Find a SF Group
How do I join a SF group?
Step 1 of 2: choose your group (and then apply below)
Please select a group from below with either Open or Forming in the title and choose this in the questionnaire. Groups with Forming in the title have not yet reached minimum attendance or do not have a facilitator. Maybe your interest will put it over the top or perhaps you would like to offer to facilitate!
Please note:
- If you have never attended Spiritual Friends orientation you will need to find a group and complete the questionnaire before being connected to a group.
- We need more people who are willing to facilitate a small group in their home. Currently, the amount of interest is more than the number of openings in groups, especially in Arlington, Bethesda and the District.
Online
Monday 7:30-9:00 p.m., twice per month
We start with a 20-30 min sit, do check-ins, and then discuss a dharma topic. Members rotate facilitating and hosting.
Sunday, 6:30-8 p.m., weekly
In the interest of anonymity, please do not complete the questionnaire, just show up using the information below!
Our group is open to both new and seasoned meditators interested in the intersection of Buddhist teachings and 12 Step recovery. All 12 Steppers are welcome, from all spiritual traditions, or none. We ask that you have continuous recovery and a working relationship with a 12 Step group before attending your first meeting.
We abide by the tradition of anonymity and respecting confidentiality. Please remember that who you see here and what is said here needs to stay here.
You may find more information on this calendar (check for Sunday listing): https://living-mindfully.org/calendar
Meeting virtually now.
Fridays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th week
We begin with a 20 minute sit, using mindful listening to reflect on meditation practice in everyday life (on and off cushion), transition into a reading, mindful dialogue and close with a ten minute silent sit. Join us!
Alternating Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm ET
Online reading, meditating together, and then opening the group for reflection and sharing.
District of Columbia
Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m., twice per month
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
Maryland
Wednesdays, 5:00-7:00 pm, monthly on 3rd week
Silent meditation and check-in, followed by group discussion.
Sunday, 1:30-3:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd week
This group is for and supports members with mood, attachment or anxiety disorders only in that we all have some experience with one or more of these concerns, allowing us to view any mention of them with recognition and acceptance. We don’t necessarily have mood, attachment, or anxiety issues as topics for our meetings, or read and share educational material about them. However we frequently discuss how our individual practice helps us with these and other challenges in our lives. Therefore, we are a normal Spiritual Friends group whose members have experienced, or are experiencing significant mood, attachment, or anxiety problems.
We use the IMCW SF meeting format: meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
Sunday 7:00-8:30 p.m., twice per month
Silent meditation and check-in, followed by group discussion.
Thursday evenings (alternating)
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
Monday nights from 7:30-9:00pm, twice per month
To begin meeting this group needs a facilitator and 8-10 participants to sign up.
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
Virginia
3rd Thursday 7-9 p.m., monthly
Group time includes 30 minutes of sitting meditation, check-in, and discussion of readings. Appropriate for YLM alumni and meditators with 3 or more years of experience.
Alternating Tuesdays, 1-3:00 pm ET
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice. The group meets both virtually and in-person, depending on the weather and the host.
To begin meeting this group needs a facilitator and 8-10 participants to sign up.
For women only. Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
TBD – Sunday afternoon suggested
To begin meeting this group needs a facilitator and 8-10 participants to sign up.
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
Step two: complete the questionnaire for a group
These groups are currently closed (full)
Online
1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 8 pm ET
Online meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
Sunday, 7-8 p.m. ET, 1st & 3rd week
Online meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
Alternating Thursdays, 7pm ET
Online meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
District of Columbia
Mondays, 7:30 p.m., monthly
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice. Focuses on Self Compassion in the service of advancing on the path of Insight (Vipassana) meditation.
Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., twice per month
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice. Focuses on Self Compassion in the service of advancing on the path of Insight (Vipassana) meditation.
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm, twice per month
Appropriate for members who have at least 2 years of practice and a commitment to maintain a daily practice (even if that doesn’t actually occur every day – it’s the aspiration and intention that is important to us).
We start with a short check-in or mindful discussion about a book we’ve selected (15 min.), followed by a silent meditation sit (25 min.) and then a longer check-in related to our practice and mindfulness in daily life.
TBD
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
Tuesday, 7-8:30 pm, twice per month
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice.
Maryland
Sunday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th week
We follow the typical process of a two-hour meeting, opening with meditation, then a check-in, then a topic reading and discussion.
2nd and 4th Monday
Silent meditation and check-in, followed by group discussion.
Tuesday evenings, twice per month
We typically sit for 20 minutes, then have a period of sharing about our experiences with our practice followed by Dharma study and a concluding short sit.
Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., 1st & 3rd week
Initial sitting, checking in and sharing, final sit. On the 3rd Wednesday, there is a Dharma talk after the initial sit.
Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m., twice per month
Silent meditation and check-in, followed by group discussion.
Virginia
Alternating Sundays, 4-5:30 pm ET or 7-8:30 pm ET
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice. The group meets both virtually and in-person, depending on the weather and the host.
Third Wednesday, 7:30-9:30 pm ET
Meditation and check-in, followed by mindful discussion, group process time and final short sit/metta practice
Step 2 of 2: complete the group questionnaire
Please note your preferred group and select it in the drop down in the questionnaire. We will send you an orientation invite after we review your questionnaire.
