Seattle Dharma Punx
Meet the Crew
I spent the first 18 years of my life being trained to preach the coming of Armageddon. A love affair with rock and roll led me out of that world, but turning my back on a mind full of God had its consequences. For several years I kept my fear and confusion sedated with drugs and alcohol. Eventually I hit the point of despair and breakdown. Out of that desperation I uncovered a fierce passion for the healing arts, meditation, and spiritual practice. The Buddha's teachings have been by my side for the past eight years now and over that time Noah's guidance has provided a great deal of support and inspiration. The Dharma Punx/Against the Stream community is like a family and I'm constantly inspired by our Seattle group's strength and dedication.
~ Rachel, SDPx founder and facilitator
This thinking mind of mine proved very useful in intellectual pursuit while equally successful in maximizing dissatisfaction for a few decades. Took me a while to see the irony in trying to "think my way out" of reducing my suffering, a path that ended up being quite harming to myself and others. Getting out of my head on the yoga mat was when I first started to experience the effects of awareness, glimpses beyond the fog. Several years later I am grateful to have a daily meditation practice, being of service as a yoga teacher and learning to practice mindfulness; the mind is as much of a mess as it's ever been, I'm just a bit more aware of it.
~ Alfredo, SDPx co-facilitator
I began my investigation of Buddhism and meditation at Seattle Dharma Punx in 2008. Before then I had only a vague understanding of meditation's purpose (it makes people levitate? Or something?) and a painful, searing searching in my very distracted brain. I'm still searching, but now I'm much less anxious about the need to find things. The practices of insight and compassion are now slowly--s-l-o-w-l-y--intertwining with the practices of living for me. I have been sitting with Dharma Punx as a co-facilitator for over a year now. I'm especially interested in the geekier sides of Buddhism--how the teachings in our practice intersect with those of many Western philosophers and radical thinkers (especially Gilles Deleuze, Felix Guattari, V.N. Volosinov, Douglas Hofstadter, and Guy Debord), and how how language and symbolic thinking keep us distant from the sensations of the world in the present moment and keep us stuck in samsara.
~ Ian, SDPx co-facilitator
I was initiated into transcendental meditation when I was five, and returned to it repeatedly throughout my life. I came to SDPx in 2008 curious about vipassana meditation and the idea of sitting with a group. This particular brand of no-nonsense Buddhism - the clear concepts of insight meditation, living a life of loving kindness and honesty, and acting in the world with an open, compassionate heart - made perfect sense to me. My life and practice have been profoundly changed because of it. Every day I find another reason to adore this sangha.~ Miranda, SDPx co-facilitator
I spent 10 years in prison for robberies I'd committed to support my drug and alcohol addiction. A few years in, I realized that I didn't want to leave prison thinking the same way as when I came in. So I got clean and sober, was still a mess, and decided that I would try meditating with the Tibetian Buddhist group that came to Airway Heights Correction Center. It worked, but didn't "feel" right. Calvin Malone (author of Razorwire Dharma) was my first teacher and friend, and told me about Noah's book. Then a friend mailed it to me. Reading Noah's book changed everything I thought I knew about the practice. From then on I knew that Buddhism didn't have to be so rigid, and finding out where I belonged would take time. Thich Nhat Hanh talks about "socially engaged Buddhism" and the Dharma Punx fits that for me. Taking my practice off the cushion.
~ Tony, SDPx co-facilitator
Over the last year Dharma Punx has provided me with a much-needed sense of balance to my life. Although my practice has its own ups and downs the sangha has been there to guide me. I cannot express how appreciative I am for everyone who I have sat with and will sit with in the future. ~ Shane
I came To SDPx on a naive almost investigative whimsy to explore new cultural experiences, but I left feeling more grounded and relaxed in my body than ever in life. Furthermore, it was clear that I had unknowingly stumbled upon a group of the most glowing- dandelion-gentle-ladybug-feathers- dripping with honey-spirited humans. The group of people with whom I meditated sought to bring the inner peace they worked hard to cultivate into the external world; growing into what we already are, pure love beings, and spreading this light. I immediately and on cue exited stage left from Catholic beginnings and Atheist Middlings. It took some epiphany inducing life experiences, and I now, a year later, have a name for what was born inside me that day at SDPx: a seed of self-imagined and created spirituality. Meditating and Seeking Peaceful and Powerful Existence within a community who tries to do the same is not only a glorious way to spend an hour and a half on a Sunday night, but also a lifetime. ~ Babylonia
A couple of years ago I was struggling with depression. With the help
and support of SDPx and discovering punk music, I found a way to start to enjoy life and get off medication. I like SDPx because I found lots of people I could relate to. I don't know where I would be with out the help I got from this group. ~ Jacx
My brother took me to the Urban Dharma in SF about a year and a half ago and for once in my life I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I came home and read Dharma Punx and felt a strong connection to Noah's story and sought out something more for myself. Thanks to those who have committed to starting the Seattle DPx, I have a community that I feel connected to. And no matter where I go, this will always be my spiritual home base! ~ Keli
What attracted me to this group was the meditation. I had read a book or two on Buddhism and had a definite interest, but I was never able to focus enough on anything to really dive into it. I had just finished college, done a bit of traveling, and was ready to do a major self overhaul. So, I quit my job for a diferent job which was just as uncomfortable to my character as it was fascinating, and one day after work decided to check out this meditation group nearby that I had read about. I always wondered, how can I truly be aware of anything if I can't even be aware of myself sitting still without being bombarded by thoughts and distractions? I had read Noah's "Dharma Punx" and was mesmerized but how succinctly he described the practice of mediation. Meditation is the direct practice of concentration. Yet, it is so much more. Through concentration we develop mindfulness (insert a book on Buddhism here). I discovered this Seattle group early on and finally started attending regularly, and eventually religiously. As far as I was concerned, nothing could take precedence over my attendance to this group, for everything else that developed over the next couple years was a direct result of this practice. I finally went back to school and am now living abroad fulfilling my dreams. I love observing how tricky the mind truly is, and how mindfulness sometimes seems only to reveal our lack thereof. SDPx is the place to go for the direct practice of concentration, and self discovery, with a loving, supporting, and self sustaining group of individuals. These people will blow you away! As I said before, I didn't really know much about Buddhism, and honestly I still haven't read that much. This is a group of true psychologists, philosophers, and seekers, and I was addicted to their musings. Miss you guys! ~ John
Even though this photo is now some sixty years old, fortunately that young fellow is within me still. My practice allows me to be in touch with him, and to touch me and my surroundings in the here and now. I deeply appreciate the discoveries and joys my sitting practice brings to me. It is especially nice to sit here with others who are likewise exploring the Dharma. ~ Alex
When I first read Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality by Brad Warner I knew I had to get back to meditation. This and a dear friend propelled me to check out the Seattle Dharma Punx. It's a spiritual practice for realists, atheists, skeptics and agnostics alike. I look forward to unraveling the cobwebs with every breath I take. ~ Jamie
I have been meditating on my own for years, but it wasn't until I came to my first Dharma Punx sit that my practice really came into fruition. I came for the meditation and came back week after week for the people. I am filled with gratitude every Sunday for the opportunity to learn more about The Dharma with such amazing and lovely folk. ~ Danaelle
I am a 25 year old recovering Evangelical Christian. Many years of wandering has lead me to this place. While I have not been meditating long, it has become a practice that has brought a level of insight and clarity into my life when I desperately needed it. I am a newcomer to Seattle and to Dharma Punx. I appreciate the people that I have met here and look forward to what the future holds in this new city with new friends and experiences. ~ Andrew
Seattle Dharma Punx sangha thrives only with the involvement and support of its curious, brave, beautiful members. We were all once anxious newcomers to the dharma, and to this community, and we can't wait to welcome you as you step onto this new path.
Join Us
We meet every Sunday night from 7:00-8:30pm at All Pilgrim's church on Broadway & Republican on Capitol Hill. Seattle DPx is donation-based, and open to everyone regardless of tradition or level of experience. All are welcome. Bring yourself. Bring a cushion. Bring a friend full of greed, hatred, and delusion.
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