Common Ground Meditation Center
Common Ground Meditation Center, at 2700 East 26th Street in Minneapolis, is a hub for mindfulness practice. Founded in 1993 by Mark Nunberg and Wynn Fricke, it's grown into a large, vibrant community. The center is rooted in the insight meditation tradition, emphasizing compassion and wisdom.
The center started small in 1993 in a storefront that was also Mark and Wynn's home. They collaborated with the Twin Cities Vipassana Collective to offer meditation and yoga. Mark began teaching a weekly practice group and an intro to mindfulness meditation. These are still key parts of Common Ground's offerings.
By 1999, the community's needs had grown. Mark left his teaching job to work full-time at the center. In 2002, the center formed a Board of Directors and gained nonprofit status as a Theravada Buddhist Meditation Center. In 2006, they moved to a new location, an old diner transformed into a meditation center with the community's help.
Today, Common Ground is a place of learning and practice for all. It offers daily meditation sessions, classes, and retreats. The center welcomes everyone, regardless of background, to learn and practice Zen Buddhist meditation. It's committed to ethical living and Buddhist teachings.
For newcomers, Common Ground suggests starting with an intro class. It includes meditation instruction and how Zen relates to life. Zazen, or seated Zen, is their main meditation type. It's practiced in silence and is a foundational part of the center's practice.
Guiding teachers like Shelly Graf and Mark Nunberg bring depth to the center. Shelly, who has been practicing since 2003, focuses on integrating Buddha's teachings into daily life. Mark, the co-founder, has been teaching since 1990. He's deeply inspired by Buddha's teachings and has studied with various teachers. Gail, another teacher, has been with Common Ground since 2002. She's led the Intro to Mindfulness Meditation workshop for many years.
Key Takeaways
- Official Website: https://commongroundmeditation.org/
- Contact: (612) 722-8260
- Location: 2700 East 26th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406
