About

The function of meditation practice is to heal and transform. Meditation, as understood in my tradition of Buddhism, helps us to be whole, and to look deeply into ourselves and around us in order to realize what is really there. The energy that is used in meditation is mindfulness; to look deeply is to use mindfulness to light up the recesses of our mind, or to look into the heart of things in order to see their true nature.

Mindfulness is the practice of dwelling fully in the present moment, to be deeply in touch with what is going on within and around us so that we can cultivate greater awareness and be more alive in our daily existence. Laughing Rivers Sangha is one of hundreds of communities worldwide that practices mindfulness as taught by Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Our sangha, or community, has been in existence in Pittsburgh since 1991.

Laughing Rivers Sangha meets weekly to practice mindful sitting and walking meditation as a community. After our meditation period, we usually listen to a reading or a Dharma talk, which is followed by Dharma discussion (group sharing). Once a month we recite the Mindfulness Trainings together. We also gather regularly throughout the year for Days of Mindfulness and social gatherings to deepen our practice and build community. Twice a year we organize weekend retreats with an ordained Dharma teacher from Thich Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing.

We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh. Our meeting space is handicapped accessible and convenient to a number of bus lines. Whether you are new to meditation or an experienced practitioner looking for a way to deepen or renew your practice, you are welcome to join us any Tuesday evening. There is no expectation about "joining" the sangha, and people are welcome to visit as often or infrequently as they wish.

If you would like to come and practice with Laughing Rivers Sangha, we invite you contact us to arrange for an introductory session before your first visit. The introduction is designed with both beginners and more experienced meditators in mind and provides an opportunity to learn about our tradition and its specific practices. Introductions are usually scheduled on Tuesdays before our weekly practice period.

We look forward to meeting you and sharing the practice of mindfulness with you. Please contact Deborah Brooks at 412-241-1649 or dleebrooks@gmail.com for further information or to schedule an introductory session.