Zen in Mississippi

From Zen in Mississippi's website:

In Buddhism, the group of people who practice together is called a Sangha. A Zen Sangha is formed around a teacher and a core of dedicated students who are committed to the serious practice of zazen. Around this core are others who are investigating, exploring, and experimenting with Zen. Some people practice in this way for many years without making any formal commitment through ordination. They are an important part of the Sangha and are free to practice in this way.

The Sangha that practices with Tony Bland comprises two sitting groups in Mississippi. One is located in Cumberland, about 25 miles west of Starkville, and the other is in Jackson. Tony, who lives and practices in Cumberland, serves as an itinerant teacher for both groups. He leads zazen regularly at the dojo in Cumberland and visits the Jackson group at least once a month. Periodically, Sangha members have the opportunity to get together for longer periods of practice, known as retreats or sesshins, which are held at the dojo in Cumberland.

The Cumberland group was established in Starkville in 1995 and moved its operations to Cumberland in November 2018, when the new dojo there was completed. The Jackson group was also established in 1995 and meets at a meditation hall on the grounds of the Wolfe Fine Arts Studio, near the intersection of I-55 and Northside Drive.

Like any collection of human beings, the Sangha is a fluid organization, changing over time as people come and go. This Sangha is a diverse group of men and women, mostly in their 50's and older, but some are younger and practitioners of any age are welcome. All, including the teacher, are lay practitioners who are actively involved in work and family life. Currently, both of the sitting groups are small, with a typical zazen session or sesshin usually consisting of fewer than ten participants. Despite the small numbers, both sitting group contains dedicated students who have practiced several years, as well those investigating and experimenting with the practice to see if Zen is right for them. Each person is urged to develop their own practice and everyone, especially newcomers and visitors from other Sanghas, are welcome.