about our sangha
A sangha is a community of people who practice together
weekly meetings
We gather weekly to listen, share, learn and practice together.
We cultivate mindful energy to understand and water the wholesome seeds of character strengths within all of us.
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We use character strengths to strengthen our mindfulness practice and to connect with the community.
flowing together
"You need a sangha;
you need a brother or sister, or friend to remind you what you already know".
Thich Nhat Hanh
By practicing together
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we receive support and inspiration
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we pool our wisdom
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we have a refuge, where all we need to do is arrive and be
safe and mindful
We practice deep listening and loving speech.
We learn skillful ways to water and express our character strengths seeds (e.g., kindness, bravery, fairness, curiosity, critical thinking, gratitude, forgiveness, teamwork, hope, and more!).
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We discover ways to be together harmoniously and joyfully.
Sangha details
date & times
We meet weekly on Friday at 9AM Eastern Standard Time
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You can check a time zone converter such as: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html
to determine the correct time in your area.
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You may like to arrive a few minutes early to give yourself space to settle.
general format
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welcome
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opening bell
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opening practice
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strengths practice with group sharing together​
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announcements
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closing practice
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goodbyes
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Sangha Caretakers
joyfully together
Blooming Strengths Sangha was founded by a group of practitioners who want to help create a positive global impact:
​Terri Hagar Scherer (United States)
Terri is a social emotional arts educator, practitioner of character strengths, and meditation guide. Courageous heart-centered connection continues to guide her north on our collective journey together.
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Rakel Magnúsdóttir (Iceland)
Rakel is a mindfulness and character strengths practitioner. Mindfulness had a big impact in her life when she was studying positive psychology. She learned to become a mindfulness teacher and is also trained in leading Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP).
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Dr. Ryan Niemiec (United States)
Ryan (True Presence of Strength) is an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing. He is Chief Science Officer of the VIA Institute on Character, founder of Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP), and author of 14 books including Mindfulness and Character Strengths, The Mindfulness and Character Strengths Workbook, and Peace Psychology and Character Strengths.
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Dr. Orlaith O'Sullivan (Ireland)
Orlaith (True Garden of the Nectar of Immortality) is an ordained member of The Order of Interbeing. She teaches mindful living internationally and joyfully, and is a consultant with Harvard University and Dartmouth University.
Maria Grazia Serra (Italy, Luxembourg)
Maria Grazia encountered mindfulness meditation along with the study of character strengths and has since become a passionate promoter of both. She accompanies her clients in discovering the surprise of the present moment, being surprised every time as well.
Tran Vinh Tan (France)
Tan (Virtue of The Heart) is an ordained member of The Order of Interbeing. He practices and shares mindful living and leadership happily, and is co-founder of Insight Leadership and The Flourishing Circle.​
We practice to...
breathe
Our breath is a bridge connecting our body and mind to this moment of our life.
remember
We have 24 strengths inside us. They can empower us to be present, enjoy this precious moment and face challenges when they arise.
connect
We walk this path together to deepen our understanding, love and joy.
"A sangha is a garden..."
"A sangha is a garden, full of many varieties of trees and flowers. When we can look at ourselves and at others as beautiful, unique flowers and trees we can truly grow to understand and love one another. One flower may bloom early in the spring and another flower may bloom in late summer. One tree may bear many fruits and another tree may offer cool shade. No one plant is greater, or lesser, or the same as any other plant in the garden. Each member of the sangha also has unique gifts to offer to the community."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
