Buddhist Teacher Mark Nunberg to Speak August 7, 2005

The Northfield Buddhist Meditation Center is hosting a talk by teacher Mark Nunberg on Sunday, August 7 at 9:45am. The Center is located at 313 1/2 Division Street above Jenkins Jewelers in Northfield. The talk is entitled "Hindrances to Quieting the Mind and Developing Insight."

This talk will examine the common mind states that hinder the development of concentration and insight. The Buddha organized the common obstacles we confront into five categories: craving, ill-will or aversion, restlessness, dullness and sleepiness, and doubt. It is possible to overcome the influence of these hindrances by learning to recognize them with wisdom. Developing this skill greatly improves our meditation practice and also supports greater ease throughout our life.

Mark Nunberg is Guiding Teacher at Common Ground Meditation Center in Minneapolis. Mark
began mindfulness practice in 1982 and has been teaching meditation since 1990. He and his wife, Wynn Fricke, founded Common Ground Meditation Center in 1993 for people interested in
Buddhist mindfulness practice. Mark has studied with both Asian and Western teachers in several traditions including practicing as a monk for five months in Burma. His primary teachers have been Joseph Goldstein and the other Insight Meditation teachers who teach at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Massachusetts. Mark continues to be a devoted student of Buddhist practice, putting aside several months each year for intensive retreat practice.

The talk will be preceded by an orientation at 8:30 a.m., and a half-hour period of meditation at 9:00 a.m. The orientation is not required but is intended to be a helpful introduction to Buddhism and the Center. Tea and coffee will be served after the talk. The event is free of charge; however, donations are greatly appreciated. Additional information about The Northfield Buddhist Meditation Center can be found at www.northfieldbuddhists.org.