Freedom Meditation at Swinton Garden

PURPOSE
Why meditate? In a word, freedom. Freedom from suffering, freedom from craving, freedom from depression, freedom from anxiety. When we meditate, we are free from these and other forms of suffering. Why? Because when we meditate well, there is nothing to do, nowhere to go. Just being here now. Ah, but that takes practice. And practice requires fellowship. And fellowship requires spiritual friends! We meditate together to encourage each other on the path to true freedom.

DESCRIPTION
Our group is a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced meditators, traveling the path of awakening together. We practice silent sitting meditation for the most part. However, the meditation can be guided to support beginners. No experience necessary. First-time meditators are welcome! Good for long-time meditators as well. One intention required: to meditate with other people at different points on the path in a supportive and loving environment.

FORMAT
The basic 1-hour format is as follows:

• Arrive and get settled — 5 minutes
• Sitting meditation — 20 minutes (silent / guided)
• Inquiry (Q&A/reflection) — 10-15 minutes
• Spiritual reading (Dhammapada) — 10-15 minutes
• End — 5 minutes

It’s ok to arrive late. A little meditation is better than none at all! Just enter the space quietly and take your place.

LOCATION
The Swinton Community Growing Project is a continuing pursuit of consciousness awakening, seeking innovative, meaningful ways to grow organic food, culture, and community.

RAIN PLAN
In case of rain, meet at Delray Beach Children's Garden, 137 SW 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach, in the chickee hut.

PARTICIPATION
You are welcome to attend each week or whenever you like. Meditators sit on the ground or on benches. If you prefer to sit on the ground, please bring your own mat, blanket, or cushion. If you prefer a chair, you can use a garden bench or please bring your own folding chair. First-time meditators are invited to greet the teacher before the meditation begins and request instructions.

GIFTS
Meditation is a gift to humanity, the way out of delusion. These weekly sessions are offered free of charge, at no cost. Space at the garden is also offered free of charge, but we accept donations as a gift to the garden for use of the space. Maintaining the garden involves several costs and expenses, so our gift supports the maintenance of the garden. Contributing to the collection is completely voluntary and never required. No one is ever turned away for not giving. 

SOURCES
The Noble Eightfold Path, the Beatitudes, and the Tao Te Ching serve as our primary guides to awakening. Meditation group leader Pablo F. del Real S. has been practicing sitting meditation for 13 years. He is certified in the Five Mindfulness Trainings by Thich Nhat Hanh. Pablo is the founder of The Way, a mindfulness education practice. In 2014, he discovered the equivalence of the Noble Eightfold Path and the Beatitudes.

SPONSOR
Sponsored by The Way, mindfulness education and practice. https://www.theway.education