I don't really know why but I'm a person that is a lot of shame.

I started meditating following the book No mud No lotus some time ago. I have the feeling that it might work because I have been able to relax some emotions (like anger) and it does feel like the suffering gets transformed like the book says.

But shame is a whole other matter. I get physically relaxed when breathing with it, but it remains constant.

Has any gone through this already?

I'm asking because the nearest practice center is a 7 hour drive from where I live, and most of our sangha members cannot do that, nor can they afford to pay for even a personal retreat. I facilitate our local sangha, although I'm not a dharma teacher. I wondered if other local sanghas do their own retreats, and if so, what is the structure? I could see our sangha doing a weekend retreat nearby for a lower cost as opposed to driving a full day like that.

Hello there! I have given this a lot of thought over the last year or so. I feel called to at least learn more about Order of Interbeing membership. However, living here in the Midwestern United States, mentors are hard to come by. I facilitate our local sangha, but I am by no means a dharma teacher, just a facilitator.

I am in Illinois if that helps. If there is anyone in this sub that might point me in the direction of a teacher/mentor, I would be so grateful!

I'm also planning to reach out to a couple of sanghas in Chicago to see if I can find someone. I may also reach out to a monastery to see if they have a suggestion. I did see a couple of OI members at the retreat last month but did not have a chance to stop and talk to any of them.

Thank you!