2025 Courses
You must register for each course you wish to join, even if you have already been attending. Thank you.
Monday Guided Meditations
These guided meditations will mostly explore and develop ānāpānasati (mindfulness with breathing in and out), including the natural healing aspects of breathing. They will help you build the foundations for a regular practice and will also support the Ānāpānasati Foundations course (see next entry). Other congruent forms of meditation will sometimes be included. For details see this pdf.
Ānāpānasati Foundations (2nd Tuesdays)
This course is for folks relatively new to Mindfulness with Breathing (ānāpānasati) or who have difficulty stringing together a regular practice. You can also join if you would benefit from a review of these foundations. We will cover the basics of attitude and intention, posture, sensitivity to breathing, cultivating healthy breathing, and directing attention without strain or distraction. Each session, Santikaro will give a short talk on a relevant topic. Participants are expected to meditate regularly and to bring experiences, questions, and learnings to our conversations. For details see this pdf.
You might benefit from also joining the Monday Guided Meditations, which will be roughly parallel to these conversations. If you have an interest in the exploring the full range of ānāpānasati as by the Buddha, you can also join on 4th Tuesdays.
Ānāpānasati Full Spectrum (4th Tuesdays)
For experienced practitioners of ānāpānasati who wish to develop the full range of this practice as originally outlined by the Buddha, especially the sections concerning feeling tones, mind (heart), and Dhamma. The Ānāpānasati Sutta (MN 118) will be a primary reference. Participants are encouraged to read some of the better books on this practice, such as those by Ajahn Buddhadāsa, Thich Nhat Hanh, Larry Rosenberg, Ajahn Sucitto, and Bhikkhu Analayo.
Each session will begin with a 15-20 minute guided practice that provides a taste of what a particular training is about. That will be the starting point of the evening’s conversation. We won’t spend as much time on the opening section focused on body. Join the Ānāpānasati Foundations course if you wish to fortify that set of trainings. For details see this pdf.
Fundamentals of Buddha-Dhamma (Wednesdays)
This class will focus on the Fundamentals of Buddhist teachings and practice. In most session, Santikaro will introduce an important piece of Buddha-Dhamma and then lead a discussion about applying it within our lives. In 2025, we will also discuss the basics of meditation practice and maintaining a regular practice. This class is based in a longstanding meditation and Dhamma class based in La Crosse, WI. In 2025, we aim to have two in-person sessions a month, which will also be streamed through Zoom. There will be an additional 1 or 2 on-line only sessions each month. For details see this pdf.
Conversations in Scary Times (2 Thursdays a month)
for Resilience, Courage, & Compassion grounded in the Inner-Journey
Leading causes of stress and anxiety in America today include climate disruptions and disasters, wealth inequalities, political corruption and divisiveness, threatening authoritarianism, and worsening mental health. Many of us fear the coming four years will make matters worse. For those of us who seek guidance in how we might respond to these threats and challenges, Sanghas that address such circumstances honestly and support each other in responding mindfully, compassionately, and wisely are a vital need. If you feel such fears, challenges, and needs, you might benefit from this course. For details see this pdf.
Sutta Study Groups
The long-term Sutta Study Group, originally based in Chicago and now online with members far & wide, has room for a few new students. It meets 8 times per year on Sunday afternoons. If you would like more information, please email me.
Santikaro is also looking into the feasibility of offering a weekday evening, once a month, course of sutta study. If this interests you, please email me.