“Take my hand. We will walk. We will only walk.
We will enjoy our walk
without thinking of arriving anywhere."
– Thich Nhat Hanh

Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee

Engaged Buddhism Program

Inspired by the teachings of our root teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, our Engaged Buddhism program brings mindfulness into everyday life—our relationships, communities, and the world around us. It applies compassion, awareness, and Buddhist ethics to address social, environmental, and economic suffering. Rooted in nonviolence, mindful action, and self-care, this approach balances inner peace with meaningful action in the world.

Deepening Our Practice and Engaging with the World

Rooted in mindfulness, our approach to Engaged Buddhism deepens the practice of our members while extending compassion into the world. By bringing mindful awareness into our relationships and community partnerships, we create opportunities for both inner growth and meaningful action.

Our engagements are grounded in mutual benefit and shared purpose. We collaborate with partners who recognize the value of this exchange, inviting the Sangha into work that fosters genuine connection and positive change. Guided by mindfulness and compassion, we strive to contribute thoughtfully and transformatively to the communities we serve.

Mindfulness in Prison

Mindfulness in Prison offers meditation programs in regional correctional facilities, creating open spaces where incarcerated individuals can learn to be present with each other, find inner peace, and experience spiritual growth. Connected to the Wisconsin Prison Mindfulness Initiative (WPMI), our volunteer work fosters communities of practice within the prison system and supports transformation and healing.

We currently serve the following institutions:

Dodge Correctional Institution
Ellsworth Correctional Center
Milwaukee Security Detention Facility
Racine Correctional Institution
Taycheedah Correctional Institution

We are always in need of additional volunteers, as the demand for mindfulness activities and communities of practice remains high. Our members are encouraged to contact the following individuals for questions.

For more information contact: Paul Norton (pnorton42@gmail.com)

Earth Holder Community

The Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee Earth Holder Sangha is a community guided by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village tradition of Engaged Buddhism. In alignment with Earth Holder Sanghas throughout the United States and around the world, we cultivate mindfulness as a foundation for ecological awareness, social justice, and compassionate action. Rooted in the understanding of interbeing, we recognize that caring for the Earth is inseparable from caring for all beings.

Through mindful walking, breathing, sitting, and meditation, we cultivate the inner qualities of presence, compassion, and stability, allowing Earth Holding to arise naturally from clarity and insight. By sharing practice and learning together, we deepen our understanding of interbeing and strengthen our collective capacity to respond to the needs of our planet. We nurture a community grounded in kinship, deep listening, and mutual support, ensuring that our care for the Earth is guided by steadiness, wisdom, and love.

For more information contact: Simone Ferro (sferro59@gmail.com)

Guest House Milwaukee

Each month, the Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee partners with other Buddhist Sanghas to donate and/or serve a meal at the Guest House of Milwaukee, a nonprofit shelter and support center for people experiencing homelessness. The Guest House offers programs that help residents address mental health, addiction, and disabilities while rebuilding stability and independence. It currently serves 86 men and has housingsupport programs for families.

Our monthly meal service reflects our commitment to compassionate engagement while serving our community.

For more information, please contact: Shari Comstock (shareezer@yahoo.com) or Dianne Link (dmlink1@yahoo.com)

Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee