Meditation in Nature:
Drifting clouds is an outdoor meditation gathering. We meet to share our time and attention practicing nature meditation and having related discussion. The style of meditation we practice is a simple open awareness. We simply allow ourselves to be in the midst of our life and nature. We give our hearts the time and energy to gently open to the surroundings and to our life in general.
We come together both as students and as teachers since we all have experiences to share and we can all learn from others. As an informal group, we don’t have a curriculum or regulations, our guidance and direction comes from the heart. We gather as people who are dedicated to peace, kindness, contentment and simplicity. We meditate together, to calm our minds, to open our hearts and simply be in the midst of our life content and at ease right where we are. We follow a simple structure with a short introduction, a transition period into meditation, and end with a brief discussion.
Simplicity:
One of the core ideas of this gathering is simplicity. We choose to gather in open spaces, public land and wherever we may be invited. We gather out of shared interest and dedication to meditation and a life that is based around it. When we are finished with our time together we disperse into our daily lives, the group dissolves and melts into the world like clouds in the sky. May we each offer the world our cool shade and refreshing water to those who may need it.
Locations:
We meet in two main locations. Knoxville, TN and Tampa, FL.
The Knoxville meditation group is organized by John Simon, a long time student of meditation who has lead outdoor meditation gatherings since 2006. The group meets at a variety of parks in the area on a monthly or bi-monthly basis depending on interest. With an abundance of natural settings there are many possibilities for meetings. You can contact John by using the form on the contact page. See the calendar page for scheduled events.
The Tampa Meditation group is organized by Rick Ferriss, an experienced meditation leader and the founder of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship in the Tampa area. The group meets in a variety of natural locations as interest arises. There are many great parks and beaches in the tampa area for great nature meditation opportunities. Contact Rick through the contact form on this site. See the calendar page for scheduled events.
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Because we choose to keep our gatherings simple in their form, the group has no particular home, and as a result drifts from place to place. We may meet in settings that are serene and picturesque and also in more noisy, urban settings. The idea is to be able to dwell peacefully wherever we may roam. We will meet in public places and anywhere else we may be invited. Please see our ‘Gatherings’ section for the upcoming meditations.
Because we choose to use the outdoors as our place of practice, we will no doubt trade some of the comforts of indoor spaces for the freedom of not having the burden of financial obligations and material accumulations. We will meditate in whatever weather we are given, as long as it’s safe to do so. This will become some of our greatest blessings as well as some of the greatest lessons. We will do our best to ‘dress for the weather’, and make accommodations and practical adjustments based on the current situation. For example, if it’s raining, we may not do a seated meditation, but rather a walking meditation with umbrellas. We may also change the location in case of inclement weather and retreat under a shelter.
Hope to see you at the next gathering!
