mindfulness, or meditation, you will feel at home here.
