Newly Updated  Sept. 1, 2010

Welcome To


Converging Paths
Sandusky Bay Meditation Center

Room 405 Feick Building • 158 East Market Street • Downtown Sandusky, Ohio



A peaceful and open space for group meditation
Celebrating 3 years of being open.

Tuesday Sept. 8th, 7pm...Wisdom Talk

Pema Chodron...Audio Talk
Sitting...stretching...audio talk followed by discussion
Join us. 



Converging Paths

Spring 2010 Meditation Retreat

at the Pines









 Honoring all wisdom traditions, we seek to establish a better understanding of self and others through clearing the mind, lowering anxiety, and deepening our meditation experience with the help of others.
NOTE: Beginning in September 2009 we will begin a series of Wisdom Talks to deepen our practice. The talks will be on the first Tuesday of the month and consist of recordings from some of our many respected teachers of meditation and peaceful living. The talks will come at the end of our silent sitting and be followed by responses from participants. We invite you to join us.
Sept. 8th Recorded Talk by Ezra Bayda

Oct. 6th Recorded Talk by Jon Kabbit-Zinn

***
Nov. 3rd Recorded Talk by Tara Brach

To watch Tara on You-Tube click here
***
Dec. 1st Recorded Talk by Thich Nhat Hahn

To watch Thich Nhat Hahn Video click here
***
Jan. 5th 2010 Recorded Talk by Jack Kornfield

Visit Jack Kornfield's Home Pages Here
***
*Feb. 2nd, 2010 Video Talk by Pema Chodron



Visit Pema Chodron on When Things Fall Apart

***

*March 2, 2010 Wisdom Talk, video entitled
Illuminating the Chakras by Anodea Judith,
author of Wheels of Light.
Visit her Web Page
***

April 6th, 2010 Joanna Macy Wisdon Talk
Share this video of this eco-philosopher
with us.
***

May 4th, 2010 John Daido Loori Wisdom Talk
Share the video "The Still Point" by this
noted Zen teacher. He treats basic concepts
of zazen,hara,samadhi.
A brief introduction video
***

July 6th, 2010...Recording of Tara Brach
Talk on Meditation and Healing
To watch Tara on You-Tube click here
***
August 10th...Live Talk from Laura Smith
Body/Mind--Health and Healing

View her webpage
Some Additional Links:

Our New Water Bottles Are In
We will have them at our next meditation session.
We also have a new water delivery system
for filling them, thanks to Jan and her sister Pat.

Some Images of Other Wisdom Teachers
Ann Smith's Reiki & Counseling Center
Larry Smith has a new book of poems, translations
from the Zen monk poet Taigu Ryokan(1758-1831).
Tu Fu Talks with Barack Obama (YouTube)
by Larry Smith
Toledo Zen Center
House of Yin in Huron, Ohio
Cloud Water Zendo, Cleveland
Print our Flier. Come to our Space.


New video Message
from Converging Paths
Ann Smith Shares a Guided Meditation
Erie Wire's Video of Converging Paths
New





Photo from Sandusky Register by (c)Luke Wark/ January 2008



Entering  the meditation area

Some Basics:  To help us create a peaceful meditation setting, please:

1. Enter the room silently and approach the meditation area.

2. Before crossing the threshold, remove your shoes and place them in the designated area.

3. Find a seat on a cushion, meditation bench or chair provided.
     (Bring your own  cushions if you wish.)

4. Read through the evening’s schedule below and wait quietly for the session to begin.

GENERAL EVENING SCHEDULE

1. Ringing of the bowl gong.

2. Guided relaxation meditation focusing on centering and letting go.  (20 min.)

3. Shamatha Yoga stretches for meditators (demonstrated; do what   you feel comfortable with.) (10 min.)

4. Mindfulness meditation with basic starting guidance. (20 min.)

5. Individual response and giving thanks. (10 min.)

6. Release with loving kindness:


       

GATHA WALKING MEDITATION

                 (From Thich Nhat Hahn to Ezra Bayda to Converging Paths)

 

Another form of walking meditation for walking the neighborhood, halls, woods.

Relax and enjoy just walking…engage the senses…and silently repeat a verse,

or gatha, over and over.           Here is a suggested gatha:

 

When I walk…the mind will wander…

With each sound…the mind returns.

With each breath…the heart opens.

With each step…I touch the earth

 

…walk…wander

…sound…returns

…breath…opens

…step…earth

 

Repeat as you enjoy your walking meditation.
Also to aid you in your practice:
Five Mindfulness Trainings...from Thich Nhat Hanh
(*Converging Paths is not affiliated with a particular religion, yet responsive to the wisdom of many spiritual paths.)

Spring-Summer SCHEDULE—7:00-8:30 PM
Room 405 Feick Building • 158 East Market Street • Downtown Sandusky, Ohio

Some Things We have Done

An Event Shared with the Community

Here is the link to the film web site.

Note: The film was widely and well received by over 130 persons
in January 2009. Thanks to all who make it possible.


Our Converging Paths Meditation Center
has been sitting for almost three years now.

Many things have happened in that year beside our regular sittings:
talks at Firelands College and Christie Lane School,
Firelands College students coming to the center,
our monthly Wisdom Talks, articles in Sandusky Register and Erie Wire;
water bottles created, t-shirts, a film on mountain monks,
a visit to Art Seen gallery, a labyrinth walk, book and tape collection,
2 day retreat Spring 2009, another planned for Summer 2010
 Join us when you can.

   Note: We sit on each Tuesday evening of the week. 7:00-8:30
 

Gathering to meditate before session.

   A minimum donation of $2.00/session will help cover our expenses.

For additional information, or to receive information, please contact
Jan & Lou Young at Jccyoung@aol.com or Larry and Ann Smith at smithcours@smithdocs.net

    THE HUMAN ROUTE

   Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed--that is human.
   When you are born, where do you come from?
   When you die, where do you go?
   Life is like a floating cloud which disappears.
   The floating cloud itself originally does not exist.
   Life and death, coming and going, are also like that.
   But there is one thing which always remains clear.
   It is pure and clear, not depending on life and death.

   What, then, is the one pure and clear thing?



New:  T-Shirts
Converging Paths Meditation Center logo.
White on black...All sizes S-5X, several styles.
Men's/ Women's/ short/ long sleeve... $12-$15
To order contact Jan Young...

or phone at 419-684-5128 
[Approximate image...Lettering will be on back of shirt.]
  
  




Exterior view from the center

Join us if you will.



Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma