Sangha House — Chicago, United States

A creative meditation community in a Rogers Park house, Chicago

Before each sit at Sangha House, someone arrives twenty minutes early. They open the windows briefly, arrange the cushions, set the altar with flowers or water, and light two candles and some potala incense. The house's own setup guide puts the idea in one line: "We prepare the space so others can prepare their minds." The house is at 1430 W. Jarvis Ave, near the Red Line in Rogers Park, and its age is a matter of some debate. Real estate records list construction in 1907 to 1909, as a single-family home on a 7,500-square-foot lot. The Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society's street inventory points to a later date, and neighboring houses on Jarvis show mostly 1917 to 1919 build dates. Sangha House's own history page leaves the question open, noting that century-old Chicago houses rarely agree with their paperwork. The people inside describe themselves as a community rather than a temple or a spa. They say plainly that they are inspired by Buddhist philosophy but are not a formal religious group. Classes are donation-based. Introduction to Meditation, a 20-minute class, runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Dharma Deep Dive, also Tuesdays at 7, takes up emptiness, interdependence, lojong, the six perfections and the Bodhisattva path. Guided sound meditation is led by Karen, a Thai massage therapist, sound healer, yoga teacher and reiki practitioner. A candle studio operates on its own written safety practice, and open studio days bring paint and conversation. Residency is the other half of the house. A creative recovery residency selects a new cohort every six months. Residents study, take part in workshops, attend 12-step meetings and group therapy, and are assigned community responsibilities. Applicants need 30 days of sobriety and a willingness to change. Residents pay a modest monthly rent, and everything they make remains theirs, including any proceeds from sales.

Traditions: Buddhist Meditation, Dharma Study, Sound Meditation, Yoga, Breathwork, Walking Meditation

Programs: Introduction to Meditation, Dharma Deep Dive, Guided Sound Meditation, Candle Studio, Open Studio, Creative Recovery Residency, Healing Sessions, 1 on 1 Training