February Events: Deepening Practice Together

Dear Dharma Friends, As we move into February, we continue our shared path with offerings to support reflection, compassion, and clarity. • Lama Karma Drodhul – Chenrezig Practice Join us for this ongoing heart-opening practice. • Lama Jinpa – The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma Now in its second installment, this 4-part series offers profound guidance on foundational contemplations. • Lama Kathy Wesley – Getting Familiar with Your Mind Meditation and discussion for cultivating inner awareness. • Thursday Night Mindfulness Mediation (Zoom) Every 4th Thursday, grounding practice and group connection. We look forward to another month, and another year of shared practice, reflection, and community. Yours in Dharma, KTC SoCal

• February 5 | Lama Karma – Chenrezig Practice
• February 7 | Mindfulness Mediation in person
• February 12 | Lama Jinpa – The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma
• February 19 | Lama Kathy – Getting Familiar with Your Mind: Meditation Practice and Discussion
• February 26 | Thursday Mindfulness Meditation (Zoom)

February 5 Lama Karma – Chenrezig Practice

Join us with Lama Karma as he guides us in Chenrezig Practice, a profound meditation cultivating compassion and lovingkindness. Chenrezig, known as Avalokiteshvara, embodies compassion in Tibetan Buddhism. Through this practice, we tap into the limitless wellspring of compassion, extending it to all sentient beings. It’s a beautiful opportunity to nurture our hearts, deepen our connection with others, and foster positive change in the world. Whether you are new to this practice or have practiced it before, everyone is welcome to participate.

February 7 Mindfulness Meditation Class

Join Dr. Charles Dawes, senior meditation practitioner and KTC SoCal Board member, every first Saturday in Desert Hot Springs for instruction on practicing mindfulness meditation. Class is held at 11 am, Hidden Springs Country Club, Community Center Clubhouse, 14912 Yerxa Rd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240. Class is free, open to all, reservations not required.

February 12 Lama Jinpa – The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma

In this series, Lama Jinpa will guide us through contemplations traditionally used to deepen one’s motivation for practice: – the Precious Human Birth – Impermanence – Karma: Cause and Result – and the Sufferings of Samsara These reflections are not just foundational teachings, they are powerful reminders of why we practice and how we orient ourselves on the path. Lama Jinpa is a longtime student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and a graduate of the 5th Karme Ling Three-Year Retreat. He has since offered support to KTD, various KTCs in North Carolina, and the community of the 9th Traleg Rinpoche at E-Vam. Everyone is warmly welcome, whether you are just beginning with meditation or have been practicing for years.

February 19 Lama Kathy Wesley – Getting Familiar with Your Mind: Meditation Practice and Discussion.

Lots of people are meditating these days, which is wonderful, since the practice can help reduce anxiety and promote positive change in our minds and lives. And getting tips and pointers can help us work through the rough spots and deepen our understanding of ourselves. Using Thrangu Rinpoche’s short book, “A Guide to Shamatha and Vipashyana Meditation,” Lama Kathy will offer tips and sit with us to encourage us to get familiar with ourselves and create space for positive inner change.

February 26 Thursday Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation Session on Zoom, led by Darby Burmayer-Wright. We will begin with a brief welcome and simple instructions, followed by Refuge prayers, a period of silent meditation, and an optional group discussion. Everyone is warmly welcome, whether you are new to meditation or an experienced practitioner.

ZOOM starts at 6:15 PM PST with a 15-minute silent meditation; regular teaching begins at 6:30.

Please be mindful when entering at that time. We encourage you to keep your video on as much as you’re comfortable. Seeing each other’s faces helps create a sense of presence and connection in the space we’re sharing today.

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

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

Ask questions via chat and keep them concise and to the point. If you have more in-depth questions, we can arrange an interview with the teacher.

Inspirational Quote:

Sit quietly. From the depths of your heart, invoke in the sky in front of you the embodiment of the truth in the person of your master, a saint, or an enlightened being.

Try to visualize the master or buddha as alive and as radiant and translucent as a rainbow.

If you have difficulty visualizing the master, imagine the embodiment of truth simply as light, or try to feel his or her perfect presence there in the sky before you. Let all the inspiration, joy, and awe you then feel take the place of visualization. My master Dudjom Rinpoche used to say that it does not matter if you cannot visualize; what is more important is to feel the presence in your heart, and to know that this presence embodies the blessings, compassion, energy, and wisdom of all the buddhas.

With deep devotion, merge your mind with the master’s, then rest your mind in his or her wisdom mind.

Rigpa Glimpse of the Day

Teaching Link:
Just Be: The Key to Transformation with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche