Heron Croft Sangha

About Us

Sangha is a Sanskrit word meaning a community that practices compassion and awareness together. Sangha is one of the Three Gems of Buddhism, along with Buddha, the essence of mindful compassion, and Dharma, the teachings.

We practice primarily in the tradition of Buddhist Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Our sangha includes people from several different Buddhist traditions and other faith traditions and some with no prior experience or practice of Buddhism or meditation. We welcome everyone who is interested in mindful living, compassion, and peace.

There is no membership or fee, and there are no attendance requirements. It is open to all regardless of background, age, race, gender and sexual orientation. Meditation instruction is available on request.

Our practice is not just for personal growth in mindfulness but to enlarge and expand our inherent compassion for all living things.

Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings focus on the practice of mindfulness in everyday life as well as on meditation in all its forms. A typical morning of mindfulness consists of:

a guided meditation (approx. 20 mins.)
walking meditation (approx. 15 mins. — outside when weather permits)
silent sitting meditation (approx. 20 mins.)
a reading on Buddhist teachings (we pass a book around the circle and each of us reads a few paragraphs, if we wish (approx. 15 mins.)
a period of sharing our experience with the practice in our daily lives or asking questions, if we wish.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment. It is the continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment of daily life. To be mindful is to be truly alive, present, and at one with those around you and with what you are doing.

Mindfulness helps us develop concentration, which in turn helps us to gain insight. Insight gives us the understanding to transform our mind and liberate ourselves from our difficulties and sufferings. We believe that when we transform ourselves we help to transform society to one that is more loving, peaceful and compassionate.

"Your true home is the here and the now. It is not limited by time, space, nationality, or race. Your true home is not an abstract idea; it is something you can touch and live in every moment. With mindfulness and concentration, the energies of the Buddha, you can find your true home in the full relaxation of your mind and body in the present moment."

- Thich Nhat Hanh