Welcome to River Valley Sangha: Mindfulness Group


Meditation and mindfulness practice in the Plum Village/Thich Nhat Hanh Tradition each Thursday night from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

For more information about attendance or practice, you may email Paul Carreras (call 501-413-7808) or Laura Weems (call 501-425-5969, but email is preferred).

Visitors are most welcome to meet with our Sangha. No previous meditation experience is required. However, if you are new to EBS or new to meditation practice, please contact Paul,  in advance to arrange to meet at 6:45pm for a brief introduction to our center, meditation and our practice.

Mats and cushions are provided, or you may bring your own. Chairs are also available for those who prefer them. Dress is casual.

Weekly practice consists of 

  • Sitting meditation

  • Walking meditation

  • Reading and mindful discussion

  • Recitations from Order of Mindfulness Practice (available for review below) to expand our understanding of Buddhist principles, teachings and wisdom

  • Enjoying the present moment

 

 River Valley Sangha Order of Mindfulness Practice Booklet (link)

 

Other regular and special activities

  • About every three months, our community enjoys a potluck together.

  • Retreats and events led by the monastics of Thich Nhat Hanh can be found at Magnolia Grove Monastery and Meditation Practice Center Events & Retreats tab at magnoliagrovemonastery.org.

Magnolia Grove Monastery and Magnolia Grove Meditation Practice Center

Magnolia Grove Monastery in Batesville, MS, is a residential monastery established by Thich Nhat Hanh. It is simultaneously Magnolia Grove Meditation Practice Center. It is a 3 hour drive from Little Rock. Retreats and Days of Mindfulness are scheduled for all to attend. Information is available at: www.magnoliagrovemonastery.org.

Our Teacher, Thich Nhất Hạnh

Thich Nhat Hanh (addressed by followers as Thay, or teacher) was a Zen Master, teacher, scholar, poet, human rights activist and has published more than 100 books, including more than 40 in English. He was born in Vietnam in 1926 and became a monk at the age of 16.

During the Vietnam War, Thay maintained political neutrality. He steadfastly practiced Engaged Buddhism, founding the School of Youth for Social Service, rallying 10,00 young people throughout Vietnam to work with communities and war victims in the Buddhist spirit of compassion and non-violence. In 1966 he toured the United States to speak out about the war and was nominated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1967 for the Nobel Peace Prize.  Ultimately, he was exiled from his home country.

In 1966 while in Vietnam, Thay established Tiep Hien, the Order of Interbeing. In 1982, he established Plum Village in France as his meditation center, monastery and Sangha. He has subsequently established monasteries or meditation centers in several countries, and for more than two decades he toured the US every other year conducting retreats.

Our beloved teacher passed away on January 22, 2022. We commemorate his life with our spiritual practice and mindfulness.

Thay was an important influence in the development of Western Buddhism. His teachings and mindfulness practices appeal to people from various religious, spiritual, and political backgrounds. We have several of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books available for sale in our bookstore.

Monastic Practice Centers in the Plum Village Tradition

Europe

United States

Asia-Pacific