Introducing the New Hope Sangha Board of Directors

A Board of Directors has been formed to support John Orr, our guiding teacher, and the community of the New Hope Sangha. Some of the things we're working on include creating a mission statement, establishing non-profit status, exploring a teacher training program, and providing more social opportunities. We look forward to working with all of you to support our practices and sangha.

Tom Barrie, Chair, back row center
Kathleen Gleiter, Vice Chair, front row far right
Bill Smith, Treasurer, back row right
Beth O'Brien, Secretary, front row right
Pam Chastain, front row left
Jim Jarvis, back row left
John Orr, Ex Officio, front row far left

 

New Hope Sangha beginnings

For many years I have taken the initiative to organize retreats and other meditation programs in central North Carolina. Initially I did much of this work on my own and over the years, thanks to the generous service of others have steadily received help. A retreat committee formed to help organize and run the two weekend retreats we have annually in the area. Today, Jim Jarvis, Pam Chastain, Janice Marie Durand, Cindy Selkirk, and Donna Deal are on the retreat committee and are responsible for putting on the retreats. A combination of the retreat committee, the increasing numbers of people attending the retreats, along with the dedicated practice of yogis who have been coming to meditation classes for years has created interest in forming a more organized sangha, or spiritual community.

The name of our community is New Hope Sangha, named after New Hope Creek, which runs between Chapel Hill and Durham and feeds Jordan Lake. It is our intention that the New Hope Sangha will be a resource for anyone who wishes to learn and practice the dharma. This will be primarily a nondenominational community that respects the wisdom of various spiritual traditions. However, our meditation practices will be grounded in two Buddhist practices: Vipassana (Mindfulness) Meditation and Dzogchen (Non Dual Awareness) Meditation. To facilitate this process we have set up this web site that gives up-to-date information about the meditation programs we are offering, as well as dharma talks by various teachers and other useful information. We also have bimonthly meditation gatherings where we meditate together, discuss the dharma and share in the joy of community. For more information about our Tuesday night sitting group see this page.

May All Beings Be Happy!!

John