Springboard Meditation Sangha, a nondenominational Buddhist meditation group based in Mt. Airy, brings together people seeking to deepen their meditation practice while connecting with others.

Founded in 2011, the sangha (the Buddhist term for a spiritual community) hosts a variety of meditation sessions and discussions throughout the week. While the group originated with in-person gatherings in Mt. Airy, many sessions are now held online, allowing participants from across the Philadelphia region and beyond to join.

The group’s weekly schedule includes silent sitting meditation, Dharma talks exploring Buddhist teachings, and discussion groups during which participants reflect on how mindfulness applies to everyday life.

For many members, the community offers more than just a place to meditate.

“When I walked in, I just felt very much at home,” said meditation teacher Bob Chapra, recalling his first visit to the group years ago. “Something in the air was different.”

Chapra said the support of a meditation community helped him turn what had once been an occasional practice into a regular part of his life.

“By having the support of having a sangha — a place where people support each other in their practice — that’s what got me to really do a daily practice,” he said.

Meditation groups like Springboard have seen growing interest in recent years, particularly as people search for ways to manage stress, anxiety and the pace of daily life.

Some members say they discovered the group while searching online for meditation communities, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many gatherings onto digital platforms.

One participant said they found Springboard while looking for a meditation group in the Philadelphia area and were immediately welcomed.

“People have been very welcoming,” said the participant, who asked not to be identified. “It’s also deepened my journey because it reminded me how important discipline is — even if it’s just a few minutes a day.”

While meditation itself is central to the group’s practice, participants say the conversations that follow are just as meaningful. After many sessions, members share reflections about their experiences, discuss Buddhist teachings or talk about how mindfulness shapes their daily lives.

Chapra said meditation has helped him develop a greater sense of awareness and patience.

“Meditation just helps me be much more aware of what’s going on around me,” he said. “I’m far less reactive than I used to be.”

Over time, participants say those changes can ripple outward — influencing relationships, decision-making and how people respond to challenges.

“It’s made it easier for me to be kind with people,” Chapra said. “It’s opened my heart more.”

For many members of Springboard Meditation Sangha, that combination of mindfulness practice and shared community is what keeps them returning week after week — seeking not only calm, but connection.

For more information, including a calendar and schedule of in-person events, visit springboardsangha.org.