About the Alabama Meditation Network
Alabama native Nick Street was meditating weekly with several different groups in the Birmingham area. He also had a diverse group of friends who meditated on their own. The only thing missing from his meditation practice was the opportunity for regular, multi-day meditation retreats. So, on September 10, 2022, Nick gathered the leaders from the Birmingham Shambhala Center, Cahaba River Sangha, Burning Rock Soto Zen group, and Tuscaloosa Zen Meditation Circle, along with a few like-minded friends, to discuss how to network the many groups, individuals, and organizations who meditate in Alabama, and work together to provide state-wide meditation retreats throughout the year.
This group formed the Alabama Mediation Network. AMN is constantly looking for other meditation groups to support and connect with individual meditation practitioners. All of our partners regularly practice meditation as a group, and are open to everyone regardless of gender, race, religion, economic status, and sexual orientation.
If you are a part of a meditation group and would like to join the Alabama Meditation Network, it’s free! Contact us here.
Our logo mark is the Alabama State Flower, the Camellia. The petals represent each meditation practitioner, group and organization in Alabama that are apart of the same flower.
Alabama Meditation Network
Mission Statement
The Alabama Meditation Network (AMN) seeks to connect, support and encourage individuals and meditation communities in Alabama by raising awareness, providing information, and organizing activities that embrace all meditation practices and traditions. In this way, the organization provides regular opportunities for personal growth, community-building, and positive social interaction.
Purpose Statement
The Alabama Meditation Network (AMN) exists to:
- Connect solo meditation practitioners with a local group or organization.
- Create non-sectarian meditation retreats.
The AMN Leadership
Chris Davis
Executive Director
Chris has been meditating since he was a teenager when he learned to do body scan meditations to relax. He has a Masters in Theology and was a Southern Baptist minister for 17 years before he started his long and arduous journey to Buddhism.
He is passionate about building communities where people can be encouraged in their meditation practice and experience the energy of sitting with others. In 2021 Chris founded the Cahaba River Sangha and is an Alabama Meditation Network founding member and Outreach Chairperson.
Chris practices in the Plum Village Tradition of the late Thich Naht Hanh and attends Magnolia Grove Monastery in MS for retreats several times a year. He also enjoys meditating in other traditions like Shambhala, Tibetan, and Insight Meditation.
Chris works in the web design industry but his greatest passion is being a dad to his 3 children. He also enjoys playing guitar and experiencing outdoor adventures with his family.
Tonya Veitch
Program Committee Chair
Tonya is a longtime meditator and the Arts and Culture Coordinator, Council Scribe, and Path Meditation Instructors at the Birmingham Sambhala Center.
Candace Barr
Finance Committee Chair
Candace Barr, CPRW is the owner of Strategic-Resume, an executive resume writing and coaching firm, and has been meditating since 2016.
Chris Davis
Marketing & Outreach Committee Chair
Chris is the owner of Chris Davis Digital, a Digital Product Manager for PNC Bank, and founder of the Cahaba River Sangha. He has been meditating since he was a teenager, even though he didn’t know that was what he was doing at the time.
Board Members
Phyllis Mark
Loraine Locke
Andrew Keitt
Lynn Snow
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