Founded by Geshe Thupten Dorjee and Professor Sidney Burris, the Tibetan Cultural Institute of Arkansas works to preserve the cultural heritage of Tibet through education, demonstration, and participation. For more information, visit their web site at www.artibet.com.

In association with the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville. This group meets every Tuesday evening from 7:00 - 8:00 pm for meditation and discussion at the UU Fellowship, 901 West Cleveland, Fayetteville. The Tuesday evening sessions combine meditation and discussion, with each session led by a different volunteer. A 10 to 15 minute check-in is followed by 20 minutes of meditation. The last 30 minutes consist of a group discussion of a topic or reading selected by the meeting leader. Free and open to all. For more information, visit www.uubuddhist.com.

An ecumenical group offering Buddhist meditation and readings from diverse sources. Currently lead by Joshua Newman, Geoff and Leslie Oelsner, and others. Meetings include a 20 minute and a 10 minute meditation complete with instruction and discussion. Our purpose is to support participants' spiritual development. All experience levels are welcome. Free of charge and open to all.

The group meets from from 7:30 - 8:30 pm pm every Thursday in the downstairs room at the Arkansas Yoga Center located at 1949 N. Green Acres Road in Fayetteville.

For more information, call Josh Newman at (479) 422-6526 or Geoff Oelsner at (479) 521-2395.

Popular Tibetan Buddhist monk Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee, from the Tibetan Cultural Institute of Arkansas, leads meditation and gives a dharma talk from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm on Sundays. The group meets at Dramis Hardwood Floors, 2275 S School Ave, in Fayetteville. All are welcome. For more information, contact Karen Chotkowski at 587-8920. Geshe-la publishes a blog at http://readwrite.typepad.com/meditation/

Fayetteville Soto Zen Center has changed its name to Fayetteville Soto Zen Meditation Group, and has moved from United Campus Ministries.

As of May 7, 2007, FSZMG will meet at Arkansas Yoga Center, 1949 Green Acres, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72703, which is located behind the Fayetteville AQ Chicken Restaurant on College Avenue. Weekly meetings of FSZMG are held upstairs at AYC, Mondays from 7:30 pm sharp to 9:00 pm.

The practice of Zen involves focusing the mind on nothing while being totally aware during meditation (zazen). Participants sit zazen facing the wall for 30 minutes, do a brief period of walking meditation, and go back to sitting for another 20 minutes. This is usually followed by a Dharma talk and a short discussion. Cushions are provided.

For more information, call group leader Jack McDowell at 479-789-2531. For a collection of Jack's Dharma talks go to zentalks.blogspot.com. Writing under his Zen name-- Kan-za - he hits the timeless bull's-eye every time.

Joy Fox's center offers monthly “Dharma Days” with guided instruction in Vipassana meditation techniques of walking and sitting, metta, “sweeping” the body with detailed awareness, and a group discussion of consciousness in daily life. Longer meditation retreats with other teachers are occasionally available, and private silent retreats with guidance can also be arranged for individuals. Yoga, dance, and cob-building are also on the eclectic menu at Wattle. Cobspaces are available for groups. Near Devil's Den. Contact Joy at 479-521-7148 or visit wattlehollow.com.

Located in Fayetteville, near the University campus. The Center was founded in 1986 and is an affiliate of the Kwan Um School (www.kwanumzen.org) of Zen. It offers Zen practice twice weekly: morning practice on Sundays at 9 and evening practice on Wednesdays at 5:30. Both include chanting and sitting (and sometimes walking) meditation, followed by a Dharma talk or reading and an opportunity for questions or discussion. The Center also holds one-day or weekend retreats at least once a year. Beginners are welcome. Contact Barbara Taylor at 479-521-6925.

This group meets at Annee Littell's house in Fayetteville. People can contact her for current information on meeting days. The group meets twice a month in the evenings. Participants practice sitting and walking meditation and then have a short reading with time for people to respond or to share anything that they want to. To learn more, call Annee Littell at 479-521-2164.

Ben Worth, J.D., founder of the American Buddhist Center in Kansas City, Mo., facilitates a monthly Saturday Vipassana Insight Meditation. These retreat days are often held on the third Saturday of the month from 9:00 am till 4:00 pm. You are asked to bring a pot luck lunch which will be shared in silence. As with all of Ben’s teachings there is no fee, but you will have an opportunity to share your generosity. Call Unity for details and directions at 442-0680, or visit www.unityfay.org.

Unity members and friends also offer Morning Mindful Meditation. 8am-10am Wednesdays. 332 N. Fletcher Avenue, Fayetteville. We begin with 30 minutes of meditation, watch a dharma video, share some insights and close with another 30 minutes of meditation. Everyone is welcome, no fee. Call Kate 443-0961.

Perry Randall studies and practices in the Kammathana tradition of the Dhammayuta Nikaya, and teaches and practices meditation in the lineage of Ajahn Mun. He is available for private or group instruction in Theravadin meditation practices. For more information, contact Perry at 479-387-6243.

is an American Buddhist movement promoting world peace and individual happiness based on the philosophy and practice of Nicherin Buddhism. According to Nicherin Buddhism, the workings of the universe are an expression of a single principle, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the title and essence of the Lotus Sutra. Through the practice of chanting, faith and study, we tap into our Buddha nature within and transform sufferings into happiness in our individual lives and in our communities. Meetings are held at various times and locations in the area, including a group that meets on the University of Arkansas campus. For information call Kevin McDonald at 479-422-0146. SGI-USA.org

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) works in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence. We are a chapter-based network of young people and activists around the world. Through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action, we campaign for Tibetans' fundamental right to political freedom. Our role is to empower and train youth as leaders in the worldwide movement for social justice.

Both student and non-student memberships are avaiable. For more information, visit www.uark.edu/ua/tibet/.

We get a few requests about how best to learn meditation. Here's our best advice.

There's really no better way to learn how to meditate than to learn from an experienced teacher or group. When you make the commitment to learn meditation, you should also make the commitment to practice regularly: at least once or twice a day for at least two to three weeks -- anything less than that will not give you enough of an experience to allow you to judge whether or not meditation is "for you." We also recommend regular practice within a group setting so that you can share your experience and questions with other meditators.

The Buddhist Meditation and Spiritual Support Group provides meditation instruction at the beginning of each of their Thursday evening meetings. Contact Josh Newman at (479) 422-6526 or Geoff Oelsner at (479) 521-2395 for more information.

Geshe Thupten Dorjee also provides periodic meditation instruction through the Tibetan Buddhist Practices group, and through his interactions with the University of Arkansas community. Contact Geshe-la through the Tibetan Cultural Institute of Arkansas web site for more information and scheduling.

Perry Randall is available for private or group instruction in Theravadin meditation practices. For more information, contact Perry at 479-387-6243.

For those who are unable to schedule face-to-face instruction, the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship publishes a Vary Basic Meditation Primer with some basic instructions and links to other online resources. Members of the UU Buddhist Fellowship can also provide one-on-one instruction upon request -- come a few minutes early to their Tuesday evening meeting and let them know that you need some instruction before the meeting begins.

[Note to other local practice groups: If your group also provides meditation instruction, and you would like to be mentioned here, contact NWA Buddhist with the relevant details.]

Essential Spirit
UU Buddhist Fellowship co-founder James Ownbey's musings on buddhadharma, the China-Tibet situation, human rights, and a sprinkling of politics.

Meditation with Geshe Thupten Dorjee
Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee leads meditation and discussion with the Tibetan Buddhist Practices group on Sundays from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm.

Tibetan Cultural Institute
Web log of the Tibetan Cultural Institute of Arkansas.

Zen Reflections
Dharma talks from Kan-za (Jack McDowell), Fayetteville Soto Zen Meditation Group.