
What we’re about
Welcome Meditators of All Traditions & Experience Levels!
The purpose of this group, as the Buddha said, is to seek out "wise and beneficial friends" who support us and our Meditation practice. We are a group of beginning and advanced meditators, extending an open invitation to anyone seeking to develop a meditation practice that is an integral part of a caring/care-full relationship to oneself and the world.
All teachers agree: The key to a successful meditation practice is regular practice. The development of Wisdom through regular meditation practice can lead to a decrease of "suffering" as well as an increase in Inner Peace and Compassion for oneself and others. This group is open to people who realize the benefits of meditating together and want to make a dedicated effort to sustain a once-weekly sitting meditation (with instruction, as needed). Most weeks, a reading with brief discussion and mingling follows.
This group is open to all schools of thought, meditation formats and experience levels. People of any religious tradition—Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic or without label for their spirituality—are welcome. People of all ethnicities, gender, sexual orientation and country of origin are welcome! We strive to lead lives guided by ethical commitments as set forth by the eightfold path articulated in Buddhist tradition while recognizing our unity with those from all the great spiritual traditions of the World.
We are a peer-lead group with facilitation of the evenings rotating between six group members. We are fellow practitioners and accept no remuneration for our time. Our benefit is the opportunity to practice with others on the path!
Please join us! You are most welcome.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- America Our Inheritance – A Shem Center interfaith respectful gathering – ZoomLink visible for attendees
A Shem Center interfaith event
a respectful community gathering
Sunday, April 27, 2025
6:00 – 7:30 pm Central Time (please check the time in your area)The Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality follows up their Inauguration Day alternative gathering when two hundred guests reflected on the significance of the day, heard from respected patriots, and met new friends during break-out times.
You are respectfully summoned to our fourth post-inauguration day Zoom event. We extend a warm welcome to newcomers and return visitors, to affirm our citizen/immigrant membership and love for America. Our desire to claim our respectful, welcoming and sacred inheritance is what calls us to this gathering.
Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality promotes world peace through experiences of inclusiveness and respect.
Register in advance – details:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EZY8jnS3QkeCENR7s-CPBQAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Questions: adshem@gmail.comAnd if you missed the first gathering on January 20, you can view some of the conversation at
https://shemcenter.org/america-our-inheritance-an-interfaith-respectful-community-gathering/ - CHICAGO MEDITATES - 4/28 - Holy Trinity/ZoomHoly Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL
Everyone is welcome to join our weekly meditation on Monday evening at 7:00pm. All levels of experience are welcome. If you are new to meditation, make that known to the facilitator so we can provide some guidance for you. We have up to 30 minute silent sitting sessions, so some level of acclimation to stillness is helpful. Though we are secular, you'll find Buddhism, Vipassana, and mindfulness are common themes here. THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE AT HOLY TRINITY, 1218 ADDISON, CHICAGO, 2ND FLOOR, ST. MARK'S ROOM.
The evening will include silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, a reading and reflection with time to share with one another. Some times there is very accessible Qigong as a way to tune into the body.
Parking passes are available for the lot behind Missio Dei, 1242 Addison (the lot is accessed from the alley behind Missio Dei). 383 neighborhood parking passes are available for $1.A NOTE ABOUT COVID SAFETY: This invitation is extended to all who have been fully vaccinated. MASKING IS OPTIONAL. For more information on Covid safety practices for this group, please read here. If Covid levels change to the "high" level, masking is required. Check the website for the evening's masking policy.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH, A HANDFUL OF US ARE MEETING AT 6PM FOR DINNER BEFORE MEDITATION! BRING A SANDWICH, SALAD OR WHATEVER YOU WISH AND JOIN US!
There is a $1 voluntary donation for the evening to help defray the cost of our rent at Holy Trinity.
Those who would like to join us by Zoom can join using the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89486909390?pwd=zitbdRiFgIB8sOmefmr1xbwDYzuP2G.1Meeting ID: 894 8690 9390
Passcode: 519383If you have trouble getting into Zoom, leave a message on meetup.
- CHICAGO MEDITATES - 5/2 - Holy Trinity/ZoomHoly Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL
Everyone is welcome to join our weekly meditation on Monday evening at 7:00pm. All levels of experience are welcome. If you are new to meditation, make that known to the facilitator so we can provide some guidance for you. We have up to 30 minute silent sitting sessions, so some level of acclimation to stillness is helpful. Though we are secular, you'll find Buddhism, Vipassana, and mindfulness are common themes here. THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE AT HOLY TRINITY, 1218 ADDISON, CHICAGO, 2ND FLOOR, ST. MARK'S ROOM.
The evening will include silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, a reading and reflection with time to share with one another. Some times there is very accessible Qigong as a way to tune into the body.
Parking passes are available for the lot behind Missio Dei, 1242 Addison (the lot is accessed from the alley behind Missio Dei). 383 neighborhood parking passes are available for $1.A NOTE ABOUT COVID SAFETY: This invitation is extended to all who have been fully vaccinated. MASKING IS OPTIONAL. For more information on Covid safety practices for this group, please read here. If Covid levels change to the "high" level, masking is required. Check the website for the evening's masking policy.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH, A HANDFUL OF US ARE MEETING AT 6PM FOR DINNER BEFORE MEDITATION! BRING A SANDWICH, SALAD OR WHATEVER YOU WISH AND JOIN US!
There is a $1 voluntary donation for the evening to help defray the cost of our rent at Holy Trinity.
Those who would like to join us by Zoom can join using the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89486909390?pwd=zitbdRiFgIB8sOmefmr1xbwDYzuP2G.1Meeting ID: 894 8690 9390
Passcode: 519383If you have trouble getting into Zoom, leave a message on meetup.