Change Your Mind Day

Saturday June 4
10 am - 3 pm
Open Way Mindfulness Center
702 Brooks

In 1993 Tricycle created Change Your Mind Day, an afternoon of free meditation instruction, as a way of introducing the general public to Buddhist thought and practice. Tricycle decided to hold the teachings out of doors, as in the time of the Buddha, in the hopes of welcoming people who otherwise might shy away from the formality of a zendo or gompa.

A few hundred people showed up for the first Change Your Mind Day, a pleasant mix of newcomers and seasoned practitioners. Seven Buddhist teachers from different lineages gave instruction. Alan Ginsberg and Philip Glass performed "Do the Meditation Rock." Maggie Newman got the crowd up on their feet to do twenty minutes of tai-ch'i. A lone shakuhachi ended the day as the sun began to set behind the trees.

Change Your Mind Day has since grown into a worldwide event that now takes place every year on the first Saturday in June. Some gatherings are large, attracting thousands of people, while others may consist of just a handful sitting together and reading guided meditations from a variety of Buddhist traditions. But whether attended by many or few, the event is always powerful, connecting thousands of silent sitters around the globe.

This is Missoula's third year participating in Change Your Mind Day. Each hosting Sangha will lead a practice starting on the hour in the following order:
• Open Way
• Ewam
• Rocky Mountain Buddhist Center
• Osel Shen Phen Ling
• Vipassana

If the weather breaks we will be outside near Rose Park next to Open Way, otherwise all activities will be held inside. There will be Tipu's chai and Le Petit scones, as well as other snacks and beverages available. For more information please call 549-7317.