Resources in the Sangha

The reason we created this organization is to support the spiritual quest of our members. Perhaps the most vital thing we offer is the help and encouragement of the other members of the sangha.

Sunday Evening Meetings
We have a regular meeting every Sunday at 6:00 pm. We are currently meeting at Unity Church, 1490 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, 93401. We usually meditate for half an hour and then have some kind of program, which might be a lecture, a group activity, or a recorded talk. The schedule is listed on this website (go to the home page, then click on the most recent "Schedule and Articles" link). On the first Sunday of each month there is an optional ceremony 20 minutes before the start of meditation for those who are interested in reciting some traditional Buddhist texts together, and on the fourth Sunday we serve tea before meditation at 5:30.

Meditation Instruction
On the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month we offer meditation instruction for beginners before the meditation period. This begins at 5pm.

Retreats and Workshops
Teachers from outside our community from time to time are invited to lead weekend meditation retreats and workshops. Occasionally workshops and peer-led practice days (which we call "Days of Mindfulness") are conducted by our own members.

Website and Email list.
In addition to general information about the sangha, this website contains a quarterly e-newsletter with our program schedule and various relevant articles. You can also find downloads, including recordings of some talks available in mp3 format, a list of upcoming retreats, and other items such as links to related websites. 

If you provide an email address when you fill out our contact list signup form, you'll be notified whenever a new e-newsletter is posted to the website. We will only use your email address for important sangha business. For communications that may not be about essential White Heron Sangha matters, such as notices of relevant events sponsored by other organizations, or personal messages from sangha members, we use the list-serve, which is described below.

List-serve
The list-serve is separate from the official sangha email list, and offers a less formal mode of email communication among sangha members. With it, a member can post an email notice that is automatically sent to all the people on the list. It is a valuable way for us to share our dharma-related thoughts and concerns. The sangha also uses it to forward information from other organizations about events that may be of interest to our members. If you are familiar with the ways of the internet, you can join by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/whiteheronsangha
and clicking the "Join This Group" button. If you'd like to join without navigating the white-water of Yahoo.com, email your request to Peter Mugan Schellin (mugan@mugan.org).

Audio Recordings
We often record the talks given at our Sunday meetings and retreats. However, we don't have the resources to maintain a complete and systematic archive. Currently, our policy is this: if a talk you want to hear is coming up, but you won't be able to attend, contact us in advance and we'll make every effort to record it and see that you get a copy. If you want to hear a recent talk but failed to notify us in advance, ask anyway--we may have it. For single talks we can provide either an mp3 file or an audio CD. For retreats with lots of talking, mp3 may be the only option.
Contact Mick Malotte (mmalotte@charter.net) or Michael Moran (mjmoran@charter.net) with your requests.

Library
We have a library of books, cassettes, and magazines that can be checked out at our Sunday meetings.

Study Groups
Many sangha members belong to a small group for reading, meditation, and discussion. If you are interested in joining a study group, contact Rosemary Donnell (rtdonnell@sbcglobal.net).

Satellite Sanghas
For people living in the North and South parts of the county, there are additional/alternative meditation groups affiliated with White Heron Sangha.

North County Sangha

South County Meditation Group

Childcare Reimbursement Program
White Heron Sangha offers reimbursement of up to $20 for childcare expenses incurred during our Sunday evening meetings or White Heron Sangha sponsored retreats. Vouchers are available at Sunday sangha meetings.

Miscellaneous
We sponsor other activities such as potluck get-togethers, and a ceremony on Vesak (the Buddha's birthday).

Volunteering
All of the functions of the sangha are accomplished through the efforts of volunteers. We encourage everyone help out in some capacity. Volunteering is a great great way to become more connected to the sangha while developing your practice of generosity. If you would like to help, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Dorothy Curhan dorothycurhan@charter.net.

We have no membership fees--all activities are supported by contributions (called dana), with the exception of suggested fees to cover the costs of weekend retreats (special arrangements can be made for anyone who can't afford the fee for a retreat).  Your tax-deductible contribution is always appreciated.