The Prairie Sangha Network (Prairie Sangha of Champaign-Urbana, Plank Trail Sangha in Park Forest, Insight Chicago, and Peoria Insight Meditation Group) is a community of Buddhist practitioners of Vipassana (also referred to as Theravada, Insight, or Mindfulness Meditation) located in Illinois. Our founding teacher is Sandra Hammond, who has been a student of Vipassana Meditation since 1988 and is also a senior student of Ven. Tsoknyi Rinpoche III. [more information on Teachers]
Each Sangha has a Mentoring Program which provides basic instruction in Vipassana meditation to anyone who seeks it. For details, email or call the contact person for sangha of your choice.
The Sanghas and the Teachings are supported on a dana basis. Click on
Dana
to further understand this ancient practice for supporting the Buddhadhamma
and Sangha. All who are interested are welcome to sit with our groups.
Our locations and contact people are:
- Urbana, IL: Prairie Sangha
Contact: Tom [TomS at prairiesangha dot org] - Park Forest: Plank Trail Sangha
Contact: Bev [BevF at prairiesangha dot org] - Chicago, IL: Insight Chicago
Contact: Click here to go to Insight Chicago web site - Peoria, IL: Peoria Insight Meditation Group
Contact: Jean [JeanS at prairiesangha dot org]
Meditation Instruction
Instruction is available in the ancient, non-religious form of meditation
called Vipassana, as it was taught by the Buddha 2600 years ago. The practice
facilitates balanced awareness, which is grounded in the present moment, with
an emphasis on bringing mindfulness and compassion into our daily lives. We
teach our basic instruction through a process of personal mentoring. Click
here for Mentoring Programs.
Sitting Groups
Each sangha has a schedule of group sits. Click on the sangha of your
choice (on the left-hand panel) for the current schedule.
Dhamma Classes
The Dhamma is seeing clearly the true nature of all things. Waking
up to the Dhamma in our daily lives is the core of practice and the focus
of our classes. Through teachings, discussion, and introspection, we investigate
what really matters in our own lives. Click on the sangha of your choice for
the current class schedules.
Days of Mindfulness and Weekend Retreats
Days of Mindfulness are generally held on Sundays and run anywhere from four
to eight hours, and are usually organized to include periods of walking and
sitting meditations, meals, and a Dhamma talk. Periodically we have two-day
Weekend Retreats, and there is an annual four day retreat. All are welcome
to participate. For more information and a list of upcoming dates, see
the calendar section
of this website.
Individual Practice Development
The Individual Practice Development Program (IPD) is an extraordinary opportunity to make a commitment to one's practice for a fixed period of time. It is available to everyone in the sangha network - beginners to old hands. This commitment is a clear intention to do whatever possible to grow in our practice and realize the Dhamma in our lives. This offering is individualized, based on where we are in our practice and life circumstances, held by the container of the sangha.
During each period of IPD, Sandra Hammond will be our preceptor, meeting on the phone in group meetings or individually as requested. With Sandra, each of us individually tailors a daily practice that best suits us. We are also asked to sit with the sangha as regularly as possible, attend the DoMs in our area, and participate in the weekend and short retreats whenever they are offered.
Realistically, the individual circumstances of our life determine how much we are able to do, with commitment meaning a full intention to develop our practice and live in the Dhamma, using IPD as a support and container.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Sandra [SandraH at prairiesangha dot org].
