Meditation sitting groups provide an opportunity to support daily practice by meeting on a regular basis for short, silent meditation where you work and live.

 

Would you like to practice meditation more regularly? Sitting groups help to cultivate friendship and community while meditating together. Many groups have some time for discussion about how to integrate mindfulness into daily life. The Washington, D.C.-area sitting groups below are led by IMCW teachers or by students in the IMCW community.

 

If you wish to start your own sitting group and are an experienced student, please contact IMCW for more information.

  • DC -- Adams Morgan

    Status:
    Open
    Location:
    Adams Morgan neighborhood
    Description:
    Format: Silent sitting or walking meditation, possibility for "check in" following meditation. 
    Meeting Day:
    Fridays, 7:30 a.m.
    Contact:
    Paul Beaton

  • DC -- Men Meeting for Meditation (M3)

    Status:
    Open
    Location:
    Washington, DC
    Description:

    M3 is a monthly meeting of men for mindful movement, meditation and discussion. Our goal is to create a space for men to learn the power of silent meditation, to deepen their meditation practice, and to interact with other like-minded men.

    We meet at the Shaw library in downtown DC, room #2 for meditation, discussion, and mindful movement.

    Click here for monthly themes and more information.
    Meeting Day:
    First Monday of each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
    Contact:
    Kevin D. Jones

  • MD -- North Bethesda

    Status:
    Open
    Location:
    North Bethesda, Montgomery County, MD
    Description:
    This sitting group is offered as a simple opportunity to meditate with others. There will be brief introductions, followed by a silent 30-minute meditation. Please contact the leader for the specific address.
    Meeting Day:
    Fridays, 9-9:45 a.m.
    Contact:
    Alison Babil

  • VA -- Fairfax Sitting Group

    Status:
    Open
    Location:
    Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, Chapel (Program Bldg.), 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA 22124
    Description:

    Format: 30-minute partially guided sitting followed by dialogue.

    Drop-in group. Open to all.

    Leaders: Rob Creekmore and Karen Monroe. For more info, including subscribing to our listserv, please contact us.
    Meeting Day:
    1rst & 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 7-8:30 p.m.
    Contact:
    Rob Creekmore

  • VA -- Herndon Sitting Group (Meditation Community of Herndon/Reston)

    Status:
    Open
    Location:
    The Village Wellness Center, 714 Pine St., Herndon, VA
    Description:

    Please join us for a weekly sitting group, practicing mindful meditation in community.

    A core group of facilitators will rotate each week, introducing basic concepts in mindfulness and guided formal meditation practice.

    Rob Creekmore - Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW)-trained meditation teacher

    Beth Spring- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, trained in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy

    Georgianna Achilles - Psychologist, trained in mindfulness-oriented psychology

    There will be time for group reflection at the end of the meditation.

    This group is freely offered; donations are welcome to help pay for the space.

    Please check schedule on meetup.com or thevillagewellnesscenter.org.
    Meeting Day:
    Sundays, 3:30-5 p.m.
    Contact:
    Georgi Achilles

  • VA -- Lovettsville Sitting Group

    Status:
    Open
    Location:
    St. James United Church of Christ, 10 East Broad Way, Lovettsville, VA
    Description:

    Group time includes sitting meditation and discussion.  Previous introduction to meditation is helpful. Open to all. Donations for St. James Church are gratefully accepted. We meet in the Community Room.
    Meeting Day:
    Wednesday mornings, 10-11:30 a.m.
    Contact:
    Diane Younkins

  • VA -- Manassas Sitting Group

    Status:
    Open
    Location:
    Bull Run Unitarian Universalists, 9350 Main Street, Manassas, VA
    Description:
    Our format normally starts with a reading and then a walking or sitting meditation for 20-30 minutes, followed by discussion. We are a small group of meditators grounded in a desire to develop a consistent mindfulness meditation practice. Please bring a cushion or blankets to sit on, and wear loose clothing.

    Drop-in group. Open to all.
    Meeting Day:
    1rst and 3rd Thursday of each month, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
    Contact:
    Jennifer Deavers

  • VA -- Oakton Sitting Group

    Status:
    Open
    Location:
    Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2709 Hunter Mill, Oakton, VA 22124
    Description:

    A reading is followed by a 30-minute meditation, then check-ins and open dialogue, and then a brief final sit.

    Meeting is in the Social Hall in the basement of the Program Building.
    Meeting Day:
    First & third Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m.
    Contact:
    Rob Creekmore

  • VA -- Winchester Sitting Group

    Status:
    Open
    Location:
    Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley, 6380 Valley Pike, Stephens City, VA
    Description:

    Led by IMCW teacher Shell Fischer, the group’s format includes a 20-minute guided meditation, followed by a 25-minute silent meditation, and a 10-minute walking meditation. Following the meditation period, Shell offers a 40-minute dharma talk (or an open Q&A session on the first Tuesdays of the month). We close with a brief guided meditation related to the topic of the night’s talk.

    Please visit mindfulvalley.com for more information.
    Meeting Day:
    Tuesdays, 7-8:45 p.m.
    Contact:
    Shell Fischer