Logistics:

When: 2nd & 4th Mondays, from 7:00-8:30+ (see below for more info)
Where: Awakenings Wellness Studio @ 1016 SE 12th Avenue Portland, OR 97214
Cost: Gift Economy / donation
RSVP: Just drop in / no RSVP needed

Future Evening Themes:

We’re currently on a series going through the Satipatthana Sutta, the Buddha’s Discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, which is quite possible the most influential meditation text of all time.  Here’s the schedule:

6/9/25 — Foundations of Buddhist Mindfulness
6/23/25 — Mindfulness of the Body
7/14/25 — Mindfulness of Feeling-tone
7/28/25 — Mindfulness of Mind
8/11/25 — Mindfulness of the Hindrances
8/25/25 — Mindfulness of the Awakening Factors
9/8/25 — Mindfulness of the Sense Doors
9/22/25 — Mindfulness of the Aggregates (aka the sense of self)
10/13/25 — Mindfulness of the Noble Truths

 

Brief Overview

We’re a Portland-based Buddhist community that puts special emphasis on deep dharma, the integration of practice into daily life, the relevance of both liberating meditation & heartful ethics, as well as creating the conditions for a real sense of sangha / community.

After the sit and a short talk, roughly half the evening is spent in meditative co-contemplation, including 1-on-1 conversations that go beyond the surface, large group discussions, and Q&A.

 

Evening Flow

7:00-7:30pm — Lightly guided meditation
7:30-8:30pm — A blend of formal teaching, large group discussion, and small group discussion

At 8:30pm, we’ll wrap up the official gathering, and you can either depart or stick around for casual conversation and tea until 9:00pm.

 

Logistical Notes / How To Find Us:

Parking can be a little difficult, so plan to arrive 5 to 15 minutes early to get situated.

When you approach the building, walk down the rampway on the left of the building; it will lead to the community room where we’ll be.

 

Cost:

Offered on the gift economy (aka, generosity or donation).  

Your presence is the biggest gift, though if you’re able, monetary contributions are always appreciated & help keep the ship afloat.  For more info on why I choose to teach entirely on donation, check out this article on “the gift economy.”

Donations can be made in person or electronically via this link.

 

Teacher Bio:

A former Theravādin Buddhist monk, David Sudar has spent over 3 years on intensive meditation retreats, including a 21-month retreat in Myanmar with his core teacher, Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Since 2018 he has also been studying with Vipassana teacher, Carol Wilson. He currently teaches Buddhism & meditation full-time, both locally and online. Visit here for a more complete biography.

 

Teaching Orientation:

We’re rooted in the Theravada Buddhist / Insight Meditation tradition.  We center around the Noble Eightfold Path, the earliest teachings found in the Pali Canon, as well as a contemporary sensibility.  The three resources that most capture the teaching style you’ll find in this group are:

• Relax & Be Aware by Sayadaw U Tejaniya.  This is my favorite meditation guide, as it brilliantly lays out a down-to-earth meditation approach, based on awareness & wisdom, that we can apply every moment of our lives.
• The Issue at Hand by Gil Fronsdal.  This book offers a very readable, brief, and excellently written overview of the Buddhist path.  You could skip right to this chapter for a comprehensive yet succinct overview of the style of Buddhism we practice.
• Insight Dialogue by Gregory Kramer.  This is a 14-page guide to practicing mindful conversations — it informs the group exercises we do together.