Jonathan Foust

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church

7:30 – 9:00PM

Please note that the Monday Night gathering at St. Mark’s continues through the summer!  Meditation will begin as usual at 7:30, followed by an informal discussion.  If you’d like to be part of a smaller email group specifically related to the summer gatherings, please send me an email.

Please join us for an ongoing weekly class offering instruction in Buddhist meditation and talks on the awakening of our natural wisdom. While the meditation practices derive from the Buddhist tradition, they are universal in orientation and address spiritual themes of concern to all contemplative traditions.

In addition to cultivating an inner experience of presence and peace, we explore how meditation awakens our compassion towards others and a direct realization of our interconnectedness. We explore universal spiritual themes, allowing us to deepen our understanding of contemplative and meditative Christian traditions.

Monday Night Meditation welcomes both parishioners from St. Mark’s as well as all others who are interested. Each week will offer the opportunity to quiet our minds and reconnect with a sense of wholeness and inner freedom.

Date: Every Monday evening, 7:30-9:00 pm

Location: Nave

Leaders: Jonathan Foust, John McIlwain and Mary Aubry

For a list of the topics and teachers, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Jonathan Foust is a founder of the Mindfulness Training Institute of Washington and serves on the teacher’s council of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. He was raised in the Quaker faith and has studied numerous disciplines from both the yogic and Buddhist traditions. Jonathan has been leading meditation retreats for over 25 years and directs trainings in the art of teaching meditation.

John McIlwain is a former member of St. Mark’s. He is a lifelong Episcopalian, was on the vestry at St. Mark’s and has taught confirmation class. He has been practicing vipassana or insight meditation for over seven years. He is the immediate past President of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington.

Mary Aubry is a member of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington’s Teacher’s Council and is currently participating in the Community Dharma Leadership Training sponsored by Spirit Rock Meditation Center.  Mary has a strong and dedicated practice and serves in a number of dharma organizations.

Cost: There is no set fee for this class. In the spirit of the Buddhist tradition, the teachings are offered without charge so that no one is denied access to them. The tradition is also based on generosity and encourages participants to offer donations to support the continuation of the teachings. The suggested donation of $10-20 helps support the teachers in their work and allows us to continue serving all who want to learn meditation.

Directions: St. Mark’s in located at 118 Third Street, SE Washington, DC

Topics and Teachers:

Date	Topic	Teac
Sept 6	Introduction and Welcome	Jonathan
Sept 13	Suffering, Freedom and the Four Noble Truths	TBA
Sept 20	Mindfulness of the Body: Cultivating Embodied Presence	Jonathan
Sept 27	Mindfulness of Emotions: An Overview of the Hindrances	John
Oct 4	Mindfulness of Emotions:  Working with the Hindrances	Mary
Oct 11	Mindfulness of Thoughts: With Your Thoughts You Create Your World	John
Oct 18	Concentration, Mindfulness and Insight	Jonathan
Oct 25	The Art of Metta:  Cultivating Loving Kindness	John
Nov 1	The Bodisattva Path:  Cultivating Compassion	Jonathan
Nov 8	Increasing Your Capacity for Joy	Mary
Nov 15	Clear Seeing:  Cultivating the Equanimous Heart	John
Nov 22	Gratitude and Giving	Mary
Nov 29	Cultivating Sangha	Jonathan
Dec 6	The Art of Practice I	John
Dec 13	The Art of Practice II	Jonathan
Dec 20	Christmas Dharma	John
Dec 27	New Beginnings: The Power of Intention	Mary
Jan 3	Wise Speech	John
Jan 10	The Refuges	Jonathan
Jan 17	Buddha and the Body	John
Jan 24	Concentration and Mindfulness	Jonathan
Jan 31	Working with Fear	Mary
Feb 7	Working with Pain	Jonathan
Feb 14	Mindfulness on the Job	John
Feb 21	Waking from the Dream of Thoughts	Jonathan
Feb 28	The Three Characteristics	John
Mar 7	The Life of the Buddha	Mary
Mar 14	Life Off the Mat:  Engaging in Social Change	John
Mar 21	Cultivating Faith	Jonathan
Mar 28	Mindfulness and Livelihood	John
April 4	Working with Conflict	Mary
April 11	The Heavenly Messengers (Sickness, Old Age and Death)	John
April 18	The Power of Inquiry	Jonathan
April 25	Doing and Non-Doing	John
May 2	The Nature of Karma	Mary
May 9	TBA	John
May 16	TBA	Jonathan
May 23	TBA	John
May 30	TBA	Mary
June 6	TBA	Jonathan
June 13	The Path of the Bodhisattva	John