We gather here to look deeply at life.
Everyone is welcome to practice here.
This is a place to express ourselves honestly and openly, without fear,
No matter our concerns or persuasions,
No matter our race, gender, or abilities,
No matter our community standing, history, or experiences.
We are grateful for each person.
May we see each other’s depth and wisdom clearly.
*written and approved by the Open Way Sangha Program Council 2023
You are invited to join us for Monday night practice via Zoom. Please see upcoming events for meeting dates. All are welcome!
Advance registration is required:
First Monday: The Five Mindfulness Trainings Recitation Ceremony, a ritual affirming our practice of mindfulness
Second Monday: Silent & guided meditation
Third Monday: Dharma potpourri
Fourth Monday: The book, Unshakeable by Jo-Ann Rosen, to seed our Dharma sharing
Fifth Monday: Come be surprised!
A visitor to HCML may notice smiles, laughter and atmosphere of dharma friendship that forms a safe container, a dharma embrace, that can hold the joys and suffering of life. We do our best to create a space for what is. It takes a community. We seek to learn from everyone, newcomer and experienced practitioner alike.
HCML brought to Kansas City mindfulness practice in the Plum Village Tradition of Thích Nhât Hanh in 1997, making it one of the longest standing meditation communities in the area. Founder Bethany Klug says of her 1996 visit to Plum Village, “It was the first time I experienced people living happily together. I learned happiness is a practice that is available to us in every moment.” Profoundly moved by this experience, she shared the Plum Village practice at Unity Temple on the Plaza’s American Buddhist Center. Interest in the practice grew and in September 1997, HCML formed and has met weekly ever since.
HCML has offered days of mindfulness, residential and non-residential mindfulness retreats since 1997. We share the Plum Village practice by supporting new sanghas in the region. Please contact us if you are interested in forming a sangha. A desire for a community to support a life of compassion, peace and joy is the only prerequisite.
Members of our caretaking council provide spiritual leadership and govern the Sangha by consensus, as established in our bylaws.
Some resources on consensus that guide us can be found on the Practice Resources page.
“A teacher can be important, and also the teachings, but friends are the most essential element to the practice. It is difficult if not impossible to practice without the Sangha” – Thích Nhât Hanh
Here are some things we hear about HCML
In response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, three Washington DC area mindfulness communities practicing in the Plum Village tradition have come together with a project that is a concrete manifestation of our engaged practice. HCML has joined the project as a supporting sangha. Learn more about the project and how you can donate.