While it might sound scary to meditate on death according to Buddhist wisdom it is one of the most freeing and liberating contemplations we can engage in. We may not be happy to hear about our death, but meditating on our death and developing a deep mortality awareness will bring so much meaning to our life.

In this relaxing weekend retreat we will learn how to use meditation on the mind (known as Mahamudra meditation) to experience greater peace, clarity and well-being. Derived from the Buddhist Mahamudra tradition, the meditation on this retreat will lead you on a voyage of exploration of your mind through which you can discover your own inner potential for lasting peace and happiness.

Karma is one of those subjects that we have all heard about but not quite sure why we should care about it or how it influences our daily life. Understanding karma - the law of cause and effect - and living in accordance with what we’ve uncovered is actually a powerful diagnostic tool to begin to understand and remedy our daily problems  and at the same time chart a positive course for our life.

Being a kind and considerate person doesn’t require us to worry about what others think about us. In fact, this concern makes us feel insecure and anxious, and leads to an inauthentic life.

In this course, we learn how to free ourselves from our preoccupation with what others are thinking and our fears of criticism. This new freedom will improve our relationships with ourselves and others. Includes guided meditation, talks, time for Q&A and a break with refreshments. Everybody Welcome.

We inhabit many physical spaces in our life. but our spaces have a relationship to the activities we engage in. For example walking into the kitchen and just seeing food or pots and pans will remind us to prepare food and eat. Our desk and computer reminds us to work. The gym - a place we work-out. A hiking trial a place to mix with nature. Since our activities are normally anchored to physical objects and physical space we can support our meditation practice by creating our own sacred space.

In this fun mini-course we will explore the symbolism of objects on a shrine, their meaning and function, and how to enjoy setting up your own personal sacred space.

Let's face it certain attitudes we hold are troubling. Jealousy, competitiveness and deluded pride for example, cause us to relate to ourself as needy, fearful and not able to measure up. They cause us to feel insecure.

We know jealousy has no good qualities but can’t always move beyond it. Competitiveness may not start out as a problem but can easily go astray. Deluded pride...well what is the difference between pride and deluded pride.? Join us for this meaningful exploration through the lens of buddhist psychology and see why these minds are not our friend, and how we can become free of them. Includes guided meditation, talks, Q & A and refreshments.

The practice of offering the mandala is a very powerful practice for pacifying our unpeaceful minds such as attachment or craving and hatred. It is a special method for receiving the inspiration or blessings of enlightened beings and for improving our experience of love and compassion. In this half-day course through faith and correct Imagination we can learn how to create vast amounts of ‘good karma’ positive mental energy or ‘merit’ that will help Dharma realizations grow in our hearts.

Anxiety is quite prevalent in these turbulent times. It is common to experience fear and anxiety, and as a result we often turn to things that don’t address the real problem. We try to numb ourselves with denial, distractions, food or other substances, or we just exhaust ourself trying to control everything around us. In this half-day course based in Buddhist Psychology we will learn time tested methods that will help us to deeply relax and take hold of the ‘mind of anxiety’, so that it is no longer in control of our life.

We have all had the experience of accepting something as ok or normal, and then suddenly realizing it is not. We are familiar with suffering and pain being just a part of normal life. We even have a saying for this, “it is what it is” – but what if it actually isn’t?

In this half day course we will be looking through a Buddhist lens at what we accept in our lives as normal, do these things make sense, and if not what we can do to change how we see things and move our minds towards happiness.

Three-part summer series for children ages 6 – 12 and their parent or caregiver. Teachings on Kindness, patience and cherishing others. Will include a story, a teaching and discussion, a short guided meditation, and a craft or activity.

Optional visit to Ultimate Ice cream next door from 3 – 3:30 for socializing with parents/caregivers and children. (Not included in class fee)

Three-part summer series for children ages 6 – 12 and their parent or caregiver. Teachings on Kindness, patience and cherishing others. Will include a story, a teaching and discussion, a short guided meditation, and a craft or activity.

Optional visit to Ultimate Ice cream next door from 3 – 3:30 for socializing with parents/caregivers and children. (Not included in class fee)