Deep Roots Sangha

We practise Zen Buddhism in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, a world-renowned Vietnamese Zen Master, with an emphasis on developing mindfulness. Our current membership does not include a Dharma Teacher, but we are happy to do our best to offer opportunities for practice as a group of interested practitioners.

The Buddha offered us the practice of mindfulness to help us come back to what is happening in the present moment. Mindfulness allows us to touch the wondrous, refreshing, and healing elements that are inside and around us, and to nourish the seeds of joy, peace, love, and understanding in ourselves. It supports us to face everyday challenges with more balance and poise.

Current opportunities for practice are a mix of in-person and online and in constant review, with the expectation that post-covid, in-person activity will increase over time, perhaps with a reduction in online activity. Activities vary, but we have been holding a silent sit each morning online for some time now.

We meet in person on the first and third Thursday of each month in our own homes, which are in various locations across Nottingham. Arrive at 7.30pm for a prompt 7.45pm start and the session finishes at 9.30pm. As of early 2023, we also meet online (Zoom) on Wednesday evenings.

The content of an evening session varies, but follows a reasonably consistent format. Each evening is facilitated by different Sangha members and starts with a period of sitting meditation. This is sometimes silent and sometimes guided and lasts about 20 minutes. If you have a cushion or stool that you use for meditation, please bring this with you to a physical meeting. The opening meditation is followed by a period of walking meditation, a core element of the practice in this tradition. We then share a reading from one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books, or other inspiring Buddhist writers, or sometimes watch a video together. A period of ‘Dharma sharing’ follows the reading or viewing, where participants have the chance to share from the heart, and practise deep listening with our friends.

Sanghas across the East Midlands join together to hold Days of Mindfulness on Saturdays or Sundays several times each year. Arrive from 10am for a 10.30am start and the practice takes place until 4pm. We usually meet in the Community Centre in Normanton on Soar, near to Loughborough. The Community Centre is a beautiful modern building, ideal for meditation and practice in a rural setting close to the River Soar.

The format for the full days is similar to the evenings described above, but with an opportunity to extend our practice to include outdoor walking meditation, eating meditation and other practices such as deep relaxation. The days are co-facilitated by different Sangha members and we request a small donation towards the cost of the hall hire, and we each bring vegetarian food to share. Wherever possible we co-ordinate car sharing between Sangha members and can usually offer lifts to those without transport.

The practice is open to people of all faiths and none. New participants are always welcome. We operate an email mailing list to let those interested know where and when meetings will be taking place. Please contact Lauren if you would like further information.