I don't really know why but I'm a person that is a lot of shame.

I started meditating following the book No mud No lotus some time ago. I have the feeling that it might work because I have been able to relax some emotions (like anger) and it does feel like the suffering gets transformed like the book says.

But shame is a whole other matter. I get physically relaxed when breathing with it, but it remains constant.

Has any gone through this already?

I'm asking because the nearest practice center is a 7 hour drive from where I live, and most of our sangha members cannot do that, nor can they afford to pay for even a personal retreat. I facilitate our local sangha, although I'm not a dharma teacher. I wondered if other local sanghas do their own retreats, and if so, what is the structure? I could see our sangha doing a weekend retreat nearby for a lower cost as opposed to driving a full day like that.

Hello there! I have given this a lot of thought over the last year or so. I feel called to at least learn more about Order of Interbeing membership. However, living here in the Midwestern United States, mentors are hard to come by. I facilitate our local sangha, but I am by no means a dharma teacher, just a facilitator.

I am in Illinois if that helps. If there is anyone in this sub that might point me in the direction of a teacher/mentor, I would be so grateful!

I'm also planning to reach out to a couple of sanghas in Chicago to see if I can find someone. I may also reach out to a monastery to see if they have a suggestion. I did see a couple of OI members at the retreat last month but did not have a chance to stop and talk to any of them.

Thank you!

Dear everyone, dear Thay 🪷

just a few weeks ago, I had the chance to attend my first retreat at Plum Village, the Wake Up Retreat 2026.

As I made a YouTube video about my experience, including my impressions of the monastics and the practice, as well as some more personal sharing, I thought this would be a fitting place to share it.

Maybe it can be of help to those who haven’t been to Plum Village before but are considering going. And maybe it can be of interest to others as well.

May you all be well, and thank you for your practice. 🙏✨

Sister Chan Tue Nghiem