Finding a Sangha

amandathetexan

Do you consider yourself part of a particular group or community? How did this come to be?

I've been looking for a while at the options here in my area (Dallas-Fort Worth, TX) and have found that there are several things that pop up on search engines, I don't know how to navigate the options. There are also some places which don't have websites (ie driving along and noticing a 'Meditation Center') or have them but primarily in foreign languages, and so I'm unsure of how to approach them. What has been your approach? I've visited one which has a very easy-to-navigate website, but seem quick to require a membership fee, which is off-putting.

jessie70

I searched online, found a couple of zendos and one Buddhist temple.
I called and asked questions about all the details- sitting times, attire, if silence was required the whole time, appropriate donations, etc. I made sure I understood the structure of the session, how long we sit, if there is a walking portion, a dharma talk, tea etc, so that I would know what to expect. Then I went to a few different places.
I now go every couple of weeks to the one that was close and felt comfortable.
I am planning on going to a half-day retreat next, when schedules line up.
Good luck - I hope you find a comfortable place to go. I have found it to be a sort of oasis
:-)

poptart

By coincidence I just read this article someone posted on Facebook about choosing a Buddhist teacher. Hope it helps.

caz

amandathetexan said:

Do you consider yourself part of a particular group or community? How did this come to be?

I've been looking for a while at the options here in my area (Dallas-Fort Worth, TX) and have found that there are several things that pop up on search engines, I don't know how to navigate the options. There are also some places which don't have websites (ie driving along and noticing a 'Meditation Center') or have them but primarily in foreign languages, and so I'm unsure of how to approach them. What has been your approach? I've visited one which has a very easy-to-navigate website, but seem quick to require a membership fee, which is off-putting.

http://www.dallasmeditationcenter.com/

One teacher I'd look up there is Tashi Nyima and excellent Tibetan Buddhist who teaches from the Jonang tradition.

http://meditationintexas.org/meditationindallas/index.html

http://meditationintexas.org/meditation-classes/fort-worth-downtown/