Mindfulness
The Mindful Reflection Community is a lay-led organization of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oak Park. It is open to all members and friends of Unity Temple who are interested in exploring meditation, mindfulness, and Buddhist teachings within a Unitarian Universalist framework. We do not follow one traditional Buddhist lineage but are interested in all lineages as well as secular/liberal/western/modern interpretations of Buddhism. All are welcome to attend our meetings regularly or sporadically.
The Mindful Reflection Community has 3 regular events:
Tuesday Evening Mindful Reflection Community
We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7pm until 9pm. We greet and get to know one another, meditate for 20 minutes, listen to wisdom talks (dharma), and share our reflections in small groups. The talks center around meditation, mindfulness, and Buddhist wisdom. There is a strong emphasis on community building throughout the evening as this deepens and strengthens our practice.
As of May 17, 2022 we have been meeting in person and via Zoom. For in person participants, vaccinations are encouraged, masks are recommended. To obtain the Zoom link and for additional information contact us at mindful@unitytemple.org.
Daily 20-minute Meditation
We meet each morning, 7 days per week starting at 8:25am via Zoom. The meeting includes a brief reading, 20 minutes of silent meditation and a brief reading to conclude. Regular meditation with a caring group of people assists in deepening and developing our individual practices and creates a wonderful community. Late arrivals are welcome, just enter whenever you arrive and start your meditation.
To obtain the Zoom link and for additional information contact us at mindful@unitytemple.org.
Sacred Wanderings
Sacred Wanderings happen on the first Saturday of each month from 8:30am until 10:30am in person at Thatcher Woods. Join as we intentionally practice connecting with nature and surrounding ourselves with the energy of the natural world. Sacred Wanderings is a modification of Forest Bathing and is more than taking a leisurely walk in the woods to enjoy the scenery. There is a specific intention in the practice to connect with the natural world and to gain benefit and energy from it. People with physical challenges are easily accommodated.
To obtain the address for Thatcher Woods or for additional information contact us at mindful@unitytemple.org.
Retreats
The Mindful Reflection Community offers a fall 2 night silent retreat at Camp Duncan in Ingleside, IL and will begin offering various forms and durations of silent retreats both online and in person. All events are open to all who are interested in mindfulness, meditation and Buddhism from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. If tuition is charged, some scholarships will be available. For additional information contact us at mindful@unitytemple.org.
To obtain the Zoom links and for additional information contact us at mindful@unitytemple.org