[StPete-news] Kalyana Mitta Groups - Spiritual Friends

[stpete-updates at floridamindfulness.org]

Dear Friends,

Many of you have responded that you are interested in joining one of our
KM groups, which will be starting in just a few weeks. If you are
interested but have not yet responded, please reply as indicated below by
this Friday, February 8. We'll then be able to determine how to best
finalize the logistics for each group and will communicate to all who wish
to participate so that we can begin. If you have signed up to participate
in the upcoming Intensive, please be sure to respond for a KM group as
well.

With metta,

The Sangha Steering Committee



Dear Friends,
	In a few weeks, the Tampa and St. Petersburg sanghas will be starting
Kalyana Mitta (KM) or “spiritual friends” groups. These are small groups
of 5-8 sangha members who commit to meeting together on a bi-weekly basis
for a set period of time. They provide an opportunity to practice mindful
speech, deep listening, discuss and share our experiences with the
practice, and support and nurture each other as we strive to bring our
practice into daily life. They are a wonderful way to deepen our practice
and form connections and friendships with others who are on this same
dharma path.
	Groups meet in members’ homes—either in one home or rotating among the
homes of those who would like to host. Groups are facilitated by pairs of
experienced practitioners who help create a safe and supportive
environment. Groups usually begin with a period of meditation followed by
the discussion period. The groups will begin the week of February 18 and
end the week of April 28. At that time each group and the sangha as a
whole can reassess whether to continue the groups as they are,
re-configure groups, or take a break and continue them at a later time.
	Depending on interest, groups will be formed in north and south
Hillsborough and north and south Pinellas. Each group will decide on a
time to meet. For those of you participating in the up-coming Training
the Mind Intensive, the KM groups will fulfill the commitment to attend
bi-weekly discussion/support gatherings.

	If you are interested and feel you can make a sincere commitment to fully
participate, please respond as follows by Friday February 8:

	For Tampa groups: REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL

	For Pinellas groups: EMAILTO stpete-updates at floridamindfulness.org

Please include the following information:
1.	Your name
2.	Geographical preference (north or south Hillsborough, north or south
Pinellas)
3.	Meeting time preferences/availability (as many as apply)
a.	Hillsborough:	Mon, Tues, or Wed evening
			Sunday morning, afternoon, or evening

b.	Pinellas: 		Mon, Tues, or Thurs evening
			Sunday morning, afternoon, or evening

4.	Please indicate if you are interested in being a facilitator
5.	Please indicate if you would be able to host one or more meetings in
your home

	If you have any questions about the KM groups, please feel free to send
them to the above e-mail contacts. We will also set aside time at the
next sangha meetings to talk about the KM groups.
	Thank you for your support. We look forward to this new sangha venture
and the opportunities it will provide for all of us to broaden and deepen
our practice.

	Sangha Steering Committee