Heartland Community of Mindful Living – Plum Village Sanghas of the Central Plains

Heartland Community of Mindful Living (HCML)

Whether you are a beginner, or have practiced for years, in this or another tradition, we are hopeful that you will find solidity and peace, and a true experience of community while practicing with us in the Plum Village Tradition.

Practice with HCML

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:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/upUqf-6trDou3OIz1JJiF8Fq5OU0WMrpUA

7:00 pm
Social time (optional)
7:13 pm
Enjoy your mindful breathing in silence
7:15 pm
Sitting and walking meditation
8:00 pm
Evening program with dharma sharing (except 2nd Monday)

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 Other Shore to seed Dharma sharing

Fifth Monday: Come be surprised!

What to Expect

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 History

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.

Service to Our Region

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.

Spiritual Leadership

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.

Support HCML

via PayPal

Contact HCML

via Email

Describing Our Community.

Here are some things we hear about HCML

Warm and welcoming
Thích Nhât Hanh’s energy is palpable
A practice home
Wholesome, supportive spiritual friends

“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