Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center

A mindfulness practice community in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, offering online and in-person programs from our groups in Columbia, Gaithersburg, Sandy Spring, Silver Spring, Stevensville, and Takoma Park, Maryland. Mindfulness is our capacity to be fully present in our own lives, to be more fully aware of what we are doing as we are doing it. As we develop our awareness, an inner stillness naturally grows. We are better able to embrace the world, better able to respond wisely and lovingly.The Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center's mission is to nurture all who wish to practice mindfulness. We are part of a world-wide network of communities inspired by the teachings and practices of Thich Nhat Hanh, a widely-known Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, and activist. We are also incorporated as a religious non-profit corporation in the state of Maryland.Still Water began in 1999 when a small group of people began meeting regularly to meditate and to cultivate the mindfulness-in-daily-life practices taught by Thich Nhat Hanh. For four years, they met in Takoma Park, in the attic of Crossings, A Center for the Healing Traditions. In 2003 the group moved with Crossings to downtown Silver Spring. In 2005 Mitchell Ratner became Still Water's full-time Senior Teacher, a position he still holds.As participation in Still Water grew, other practice groups, or Sanghas, began to form in other locations. Today Still Water Sanghas meet weekly in Annapolis, Ashton, Columbia, Gaithersburg, Sandy Spring, Silver Spring, and Takoma Park, Maryland. Our regular weekly groups meet at various times of the day and on every day of the week except Saturday. One of our regular groups is conducted in Spanish, the rest are in English. (Weekly Practice)Members of the Still Water community come together to sit quietly in meditation, to learn mindfulness practices such as sitting meditation, walking meditation, and eating meditation, and to support one other in our lives' journeys. A typical Sangha meeting lasts one to two hours and includes sitting meditation, walking meditation, and a Dharma sharing focused on mindfulness in everyday life. The larger groups offer an orientation to mindfulness and the Still Water community once each month. Newcomers and experienced practitioners are always welcome.Practice groups based on shared interests have also formed over time. At present, Still Water has a Mindful Families group, a Mindful Educators Community, a Prison Meditation group, and a group of volunteers that support Shepherd's Table, a non-profit organization in Silver Spring that provides assistance to people who are homeless or in need.We regularly offer classes, workshops, days of practice, retreats, and other special events. The best way to stay informed about our activities is to subscribe to our email newsletter, which provides information about each Thursday's program at Crossings in Silver Spring, as well as other events in our community and in the area.