Common Ground is an independent meditation center dedicated to mindfulness. It is rooted in the spirit of Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, as well as other western meditation centers that value skillful means to awaken wisdom, compassion, and freedom.
The Center offers a variety of programs designed to meet the needs of a diverse community of practitioners. All programs are rooted in the vipassana meditation tradition and mindfulness meditation practice.
Introductory Classes: These weekly classes offer instruction and teachings that help you begin to meditate or deepen your existing practice. Each class includes a guided meditation, dharma talk, and discussion.
Weekly Groups: These groups are open to all meditators and are offered on an ongoing basis. Each group is a cornerstone for your meditation practice, providing regular instruction and support to assist you in bringing mindfulness into every moment of your life.
Daylong and Half-Day Retreats: These daylong retreats provide a space for a sustained period of meditation practice to deepen your understanding and insight. They are a great way to reconnect with your meditation practice in a relaxing environment and are offered throughout the year.
Monthly Sutta Study: This monthly study group is for people who are leaders or volunteers at the center and who have been maintaining a daily meditation practice for over five years and have done substantial retreat practice. It is an opportunity to delve into the original teachings of the Buddha, as they are translated into English.