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Charlotte Community of Mindfulness In the Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh |
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Inspired by the teachings of Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, the Charlotte Community of Mindfulness formed in 1993 and has met at least weekly since then. As students of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thây), we come together to study and practice mindfulness and meditation in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition of Lam Te Dhyana School. Through practicing together, we aspire to cultivate our ability to live deeply and compassionately every moment of daily life and to nourish these seeds in each other.
Newcomers are welcome. No experience needed. Please wear comfortable clothing. The floor is carpeted. We have a few extra meditation cushions and benches, as well as chairs. (To learn about the times and schedule of our gatherings, please use the links to the left.)
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While focusing on Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings with the guidance of Thich Nhat Hanh and on the Five and Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings in particular, we recognize and respect the value of all spiritual traditions as the heritage of humankind.
In 1995 Thich Nhat Hanh ordained our senior facilitator, Leslie Rawls, as a Buddhist minister in the Order of Interbeing (Tiep Hien). Thich Nhat Hanh gave Leslie the Dharma name Chan Giâc Xú, which means True Realm of Awakening. She has been nominated to receive Lamp Transmission from Thich Nhat Hanh and will become a Dharmacharya (Dharma Teacher) in his lineage. In 2007, Leslie traveled to Vietnam with Thich Nhat Hanh, monastics from his monasteries, and lay friends from around the world as part of an international delegation for peace and reconciliation.
Leslie has studied Buddhism since 1970. She has been actively involved in the international community of practitioners in the lineage of Thich Nhat Hanh for nearly two decades. She was lay coordinator for many of Thich Nhat Hanh’s North American retreats in the 1990’s. Leslie edited The Mindfulness Bell from 1996-2001 and still helps maintain the online directories of Plum Village Sanghas around the world. (See www.iamhome.org.) She regularly leads mindfulness retreats and community Days of Mindfulness in the southeast. Please check our Retreats page for upcoming practice opportunities. Leslie also leads occasional events with inmate Sanghas in the North Carolina Department of Corrections.
We have a yahoogroup for Sangha news and announcements by email. Membership is restricted to prevent spamming. If you would like to join, please visit the group at charlottemindfulness and send an email request to join that explains your interest and location. |
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For more information about Charlotte Community of Mindfulness, Leslie Rawls leslierawls@carolina.rr.com Tel: 704-583-1279 PO Box 38325 Charlotte, NC 28278 |
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Updated Charlotte, North Carolina |