Wild Heart Detroit Meditation Group Fundraiser

My name is Andrew Beer, and I am starting a non-profit insight meditation group in Detroit, MI. At a time when loneliness, depression, and anxiety are at a high, it is my hope that this group will provide members with a sense of community and a means of working skillfully with one's own mind.

This group will focus on presenting Early Buddhist meditation in an accessible and approachable way. In my experience, presenting mindfulness within the context of its Buddhist roots can be inspirational and transformative, helping to build a deep spiritual community.

I came to the meditative path in early recovery from addiction. I was fortunate to find a meditation center in Nashville (where I was living at the time) that provided a sense of acceptance, warmth, and a direct acknowledgment of the pain that I was experiencing. Learning to sit with discomfort and craving allowed me to cultivate an attitude of curiosity and kindness, rather than avoidance or repression. I began to go to the center nearly every day, developed a daily meditation practice, maintained my recovery, joined the board of directors, and have been involved ever since.

Wild Heart Meditation Center is not only a staple for community, meditation, and learning in East Nashville, but now has expanded to a national community of followers through a podcast, retreats, and trainings. It provides a place of refuge for people seeking connection and freedom from the very real suffering of human life.

Eight years since I first became involved, I have moved back home, and am starting a Wild Heart community in Detroit. Wild Heart presents a down-to-earth, participatory style which I believe will resonate strongly with the Detroit community. This group will present the wider Buddhist path in the spirit of “ehipassiko” which means “encouraging investigation” or more colloquially “come and see for yourself.” The Buddha encouraged this approach of examining teachings to see if they are true in one’s own experience, rather than accepting them on pure faith. Emphasis will be placed on making the teachings and practices accessible to all, regardless of religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

This group will operate solely off donations and my aim is simply to provide the same opportunity that was offered to me to the larger Detroit community. Your donations will go directly towards providing cushions and chairs and providing a safe space for anyone and everyone to come and practice together.

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IG: @wildheartdetroit