Who We Are

The New London Community of Mindfulness is a warm, inclusive Buddhist Sangha rooted in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village community. Guided by the principles of engaged Buddhism, we come together in the spirit of mindfulness, compassion, and deep connection—to practice sitting and walking meditation, mindful sharing, and deep listening.

Open to people of all backgrounds, identities, and spiritual paths, our community offers a refuge for those seeking peace, healing, and spiritual growth. We are grounded in values of presence, simplicity, and interbeing, and we aspire to nurture a world of greater understanding and kindness through collective practice. While we honor the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, we also explore the broader Buddhist tradition as we support one another in living fully, openly, and with awareness.

Where We Meet

We currently congregate at All Souls Congregation in New London CT 06320, every Tuesday at 7am, and every Thursday at 3pm.

We also meet on Wednesdays via zoom at 7:15am.

If this is your first time joining us, you are encouraged to read through our first-timer’s page!

What We Do

On Tuesdays, we sit for half an hour, practicing mindful breathing in silence. Afterwards, we practice walking meditation for about 10 minutes, and then do a group dharma sharing based on a weekly reading.

About Mindful Breathing

This text was borrowed from the Harmony sangha. We will update it!

Our breathing is the stable, solid ground in which we can take refuge. Regardless of our internal weather – our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions- our breathing is always with us like a faithful friend. Whenever we feel carried away, or sunken in a deep emotion, or scattered in worries and projects, we return to our breathing to collect and anchor our mind.

We feel the flow of air coming in and going out through our nose. We feel how light and natural, how calm and peaceful our breathing functions. At any time, while we are walking, gardening, or typing, we can return to this peaceful source of life. We do not need to control our breath. Feel the breath as it actually is. It may be long or short, deep or shallow. With our awareness, it will naturally become slower and deeper. Mindful breathing is the key to uniting body and mind and bringing the energy of mindfulness into each moment of our daily life.

About Our Practice

We begin our gathering with a 30-minute seated meditation as a group. At the start of the sit, the leader (or designated person) rings the singing bowl three times, signaling the beginning of our practice.

Following the sit, we transition into walking meditation. We first walk together in a straight line at a slow, mindful pace, staying in sync with our breath. After a little while, the leader rings the bell again, signaling the shift to individual walking meditation at a slightly faster pace, allowing each person to move freely while maintaining mindfulness.

Once the walking meditation concludes, we return to our seats for a group discussion based on a weekly reading. This sharing space is an opportunity to reflect on the reading and our practice, speaking from our own experience. We follow a mindful sharing format: there is no cross-talk or direct responses. Instead, each person takes a turn to share by bowing in and out, ensuring a space of deep listening and presence.