HOW TO BECOME A FRIEND TO THE WORLD
A series of commentaries and meditations exploring love and compassion from a Buddhist perspectiveDecember/January Tuesday and Wednesday evenings
7:30 - 8:45pm. Suggested donation $10 per class
The surest way to personal happiness is to bring happiness to others. This is what we call love. And we know this is true from personal experience
When we love, we wish for others to be free of suffering. This is what we call compassion. And we know this is our best intention.
But there are obstacles to loving and accepting everyone we may meet. Thus we train, one of the great functions of Buddhist meditation.
Come to these enlightening classes guided by Buddhist Teachers Daniel Potter (Tuesday evenings) or Ace Remas (Wednesday evenings) to deepen your life's purpose.
This series will culminate on January 28 with a special ceremony that will commemorate our wish to benefit others. On that day you will be offered the opportunity to take the Bodhisattva Vows, pledging your love and compassion to all, thus strengthening your purpose spiritually as well as in all your relationships.
In this series of beginning meditation classes on Dec. 13 and 14 and throughout January we'll explore all aspects of love, compassion and their obstacles.
All are invited to this practical, no-nonsense look at our lives and our potential to become a true friend to the world. No experience is required and all are welcome.
Lamrim "By the Book"
One Day Meditation Retreats
Beginning Saturday, July 16, 2011
10:30am-12:00pm *** NEW TIME ***
The Lamrim meditations condense all of Buddha's Perfection of Wisdom Sutra teachings into 21 distinct meditations. Their purpose is to help us understand how to integrate Buddha's teachings into our daily life.
During this monthly one-day meditation retreat we will progress through the New Meditation Handbook written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Beginning Saturday, July 16 and continuing once a month thereafter, we will do two meditations lasting 20-30 minutes each. Total retreat length will be about 90 minutes.
These one-day retreats are for people new to meditation who are looking for an introduction to meditation in a structured way, or for people experienced in meditation looking to strengthen their practice in a group setting at the beautiful Mahakaruna Buddhist Meditation Center in Petaluma.
Each retreat is focused on the actual meditation as directed by Geshe Kelsang with no - or very little - commentary. Meditations are guided by Steve Tuscher. Everybody is welcome. $5 donation is requested.
Retreat Schedule for 2011. All retreats begin at 10:30m and last approximately 90 minutes.
| November 19 | Meditations on Recognizing that All Living Beings are Our Mothers and Remembering the Kindness of Living Beings |
| December 17 | Meditations on Equalizing Self and Others and The Disadvantages of Self-cherishing |
| January 21 | Meditations on The Advantages of Cherishing Others and Exchanging Self with Others |
Mid-day Meditations
Tuesday - Saturday
12:15 - 1:15
Weekly Drop-In Meditation Classes
In Napa
INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
Monday Evenings 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Jessel Gallery
1019 Atlas Peak Rd.
Napa Valley classes are led by Mike Smith, devoted student of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, founder of the Mahakaruna Buddhist Meditation Center, and author of the books used in class. He can be reached with any questions at 415-717-4943.
Learn Kadampa Buddhist Meditation
Anyone can learn to meditate. We can improve our capacity to love, find mental peace and happiness through meditation. All you need to know is what to meditate upon and the methods to develop concentration.
All classes begin with an easy breathing meditation that you can practice anytime. This is followed by a brief description of how to meditate on specific states of mind. Precise instructions for finding and holding an object of meditation will be practiced in class through guided meditations and commentary.
No prior experience of knowledge is necessary; and there are no other special requirements. With these instructions, you will learn how to enjoy meditation. You'll develop ways to recognize specific problems and obstacles, and learn specific methods to help resolve the difficulties in your life. As a result you will develop the wish to meditate, gradually transforming your mind and your life.
Petaluma Seven Day Calendar
| Sat Jan 28 | 10:00am | Bodhisattva Vow |
| Sun Jan 29 | 10:30am | Pray for Peace |
| Sun Jan 29 | 12:30pm | Kangso |
| Tue Jan 31 | 12:00pm | Noon Meditation |
| Tue Jan 31 | 7:30pm | GP |
| Wed Feb 1 | 12:00pm | Noon Meditation |
| Wed Feb 1 | 6:00pm | Prostrations |
| Wed Feb 1 | 7:30pm | GP |
| Thu Feb 2 | 12:00pm | Noon Meditation |
| Thu Feb 2 | 6:00pm | Heart Jewel |
| Thu Feb 2 | 7:15pm | TTP |
| Fri Feb 3 | 12:00pm | Noon Meditation |
About Us
Located in Petaluma, California, Mahakaruna Buddhist Meditation Center is the main branch for many venues of Kadampa Buddhism in northern California, from Petaluma and Sacramento up to the Oregon Border, as well as Nevada. Visit our Contact Us page to for more information about the locations we serve. If you'd like to find a center in a region other than northern California and Nevada, please visit our Other Centers page.
