Tuesday Evening Guidelines
The Santa Fe Vipassana Sangha meets at Mountain Cloud Zen Center, 7241 Old Santa Fe Trail. On Tuesday evenings, we have a silent meditation beginning at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 7:15 p.m. Following announcements, there is usually a dharma talk which lasts until 8:15 p.m. and is often followed by a question and answer period. We ask our teachers to end the discussion by 8:30 p.m. Our teachers are generally from the Western Vipassana tradition, but we also invite teachers from other disciplines to give dharma talks.
Please be seated in the zendo before 6:30 p.m. If you are unable to be on time, you may still attend, but be certain to enter or leave the zendo as unobtrusively as possible.
Dana or generosity is one of the integral pillars of the dharma, along with cultivation of sila or harmonious living and the panna or development of wisdom. Through our generosity, we express appreciation to the teachers who give freely of their wisdom and experience, and we maintain the sangha by contributing to its ongoing expenses.
Parking
Parking at Mountain Cloud can be a problem, especially in the winter. Please park only on the right side of the road as you approach the main building. Parking in the circular “turn-around” area should be in obvious right angle parking spots only, and there should be no parallel parking in this area. Do not park in the two reserved spots closest to the lower walkway or in such a way as to block the handicap access road on the north side of the building.
Fragrance Free
This is a fragrance-free facility and we ask you to be mindful of not using any products that cause other people adverse reactions. This includes many soaps, shampoos, lotions, sprays, etc. There is a notice posted on the bulletin board that further explains this policy and includes a list of some fragrance free products. All functions of the SFVS are fragrance free, regardless of where they are held.
Sangha Meetings, Board Meetings and Classes
The SFVS has 3-4 sangha meetings per year, usually held in the dining room of Mountain Cloud Zen Center after a Tuesday sit. We operate on a consensus basis. The board of directors meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Mountain Cloud. All are welcome to attend the sangha meetings and the board meetings.
We offer a variety of courses to help our members develop and deepen their practice. An introductory course in the practice of Insight Meditation begins on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m. and runs for four consecutive weeks. Additional introductory classes and discussions of special topics are offered during the year. Please check the web site for further information.
There is a lending library located in the office. Please follow the directions provided for check out. If you wish to donate reading material, contact Diane Block at 984-0687.
