Greetings from Urban Dharma!

We hope this summer has been full of blessings for you. With autumn just around the corner, now is a great time to get outside and appreciate the nature around us - like the flowers blooming in our temple's new garden.

Earlier in the summer, two of our members, Nat and Kurt, transformed the alley space behind the temple into a garden plot which is now thriving. If you're local, please stop by and check it out.

Whether during open hours or one of our regularly scheduled weekly programs, we hope to see you here soon.

And, just as a heads up-

Save the Date: November 1st

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 1st for a special community event.

More details to follow soon!

Volunteers Needed

Urban Dharma is looking for volunteers to assist with coverage for open hours Monday through Friday from 2:00-5:00 PM. If you're looking for a way to give back, volunteering to hold the temple space for visitors is a great way to do so!

Read what one of our volunteers, Colby, has to say about his experience:

If you're interested in this opportunity, please contact Kurt at (786) 302-6169​.

Host a Buddhist Exchange Student

This fall, CIEE, a nonprofit that places high school exchange students with volunteer host families, is seeking welcoming families in North Carolina for three wonderful students from Thailand who are excited to share their culture, language, and Buddhist values while experiencing American family life.

About Hosting:

• Families are volunteers (no stipend) but are eligible for a $500 federal tax credit.
• Families share three meals a day with the student and welcome them as part of the family.
• Students bring their own spending money and health insurance, and attend the local high school their host family is zoned for.
• CIEE provides full support, orientations, and a local coordinator.

Providing a home-stay experience is a great way to learn about and share in other cultures, and opens the door for making lifelong connections. If you or someone you know might be interested in opening their home to one of these students, please reach out to Diana Browne at dbrowne@ciee.org or (480) 620-1765 for more information.

October 23rd: Zen Flute Meditation

Please join us on the evening of October 23rd for a special performance and meditation guided by Shakuhachi (Zen Flute) practitioner Travis Roman.

The Shakuhachi has direct connection to the Meditation and Zen practice, at one point in history enjoying a dedicated school of Zen Mindfulness practice. Travis is offering a Mindfulness Session of Suizen (blowing meditation); the session includes a brief discussion regarding the history of the Shakuhachi and breath work techniques. The Shakuhachi, when applied with proper intention, is a pure mindfulness tool that takes the listener on a contemplative journey of enlightenment.

Unlike other sound healing/baths that involve numerous combinations of sounds and instruments, this experience focuses on simplicity and minimalism at the center the mind.

All are welcome to attend!