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| Lama Karma at Namo Buddha cave in Nepal May 18, 2023 |
| Dear Sangha, We are delighted to announce that Lama Karma Drodhul will be gracing our center with his presence at the end of this month. Lama Karma brings a warm, energetic vibrancy to his teaching and guidance of students. It is an incredible opportunity to learn directly from him and deepen our understanding of Buddhist meditation practices. We send out a detailed schedule and theme for Lama Karma’s upcoming teaching weekend soon. Be on the lookout for this announcement and save the dates! Our regular schedule will continue as usual. Lama Adam Berner and Lama Kathy Wesley will continue guiding us on our spiritual journey. Their teachings have been a source of inspiration and growth for all of us. In addition to the regular teachings, we also have our monthly Chenrezig group practice. This powerful collective practice allows us to cultivate lovingkindness and compassion, benefiting us and all beings. We invite everyone, regardless of experience or background, to join us in this transformative practice. Please mark your calendars and make plans to be with us as we welcome Lama Karma, continue our regular teachings with Lama Adam and Lama Kathy, and participate in the Chrenrezig group practice. Together, let us create a space of tranquility, wisdom, and compassion. May our collective efforts bring peace and joy to all sentient beings. With deep gratitude, Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC Karmapa Khyenno! June 1 | Lama Karma – Guided Meditation June 8 | Chenrezig Practice June 15 | Lama Adam – Ultimately Chenrezig, Relatively Speaking June 22 | Lama Kathy – Joy of Living Book Study July 1-2 | Lama Karma – In-person teaching TBA June 1 Guided Practice with Lama Karma  Lama Karma’s guidance carries a profound wisdom that touches the heart and calms the mind. This guided meditation will delve into inner stillness, cultivating mindfulness and self-awareness. Lama Karma will lead a reflective session, offering insights and answering questions. No matter your experience level, everyone is welcome to participate in this transformative gathering. Whether you are a longtime practitioner or new to meditation, we encourage you to embrace this opportunity to deepen your practice and connect with our compassionate community. Please join us tonight and be part of this enriching experience with Lama Karma. Let us come together, creating a space of tranquility, wisdom, and compassion as we embark on this guided meditation and reflection journey. June 8 Chenrezig Practice  Chenrezig’s practice is a profound meditation that cultivates compassion and loving-kindness. This practice is open to all, it will be in English and Tibetan, and we encourage everyone to participate and experience its transformative effects. Chenrezig, also known as Avalokiteshvara, embodies compassion in Tibetan Buddhism. Through this practice, we tap into the limitless wellspring of compassion within ourselves and extend it to all sentient beings. It is a beautiful opportunity to nurture our hearts, deepen our connection with others, and bring positive change into the world. We welcome you to join us regardless of your experience or familiarity with the practice. We will create a collective space of love, kindness, and healing energy as a compassionate community. Let us unite in our dedication to cultivating compassion and making a positive difference in the world. June 15 Ultimately Chenrezig, Relatively Speaking  In each session, we’ll go deep into one of the practical aspects of tantric Buddhist visualization, using the Short Chenrezig practice as our jumping-off point. Drawing on the teachings of great masters such as Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Bokar Rinpoche, and Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, this series will be a “how-to” for cultivating and reenergizing a meaningful everyday Vajrayana practice, with an emphasis on revealing the thread of sacredness connecting everything. June 22 Joyful Wisdom Book study with Lama Kathy  Lama Kathy will teach Rinpoche’s illuminating perspective, which addresses the timeless problem of anxiety in our everyday lives. “From the 2,500-year-old perspective of Buddhism,” Rinpoche writes, “every chapter in human history could be described as an ‘age of anxiety.’ The anxiety we feel now has been part of the human condition for centuries.” So what do we do? Escape or succumb? Both routes inevitably lead to more complications and problems in our lives. “Buddhism,” he says, “offers a third option. We can look directly at the disturbing emotions and other problems we experience as stepping stones to freedom. Instead of rejecting or surrendering to them, we can befriend them, working through them to reach an enduring authentic experience of our inherent Wisdom, confidence, clarity, and joy.” ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084 Phone +1 669 900 6833 Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084 Please be mindful, mute yourself, and keep questions to a maximum of two, concise and to the point. We can arrange an interview with the teacher if you have more in-depth questions. Inspirational Quote: It might seem hard to understand karma. But if we look at it, the teachings on karma simply say that if we have a good intention and do a good act it will bring a good result. If we have a bad intention and do something bad, that will only bring a bad result—harm to ourselves and to others. If you actually think about it, it is not all that difficult. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche Teaching Link: Meditation and Climate Change with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche |