Knoxville Community of Mindfulness
We are a gathering of spiritual friends supporting each other in the process of healing and awakening. Some of us are new to the practice of meditation; others have decades of experience. We are grounded in the practices of mindfulness, insight, loving-kindness, and compassion. Read more below.
Who We Are
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.
Our Leader
John Blackburn, Ph.D., has practiced meditation for over fifty years, practicing intensively with teachers in the Vipassana, Zen, and Dzogchen traditions. He leads a local meditation group, the Knoxville Community of Mindfulness. For many years he served as chair of the board of directors for Southern Dharma Retreat Center in Spring Creek, NC.
Sangha (Weekly Meetings)
Thursdays 6:30-8:00 pm
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
The Sangha meets on Zoom Thursdays from 6:30-8:00
You can go directly to the Zoom meeting by clicking the following:
If you join the Sangha from your own Zoom account, you will need:
Passcode: 536081
Classes Offered
Classes are taught by John Blackburn, PhD. John has practiced meditation for over 45 years and studied intensively with teachers in the Vipassana, Mahayana, and Dzogchen traditions.