Peace is every step.

Somatic Movement Class
Kelly McConohy, a practitioner with the Davenport Sangha and a yoga teacher in training, has been developing her skills in somatic movement. And she’s offered to drive to the Iowa City area monthly for a few months, starting in October, to offer--at no cost--a series of 1.5-hour movement classes to anyone in the Sangha who may be interested.  As Kelly describes it, “The practice is not yoga. It's a series of movements; titrating and pendulating movements to develop sensory resilience by building heat in the body through repetitive movements, and then letting it go with traditional yoga asana.”

One option we’re exploring is gathering late morning on the second or fourth Saturdays of the month, from about 10 a.m. to noon, possibly at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Coralville. Kelly indicated that the class isn’t a series, but rather each class is standalone (though people are welcome to attend, and will certainly benefit from attending, as many classes as they can). 

Before we move forward, secure space, and commit Kelly’s time, we want to gauge interest in this class offering. If you think you would attend at least one of her sessions, please email Stephen at windingpathsangha@gmail.com soon. 

Buddhist Book & Podcast Discussion Group Meets Sunday, September 13
Join us for the next Buddhist book and podcast discussion group from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, September 13, in the Iowa City Public Library, Room E, where we'll share our favorite books, poems, and other Buddhist material. There will also be discussion of Episode 28 of the Plum Village podcast, The Way Out Is In: "Understanding How Our Mind Works. " Questions, email Jack Terndrup at jackterndrup@gmail.com. 

Practice engaged Buddhism by joining the Beloved Community Circle
If you’re looking for ways to take your mindfulness practice out in the world, consider joining the Iowa City Beloved Community Circle (BCC). This small, intimate, local group of 3-8 practitioners manifesting the spirit of Beloved Community meets from 1-3 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month, often in members’ homes or elsewhere.

The group, part of an online international Sangha, is guided in part by the https://belovedcommunitycircles.org/handbook, and it has three primary aspirations:

• To practice mindfulness.

• To care for one another and engage in action.

• To be self-directed, with any actions chosen by the group.

To learn more, please contact Melinda at melindawings13@gmail.com.

Ongoing
For the latest, most accurate event information, please visit our calendar page and subscribe to our emails list (see the link to the right) so we can alert you about changes, cancellations, and new opportunities. 

Here are some of our ongoing gatherings:

• In-Person Meditation: 7 p.m. every Wednesday  in the St. Francis Chapel (second floor) of Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City. IMPORTANT: Because Trinity requires its front door to be locked at all times, we try to have a volunteer staff it from about 10 minutes to 7 until about 7.  If you arrive a few minutes late,  please press the doorbell near the entrance and (hopefully) we'll hear you and can come let you in. Recitation of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings will follow our meditation session on the first Wednesday of each month. The trainings are Buddhist precepts developed by Thich Nhat Hanh to provide ethical guidance for life. Those who wish to stay after our meditation time form a circle and take turns reaching each of the trainings. 

• Walking Meditation at Hickory Hill Park (Conklin Lane Entrance): 10 a.m. on the first  Saturday of every month and during the warmer months on the third Saturday (check the calendar to confirm when we're meeting), followed by mindful coffee/tea and conversation at Press Coffee, 1120 N Dodge St, Iowa City.

• Men's Group: 8 a.m. the fourth Sunday of every month, at Press Coffee, 1120 N Dodge St, Iowa City.

• Winding Path Sangha Women’s Group: The Winding Path Women's Group meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Friday of each month, sometimes online, sometimes in person. The gathering is an opportunity for women to get to know one another, explore their meditation and mindfulness practices, and build a sense of community. All are welcome, regardless whether you’re part of the Winding Path Sangha. For more information, and to join an email list for the group, contact Kathleen at palmreaderkathleend@gmail.com. 

• Community Garden: Winding Path has a community garden plot! If you're interested in participating or supporting the effort, please contact Janis Russell at janis-russell@uiowa.edu.

Thank you for practice, your friendship, and your smile.