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News

Heartwood Center Partners with Imagining Peace Conference

April 26-28, 2013: Heartwood Center (where Tsogyaling calls home) is proud to be partnering with the weekend-long Imagining Peace Conference taking place in Chicago this spring. Joining organizations such as Cease Fire and the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, teens from Nancy Floy's meditation class at the Evanston Library will be attending and participating. The event kicks off on Friday, April 26, with a talk by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche of Shamabala on "Creating Enlightened Society."

Tsogyaling Founder and President Nancy Floy invites anyone to attend: "This event is an opportunity to take your meditation practice off of your cushion and into society by participating in these issues that are vital to our local communities. The conference will be filled with opportunities for meditation instructions from Sakyang Mipham Rinpoche, as well as other senior meditation teachers. Come join me as we practice meditation in action together!"  Check out the event website for information on scholarships and ticket prices.

Chicago Botanic Gardens Walk with Tsogyaling

October 14, 2012: The Tsogyaling sangha (community) shared an afternoon stroll in one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the Midwest. We were delighted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Chicago Botanic Garden with our group visit.

Zen Nun Beth Kanji Goldring of Brahmavihara/Cambodia AIDS Project Visits Tsogyaling Meditation Center

October 12, 2012: Our sangha was delighted to welcome Beth Goldring back to our Friday night meditation class. We were very grateful to benefit from her teachings, learn more about her work with AIDS patients in Cambodia and raise funds for the project.

Our Sangha Takes a Musical Field Trip

July 22, 2012: Community members of Tsogyaling Meditation Center enjoyed an evening of music and cameraderie at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois, this summer.

Tsogyaling Participates in the Global Activism Expo: Chicago Public Radio's Free Celebration

April 28, 2012: Tsogyaling Meditation Center had a booth at the Global Activism Expo on Saturday, April 28. Members of Tsogyaling provide details and updates about our Tibet Girls School, as well as info about our wide array of meditation classes.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Speaks at Loyola University, Chicago

April 26, 2012: Members of Tsogyaling Meditation Center attended a talk by the Dalai Lama on non-violence at Loyola University. As part of the morning event, three high school students read their winning essays on the topic and got to ask His Holiness questions. Most recently the recipient of the Templeton Prize given to someone who exemplifies the marriage of science and religion, the Dalai Lama spoke about starting with ourselves in moving toward peace. For more information, see the Tribune's coverage of the event.

SPECIAL EVENT: Four Noble Truths: The Buddha's First Teaching

3-Day Workshop: Teachings by Lopon Rita Gross

• Friday, March 30, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Saturday, March 31, Noon - 6:00 pm
• Sunday, April 1, Noon - 5:00 pm
  
  at Heartwood Center
  1818 Dempster, Evanston

Tsogyaling Meditation Center of Evanston is honored to present Lopon Rita Gross — "Lopon" means "Senior Teacher" in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition — one of the foremost Buddhist scholars in the West. Lopon Rita will give meditation instruction and her teachings on the Four Noble Truths with plenty of time for discussion. This weekend program is ideal for beginning level students, as well as seasoned meditators and scholars and we welcome people of all faiths, philosophies and walks of life.

Tsogyaling and Evanston Township High School Collaborate for Summer Class with Special Needs Students

August 2011: In cooperation with the Dimensions of Learning Program of Evanston Township High School (ETHS), Tsogyaling Board Members Colleen Hubbard, Alison Oakes, Laura Dorfman and Nancy Floy will teach mindfulness meditation and yoga in summer sessions of this program at Heartwood Center. Dimensions of Learning offers individualized programs for students who function within the moderately to severely mentally impared ranges.

Evanston Police Learning About Mindfulness Meditation

July 2011: Meditation instructor and massage therapist Louise Rosenberg recently conducted a special outreach session for members of the Evanston Police Department. She shared information about the benefits of meditation. Additional sessions are in the works for later this summer in this ongoing collaboration between the Police Department, Heartwood Center and the meditation center.

Meditation Instructor Nancy Floy to Offer Kids Class through Evanston Public Library

Monday evenings
NEW TIME: 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
NEW LOCATION: Evanston Public Library, Main Branch, Loft, 1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, IL [ map ]

UPDATE August 2011: Our first classes with the kids were so successful that the kids asked to continue! Beginning August 22, the class is moving to the main branch of the library and beginning now at 5:30 pm.

Nancy is thrilled with the response to this class: "The Library class for kids and teens is going great already with growing interest and attendance. Such wonderful kids! And they are eager to learn and experience meditation." As part of the Safe Summer Summit, teens are always welcome for free at any of our meditation classes.

June 2011: The Evanston Public Library will host a Special Class for Kids & Teens at the Summer Reading Stop in the Evanston Plaza Shopping Center. The teacher is Nancy Floy, President and Owner of Heartwood Center and a certified Meditation Instructor. Students will learn simple techniques that can help lower stress and bring more focus for the mind and body. The free, half-hour class is available to students age 11 to 18. No registration necessary; drop-ins welcome. [ click here for flyer ]

Evanston Mayor Hosts Safe Summer Summit

June 4, 2011: Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl and the City of Evanston gathered 150 residents and representatives of the City, not-for-profit groups, schools and the faith community at the Levy Senior Center to share information about summer activities available for local youth. Attendees were urged to volunteer and collaborate in order to stop the recent trend of escalating violence. Tsogyaling board member and meditation teacher Louise Rosenberg attended the summit and met with other members of the community as we continue to investigate ways to offer meditation as a way to reduce tension and increase compassion.

• Summit Unveils Summer Activities for Youth, Evanston Roundtable
• "Mayor Tisdahl: It takes all of us to keep our children safe," Evanston Patch

Peace Vigil for Evanston West Village Community

Sunday, April 17, 2011
6:00 pm
Dempster Street and Dodge Avenue, Evanston, IL

Tsogyaling Meditation Center participated in a Peace Vigil held after violence occurred at the McDonalds on Dempster Street, April 15. Sadly there was a shooting among some young students and one boy was shot (he is currently in stable condition and recovering). The hostility started last summer between a group of kids in downtown Evanston, then happened again with this same group in our new neighborhood where Heartwood is located. The vigil, initiated by Heartwood Center, was attended by nearly 100 people.

Meditation instructors and member of the board moved through the crowd offering compassionate listening and meditation was taught on the spot Tsogyaling is committed to taking the meditation practice off of the cushion and into our community when needed. Our involvement in the vigil was a wonderful example of engaged buddhism. President of the board, Nancy Floy, met with community Christian Ministers at the vigil and discussed the situation from an interfaith perspective.