March Events

This month’s Ngöndro sessions will be with Lama Adam on March 14, and we will continue with our regular sessions with Lama Kathy and Chenrezig practice as usual. As a reminder, we will begin with a 15-minute quiet meditation at 6:15 PST, followed by our regular teachings from 6:30 PM PST to 7:30 PM PST. During the Zoom sessions with our Lamas, we kindly request you keep your questions short and relevant. Please type your questions in the chat window so our teachers can promptly address all the questions. Looking forward to seeing you all, Your Santa Monica KTC Dharma family

• March 7 | Lama Kathy – Joy of Living Book Study
• March 14 | Lama Adam – Ngöndro
• March 21 | Lama Adam – On the Wings of Wisdom and Compassion
• March 28 | Chenrezig Practice

March 7 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.”

March 14 Lama Adam – Ngöndro

Lama Adam will teach on Ngöndro, known as the “preliminary practices” in Tibetan Buddhism. This foundational practice is essential to lay a strong foundation for a practitioner’s spiritual journey. Ngöndro is designed to purify the mind, accumulate merit, and create a robust framework for advanced Vajrayana practices. The practice typically involves prostrations, Vajrasattva purification, mandala offerings, guru yoga, and mantra recitations. Ngöndro systematically and profoundly prepares the practitioner for higher levels of meditation and realization. With diligence in this practice, individuals aim to transform their ordinary perception and purify obstacles on the path to enlightenment. Ngöndro serves as a transformative and purifying process, fostering a deep connection to one’s spiritual path and the wisdom of the tradition. Lama Adam will be available to answer any questions, whether you are already practicing or just thinking about starting.

March 21 On the Wings of Wisdom and Compassion with Lama Adam

Most of us begin meditation by learning to let go. Through practices such as calm-abiding meditation, we notice thoughts and concepts, then repeatedly train in letting them go. This is not a complete path to the rich experience of awakening, though, as our daily lives continually demonstrate that, in fact, there are plenty of things we do need to pick up. Discerning what is to be adopted and how to do so is, in many ways, the territory of Lojong, or “mind training”, which is best known for its hallmark practice of taking and sending (tong-len) and its list of 59 pithy slogans. This series of discussions will explore the Lojong teachings found in Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche’s Great Path of Awakening, as expanded on by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in his book Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness. With guided practice and discussion, we’ll extend our understanding of the relationship between compassion and non-conceptuality and why they are considered to be like the two wings of a bird, both necessary for us to take flight.

March 28 Chenrezig Practice

Chenrezig’s practice is a profound meditation that cultivates compassion and loving-kindness. This practice is open to all and will be in English and Tibetan. 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 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.

ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same, starting at 6:15 PM PST:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81574392660

Phone
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 815 7439 2660

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:

We are what we think.

All that we are arises with our thoughts.

With our thoughts we make the world.

Speak or act with an impure mind

And sorrow will follow you As the wheel

follows the ox that draws the cart.

Speak or act with a pure mind

And happiness will follow you As your

shadow, unshakeable.

THE BUDDHA

Teaching Link:
How to Find Mr. or Ms. Perfect with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche