A “sangha” is a local community of mindfulness practitioners who gather to meditate, to share their joys and difficulties, and to encourage each other on the path of practice. Meeting regularly with others to sit and share together is a precious way to cultivate our understanding and compassion and to re-establish our deep connection with others. Every community has groups that you can find to enjoy this lovely practise.   

At a recent group meditation with a Vernon based group, one of the members discussed the joy she had doing walking meditation in Carlson Park.  

Carlson Park is a little-known off-leash dog park southwest of downtown Vernon. Visitors access the park from Bench Row Road. 

Carlson park is a hidden gem. It has many well-treed trails that provide lots of shade in the summer and an open area with a beautiful view of the valley. 

The changing seasons, the birth and death of leaves, provide the opportunity for contemplation for one walking quietly in Carlson Park. 

The great poet Rumi once said: “Anything born in spring dies in fall, but love is not seasonal.” 

The Emily Dahl Foundation