Note: To protect the privacy of the sitting group hosts, we have replaced the “@” sign in the email addresses with “(at)”. Change it back before contacting them.
Insight Chicago Locations
North Chicago (Wednesdays at 7pm)
The northside Vipassana sitting group meets in Ravenswood near Foster and Ravenswood on Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm. Practice will include sitting meditation followed by tea and a recorded dharma talk and discussion. Please contact Carolyn at carcorb@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Downtown Chicago (Tuesdays at 7pm)
Lakeside Vipassana, Tuesday evenings from 7- 9 pm near Pearson and Lake Shore Dr (map). The evening will include a period of sitting (and occasional walking) meditation, practice discussion, tea and listening to a dharma talk. Visiting teachers will occasionally come to give a dharma talk.
First Tuesdays of the month are new practictioners night downtown. Please arrive at 6:30pm for a 25 minute meditation instruction before the sit and talk. For more information please email Greg at glg222(at)gmail.com.
Other Insight Mediation Groups
South Loop (Sundays, twice a month)
The South Loop Sangha meets on the first and third Sunday of each month from 7:00PM to 8:15PM in the chapel of Old St. Mary’s Church at 1500 S. Michigan, Chicago, IL. Contact Chris at chroniak(at)mail.com or (312) 786-9772 for more information.
Highland Park (Sundays, twice a month)
Circle of Stillness sitting group meets twice a month on Sundays at 9:30am -11:30am at the North Shore School of Dance, 505 Laurel Ave. across from the Highland Park library. The morning includes sitting, listening to recorded dharma and discussion. Email Patty at jones2110(at)comcast.net or Sarah at s.hutchison(at)live.com for dates and more information.
South Chicago (Mondays)
Mondays 7:30-9:00 at Beverly Unitarian Church at 103rd & Longwood. The contact person is Marcia Curtis at revmyoshin(at)msn.com.
Evanston (Sundays)
Northside Sangha meets Sunday mornings in Evanston, IL. Contact Ralph Marol at rmarol1(at)comcast.net or 847.675.0282.
Elmhurst (Sundays)
Bill DeRonne hosts a non-denominational 30 minute guided silent mediation session. Contact Bill at bill.deronne(at)yahoo.com or click here for more info.
Oak Park (Sundays, every other month)
For those looking to deepen their understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, Santikaro leads an exploration of the Pali Suttas the Sundays after the Saturday workshops. Begins with a 30 minute meditation, followed by a talk on the topic, a short break and conversation. Prior reading of the core material is required for attendance.
Downer’s Grove (Sundays, twice monthly)
Accidental Sangha meets every other Sunday in Downer’s Grove, IL. Consists of 3 rounds of 20-25 minute sitting meditation and 2 rounds of 10 minute walking meditation. There is usually time for a short discussion following our meditation. Contact Tom and Sue Wolsko at swolsko(at)comcast.net for directions.
Romeoville (Wednesdays)
Joe Gaziano (gazianoj(at)comcast.net) leads a group every Wednesday at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. It is open to faculty, students, administrators of Lewis University. The group meets at 1:00 PM in the conference room at McNamara Hall. The groups meets for about an hour. We meditate for 30 minutes. That is preceded by instructions before and questions and answers at the end.
Naperville (1st Saturdays)
Chicago Buddhist Vihara accommodates a monthly sitting in silence retreat on every 1st Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are interested please contact bhantesila(at)gmail.com.
