Weekly Practice at Still Water

Members of the Still Water community come together to sit quietly in meditation, to learn Mindfulness practices (from sitting meditation to walking and eating meditation), and to support each other in our lives' journeys. 

Newcomers are most welcome. Click on a calendar item or scroll down to learn more about our weekly programs.

Thursday Evening Meditation Practice and Dharma Discussion

Held at Crossings, Thursdays 7:00pm - 9:00 pm
Our main program, the Mindfulness Practice Evening, begins each Thursday at 7:00pm with 50 minutes of sitting and walking meditation, a welcome and introductions, and a short program which may be a talk, a guided meditation, or a presentation. The program is followed by a group discussion about bringing mindfulness into our lives, families, work, and society. (Click here to see an archive of dharma topics we've discussed in the past.) After a wrap-up and announcements, the evening ends at 9:00 pm. Here is the typical schedule:

The best times to join us are 

• Just before the first sitting at 7 pm;
• Quietly, at any time between 7 pm and 7:40; 
• At 7:40, at the beginning of walking meditation. 
  (To allow others to maintain concentration and continuity, we ask that practitioners not enter during the walking meditation.)

A monthly orientation and basic practices discussion is held the first Thursday of every month, 6:30pm - 7:00pm

The orientation provides background on the Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center and instruction in the basic mindfulness practices of conscious breathing, sitting meditation, and mindfulness in daily life.

Thursday evening weather cancellation policy: The Thursday evening gathering is cancelled when Montgomery County Schools have closed for the day or afternoon, or when school-sponsored evening events are cancelled.

Weekday Morning and Afternoon Meditation

Our weekday morning and afternoon meditations, include sitting meditation, walking meditation, introductions, a mindfulness reading, and Dharma sharing.

Here is our schedule:

Directions and entry procedures are available for each location if one clicks on the links above. Because of security issues, please arrive for the morning sitting at Crossings between 6:55 and 7:05. For the morning sitting at the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, please arrive between 7:25 and 8:25.

Morning Sitting Weather Cancellation Policies: The Crossings and Takoma Park Presbyterian Church sittings will be cancelled when Montgomery County schools are closed or have a delayed opening. The Circle Yoga sitting will be cancelled when District of Columbia schools are closed or have a delayed opening. The Friday afternoon sitting will take place for Friends House residents regardless of the weather. Use one's own discretion if driving.

Sunday Evening Meditation Practice and Dharma Discussion in Columbia, MD

Held at Yoga Center of Columbia, Sundays 6:30pm - 8:30pm

The Mindfulness Practice Evening in Columbia begins each Sunday at 6:30pm with sitting and walking meditation, a welcome and introductions, and a short program which may be a talk, a guided meditation, or a presentation. The program is followed by a group discussion about bringing mindfulness into our lives, families, work, and society. After a wrap-up and announcements, the evening ends at 8:30pm.

The first Sunday of each month, 6:00pm - 6:30pm, we have an orientation session prior to our regular evening practice. It provides background on the Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center and instruction in the basic mindfulness practices of conscious breathing, sitting meditation, and mindfulness in daily life.

Columbia Sunday evening weather cancellation policy: The Sunday evening gathering is cancelled when the Yoga Studio of Columbia has cancelled their Sunday morning classes. Notice of cancellation is provided on the Yoga Center's phone line ((410) 720-4340) and on their web site (www.columbiayoga.com) .

Sunday Meditation Practice and Dharma Discussion in Frederick, MD

Held at Ananda Shala Yoga Center , Sundays 4:30pm - 5:30pm

The Frederick Mindfulness Practice Group meets every Sunday for sitting and walking meditation, as well as instruction and sharing about practicing mindfulness in daily life. Parking is available on the street and in nearby garages. For more information email Patti Murphy at patti@takomagroup.com.

Frederick Sunday Group Cancellation Policy: Practice is cancelled if Ananda Shala is closed due to inclement weather. You can reach the studio by phone at 301.682.9642.

Tuesday Meditation Practice and Dharma Discussion in Gaithersburg, MD

Held at the Chapel at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension , Tuesdays 7:00pm - 8:30 pm

The Gaithersburg Mindfulness Practice Group meets every Tuesday evening, 7 to 8:30, in the Chapel at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Gaithersburg (205 S Summit Ave). The weekly program includes 45 minutes of sitting and walking mediation followed by a presentation and Dharma discussion on an aspect of mindfulness in everyday life. New and experienced practitioners are warmly invited to attend. Questions? Please send an email to SWGaithersburg@gmail.com.