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Meditation Group

"If you want to understand your mind, sit and observe it." 

~ Joseph Goldstein

"Meditation is hard work, but it is the most rewarding thing we can do with our time."

~ Ani Tenzin Palmo

Overview

The Main Line Unitarian Church (MLUC) provides a caring community for the support of each individual's meditation practice. Within MLUC, opportunities are provided for meditation instruction, exploration, and support. Through a regular meditation practice, our hope is that we will all increase in our self-awareness, that we will become more open and present to our experiences, and that we will continue to grow through a discovery of our capacity for compassion and loving kindness.

Support a Meditation Practice

One of the most effective ways to support a meditation practice is to be part of a meditation group. MLUC hosts a weekly adult meditation group as well as an introductory class. These groups are open to church members, friends, and visitors.

Adult Meditation Group: Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in Room 208

Introduction to Meditation: Sundays at 8:30 a.m. in Room 208

Moderator: MLUC member This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (610-293-3233).

Why Meditate?

People begin a meditation practice for many reasons. In today's fast-paced society, meditation provides a pathway to reducing stress. It has been demonstrated that meditation improves focus and concentration. Meditation has many benefits for personal well-being and for the world, including increased self-awareness and compassion.

Types of Meditation

Many types of meditation exist, from breath-centered meditation, to walking meditation, to a more mindful approach to washing the dishes. Meditation practices are found in a number of spiritual traditions, including Buddhist, Quaker, Roman Catholic, to name a few. The meditation community at MLUC explores and supports all types of meditation, since the "right fit" depends on the individual and her intentions.

Meditation cultivates two aspects of mindfulness: 1) calm and focused attention, and 2) self-awareness. Calm attention is cultivated by focusing your mind on an "anchor" such as the breath, a mantra, or the flame in a chalice. When thoughts arise, we label them as thoughts and return our focus to the anchor. Once a foundation of calm attention is developed, self-awareness is possible. Self-awareness is a curiosity about the mind's contents as they arise, with self-compassion and acceptance. Through self-awareness, habits of mind are observed – wholesome ones can be strengthened and unwholesome ones can be minimized or extinguished by discontinuing reinforcement for them.

Useful Links

Philadelphia Meditation Society and Center 

Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship

Philadelphia Buddhist Association

Additional Resources

If you are a member of a Unitarian Universalist Church interested in starting your own meditation group, MLUC member This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is happy to share his thoughts as well as materials he has collected or created.