Meditation for Liberation at the 100 Acres

Hello! My name is Tony Nguyễn Wiederhold. I use he/him pronouns. I've been leading yoga, qi gong, and meditation practices here in Indianapolis since 2013 and have a daily meditation practice slightly older than that.

This is a space of love, sincere practice, and community care for all of us working towards collective liberation, especially activists, organizers, and community caregivers. No special knowledge or experience needed. Come as you are. Wear comfortable clothing.

Qi Gong. 9:30 – 10:00am: We’ll find ease and strength in the body through a series of eight flowing movements set to music. This practice is all standing (seated is also ok) and suitable for a broad range of abilities and body types.

Meditation. 10:00 – 10:30am: Sitting quietly together with nothing to achieve or attain. No special knowledge, experience, belief, or non-belief required. Just be yourself. Our practice form is simple: a volunteer reads or recites the Heart Sutra (here is the version we use) and then we practice seated meditation together for 25 minutes. The Heart Sutra is one of the shortest Buddhist texts in length -- a typical reading lasts 4 minutes -- but it reminds us to stay in contact with your ordinary heart, our humanity, and how we need each other to be free. It's a sutra that always brings to mind something about real life worth discussing no matter how many times I hear it.

Mindful Listening and Dialogue. 10:40 – 10:50am: Either a paired or full group facilitated deep listening practice. Both practices will improve every relationship in your life involving communication.

Collective Discussion. 10:50 – 11:30am: Enjoy tea and the company of fellow humans. Share any questions, reflections, and observations and hear what others have to share. It’s ok to just listen, too.

Safety

If you have any symptoms of contagious illness (e.g. coughing, fever, runny nose, body aches, malaise, etc.), please stay home and recover. Thank you for caring for your health and the well-being of people attending practice.

Directions (Map below)

Driving: Please carpool if possible. There are only 40 parking spots in the 100 Acres Parking Lot at the bottom of the White River Parkway East exit off of 38th St just west of Newfields. Walk into the park. We'll be under the rings between the parking lot and the lagoon.

Overflow parking with easy access to the canal towpath is at the Indiana Interchurch Center at 42nd and Michigan. Take your time. The walk is about 15 minutes to our spot. Life's too short to be in a hurry. Walk down to Michigan, turn right, and cross the bridge over the canal. Walk down to the towpath and turn right to walk under the bridge and towards the 100 Acres. Take the canal towpath to the red bridge at Newfields (usually has a locked gate). Turn away from the canal and into the 100 Acres and turn left when you get to the lagoon.

Biking and Walking: Take the canal towpath to the red bridge at Newfields (usually has a locked gate). Turn away from the canal and into the 100 Acres and turn left when you get to the lagoon.

Bus: Take the bus to 42nd and Michigan (Bus #34) and follow the Overflow Parking instructions above. This walk is about 15 minutes.

See you soon!

Love, Tony
[email protected]

Host or Publisher Indy Community Yoga