Our community is particularly inspired by the living example and teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, and our aspiration is to practice the way of awareness in order to benefit others. We offer a refuge where our innate capacities for kindness, wisdom, peace, and joy are nurtured and can find expression. Our members come from all walks of life and a variety of spiritual traditions..

John Blackburn has led the Knoxville Community of Mindfulness for over a decade.  John has studied intensively with teachers in the Vipassana and Mahayana traditions and practiced meditation for over 45 years. John also served on the board of directors of Southern Dharma Retreat Center from 2006-2020.

Sangha is the traditional name for a gathering of spiritual friends who are practicing the path of awareness. Our Sangha meeting includes guided meditation, a period of teaching, and discussion. It is suitable for both experienced and new meditators.

"When you allow yourself to be in a sangha the way a drop of water allows itself to be in a river, then the energy of the sangha can penetrate you, and healing and transformation become possible."    Thich Nhat Hanh

Classes are taught by John Blackburn, PhD.   John has practiced meditation for over 45 years and studied intensively with teachers in the Vipassana and Mahayana traditions.

The purpose of Dharma Friendship Groups is to facilitate Sangha members getting to know one another more deeply and to support each other's practice.  Each group has 5-7 members who meet on Zoom for one hour a week and discuss a topic chosen by the group.  Members share the intention to speak from the heart and listen deeply.