TOOL: Choose a Meditation Teacher

Q: Why learn Meditation from a Buddhist Monk/Nun?

A: Buddhist Monks/Nuns gave up sex, money, fame, overeating, alcohol, nicotine & other drugs.

P.S. The background noise in the video is from the neighbors.

Monks took vows to renounce not just alcohol and other drugs but everything that has the potential to harm themselves and others. Monks have the basic needs of Life -- such as safe housing (a single hut), clothes (robes), healthful food (2 meals per day - only breakfast and lunch), healthcare, wise friends, introspection and shared chores (housekeeping, maintenance, and grounds-keeping). However, Monks have no salary, no access to money, no trust fund to fall back on, and no audience (as beginner monks). They have practiced meditation at length under those circumstances, dealt with Basic Instincts under those circumstances, and have taken and kept The 5 Precepts while in robes:

(Precept 1) I will not destroy Life with my action or non-action (my failure to act).

(Precept 2) I will not steal or take anything that is not freely given to me, and I will not use more than I need (versus want) of anything (including nicotine, food, sugar, drink, power, drugs, money, sex, cells, entertainments, talk, silence, sleep, exercise, breaks, work, and money).

(Precept 3) I will not listen to gossip or to people who gossip, and I will not talk about anything or anyone—including myself—in any way (with my words, voice, volume, or face) that is untruthful, prideful, or otherwise harmful to myself or others.

(Precept 4) I will not engage in sexual misconduct with myself or others; I will respect my commitments and the rights and commitments of others; and I will be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new Life into the world.

(Precept 5) I will not take into my body any substance that causes harm to my body, my brain, or my decision-making ability, or that causes me to harm others.

Some of the following links are or were Buddhist Monks/Nuns - Teaching what the Buddha taught while or after experiencing renunication (giving up) of money, sex, intoxicants, fame, family and economic security.

Some of the following links are Meditation Teachers - People who have studied but not experienced complete renunciation.

Some of the following links are Meditation Groups (Peers, Students, "Sangha", Home Groups) who are trying to renounce harm and practice meditation together.

I think the times noted are changed to reflect Daylight Savings Time, which began Saturday. March 12, 2023 at 2:00 a.m.

This is by no means an exhaustive list -- just ones that I know of and have attended.

MONK (Former): Individual Instruction By Request John Orr https://johnorrmeditation.com/about-j...

MONKS (Current): Individual Instruction By Request Won Dharma Center USA (HQ in NY) https://wondharmacenter.org/individua...

HOME GROUP/SANGHA: Mondays at 7:40am Eastern Time (12:40pm in London) Lunchtime Meditation Group of The Buddhist Society of London https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/pa...

MONKS: Tuesdays at 7:00am Eastern Time (7pm in Western Australia) Armadale Meditation Group of The Buddhist Society of Western Australia https://bswa.org/location/armadale-me...

MONKS: Tuesdays at 7:30pm Eastern Time Won Dharma of North Carolina https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/weekly-...

HOME GROUP/SANGHA: Wednesdays (Sometimes?) at 7:00pm Eastern Time SouthEast Buddhist Group https://sebuddhist.org/activities/cal...

MONKS: Thursdays at 10:00am and 7:00pm Eastern Time Won Dharma of North Carolina https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/weekly-...

HOME GROUP/SANGHA: Fridays at 7:40am Eastern Time (12:40pm in London) Lunchtime Meditation Group of The Buddhist Society of London https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/pa...

MONKS: Saturdays at 10:00am Eastern Time Won Dharma of North Carolina https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/weekly-...

MONKS: Sundays at 10:00am Eastern Time Won Dharma USA https://wondharmacenter.org/calendar/

MONKS & MEDITATION TEACHERS: Sundays at 1:30pm Eastern Time (10:30am Pacific Time) Pacific Zen Institute https://www.pacificzen.org/events/

MONKS: Https://www.DalaiLama.com

MONK (FORMER): Https://TarrantWorks.com

MONKS & MEDITATION TEACHERS: Https://www.PacificZen.org

MONK & MEDITATION TEACHERS: https://deepspring.org (NOTE: Includes religious references, such as Jesus, and channeling)

MONKS & MEDITATION TEACHERS: Https://SouthernDharma.org

MONK (FORMER): Http://HardcoreZen.info

MONKS: Https://PlumVillage.org

MONKS: Https://www.BSWA.org

MONKS: Https://ZenArizona.com