Our Mission
Opening Heart Mindfulness Community (OHMC) is a 501c(3) that offers support for learning and practicing mindfulness in a non-sectarian way.
Our foundational practices are based on the tradition of the Plum Village Community and inspired by Buddhist Zen, Vipassana, and other compassionate spiritual traditions. We support and practice social action for the well-being of all and inclusive community building.
We practice to become calmer, more alive, more genuine, and to extend greater understanding and compassion, and to inspire each other to weave present-moment awareness into our everyday lives.
We highly value diversity of racial and cultural identity and background, nationality, sexual and affectional orientation, gender identity and its expression, religious background and belief, marital status, family structure, age, mental and physical health and ability, political perspective, and educational and class status. We recognize that in supporting racial and social justice equity within our sangha and throughout the mahasangha, we support the work of transformation individually and collectively.
We operate with transparent democratic governance, generosity-based economics, and environmental sustainability.
Get to Know the Opening Heart Mindfulness Care Taking Council (CTC) and Dharma Teacher
Shown here is Annie, Camille, Rachel H., DeeDee, Magda, & Rachel.
Our organizational structure centers around a group called the Care Taking Council (CTC). Most sanghas in the Plum Village tradition are guided by a Care Taking Council.
The CTC is the place where day to day decision making happens for the Sangha and is open to facilitators and those with multi-year sangha experience. The CTC is supported by two other groups: a legal board (LB), which manages finances and legal issues and serves as the official board for the non-profit entity, and an Order of Interbeing (OI) group that operates in an advisory role for all sangha operations and for those looking to deepen their practice in the Plum Village tradition and/or pursue the Five and Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings.
Our sangha is supported by the Dharma Teacher, Annie Mahon. A Dharma Teacher is someone recognized by Plum Village and entrusted to carry on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. She offers spiritual direction to the sangha through embodiment of the teachings, offering dharma teachings, sangha building, leadership, spiritual friendship and community care, and supporting socially engaged practice. More details on the definition and role of a Dharma Teacher can be found here.
Get to know the Opening Heart Circles
Our Circles support the projects created and directed by the CTC. These circles meet on a regular basis to carry out the tasks needed to keep the sangha flowing like a river.
Communications Circle
Annie, Kathy, and Rachel shown here. This Circle meets weekly mid-day and manages how to share information on sangha events, plus other Plum Village related events.
Interested in joining us? Contact info@openingheartmindfulness.org
Events Circle
Annie, Camille, DeeDee, and Gerry shown here. This working group meets monthly mid-day (some additional meetings if needed) and manages how to organize and promote our annual retreat and day of mindfulness events.
Learn more about the Events Circle: Contact info@openingheartmindfulness.org
Facilitator Circle
Patricia, Linda, Nancy, Mary, Camille, and Annie shown here. This Circle meets on an as-needed basis to provide support for our Monday, Wednesday, and Friday sangha facilitators.
Contact info@openingheartmindfulness.org
Engaged Mindfulness Circle
Phyllis, Camille, Sheila, and Magda shown here. This Circle offers opportunities for the sangha to stay engaged with and demonstrate compassion in the world. They meet online the last Monday of the month at the end of the day for about an hour.
The vision of the Engaged Mindfulness Circle is to share the benefits of our mindfulness practice. To be proactive in our love and compassion in order to foster compassion, true love, true justice and interbeing in our community and the world at large. To bring more compassion, interbeing and community to our sangha and the maha-sangha through our engagement in joint endeavors that benefit our community and the world at large
Learn more about the Engaged Mindfulness Circle: Contact info@openingheartmindfulness.org
Legal Board
Order of Interbeing (OI)
The Legal Board oversees the legal needs of the sangha, ensuring compliance and guidance on organizational matters. The board consists of 3 members, including the Opening Heart Treasurer, and meets 2-3 times per year. Elections occur every year at the annual meeting, with nominations open to the community. Shown here are Annie, Andy, and Claire. See our income and expense graphics here.
The OI provides Dharma-based guidance to the CTC and Legal Board, offering wisdom and support in decision-making. Members should be ordained members of the Order of Interbeing or official aspirants to the Order. The group meets quarterly or more often as needed to ensure alignment with the sangha’s values and practices. Shown here are Annie, Camille, and Jill.
Social Circle
Strategic Vision Circle
This circle organizes social events for the community such as pot lucks, picnics, hikes, and other unstructured activities.
This circle suggests practices and activities for the community and holds the long-term vision for the sangha. Shown here is Annie.
Here’s how we work together:
Our governance structures are designed to allow the sangha to flow together like a river. Decision-making is based on a sociocratic methodology which is democratic, consent-based, and transparent. Our governance, like that of Plum Village, combines democracy with level of practice experience/seniority, allowing us to increase community bonds and learn and grow together.
Questions, comments, suggestions?
All are welcome to reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you!