The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is calm and peaceful we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions.
If we examine our life we will discover that most of our time and energy is devoted to mundane activities, such as seeking material and emotional security, enjoying sensory pleasures, or establishing a good reputation.
Although these things can make us happy for a short time, they are not able to provide the deep lasting contentment that we long for. Sooner or later our happiness turns into dissatisfaction, and we find ourselves engaged in the pursuit of more worldly pleasures.
Directly or indirectly, worldly pleasures cause us mental and physical suffering by stimulating attachment, jealousy, and frustration. Moreover, seeking to fulfill our own desires often bring us into conflict with others.
If true fulfillment cannot be found in worldly pleasures, then where can it be found? Happiness is a state of mind, therefore the real source of happiness lies in the mind, not in external circumstances.
If our mind is pure and peaceful we will be happy, regardless of our external conditions, but if it is impure and unpeaceful, we will never find happiness, no matter how much we try to change our external conditions.
The method to make our mind pure and peaceful is to train in meditation.
All our classes and retreats are designed to solve the problems of modern living, providing relevant solutions to the struggles we all face on a day to day basis. Through practical, simple, and scientific methods, everyone can directly transform the way they perceive themselves, others, and the world in which we live. We offer tools you can immediately apply to solve daily problems and become calmer, more relaxed, and happier.
Buddha’s teachings provide practical solutions to pervasive mental and emotional difficulties, helping to heal anxiety, stress, anger, frustration, depression, loneliness, jealousy, addiction, boredom, and confusion.
Through spititual training, we can all learn to cultivate inner qualities that lead to authentic, lasting peace simply by changing our thoughts and attitudes. Through practicing Kadampa Buddhist meditation, we become kinder, more patient, positive, joyful, relaxed, confident, focused, content, blissful, creative, and fulfilled
The practical meditations and ideas we teach help people change their mind, which is the most powerful agent of change in the world. Our experience of everything is a reflection of the quality of our mind. So, if we wish to change our world, we need to change the quality of our mind. By thinking about ourselves, others, and the world around us in more constructive and positive ways, we are able to have a positive impact upon our relationships and our world.
We have an extraordinary capacity to change. Step by step, we can learn how to tap into this powerful potential that lies within. Gradually, through training our mind, we can ripen our highest spiritual potential, the fully awakened state of enlightenment, and be of tremendous benefit to our family, friends, and to this world.
Take the time to Relax, Meditate, and be Inspired.
We offer weekly meditation classes and other events in Asheville, NC; Greenville, SC; and Knoxville, TN suitable for beginners and advanced meditators alike. Everyone is welcomed to attend
What should I expect at a class?
Each class consist of guided meditations and practical advice for solving our daily problems through applying different ways of thinking that lead to the experience of greater inner peace.
Each class is self contained and you do not need to attend an entire series to benefit. You can drop-in to any class that works for your schedule and there is no need to pre-register for our weekly classes.
For courses you may register online or at the door. Chairs and cushions are provided.
Check our calendar for updated schedule and class breaks. Calendar
Saturday, October 7 | 10:30am - 1:00pm
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.
Saturday, October 28 | 10:00am - 11:30am
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.
Tuesday, October 31 | 7-8pm
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.
December 1-3
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.
Je Tsongkhapa Kadampa Buddhist Center
1070 Tunnel Road, Bldg 2, Unit 20
Asheville, NC 28805
epc@meditationinasheville.org
(828) 668-2241
1070 Tunnel Road,
Bldg 2, Unit 20
Asheville, NC 28805
epc@meditationinasheville.org
(828) 668-2241
© 2023 Je Tsongkhapa KBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
