| April Events: Practicing Together in a Season of Renewal |
| Dear Dharma Friends, As we move into April, we continue our shared practice with steadiness and openness. Spring invites renewal, and our weekly gatherings offer space for reflection, compassion, and community. • Lama Karma Drodhul – Chenrezig Practice An open-hearted practice cultivating compassion for all beings. • Lama Jinpa – The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma Part three of this grounding series on reflections that reorient us to the path. • Lama Kathy Wesley – Getting Familiar with Your Mind Gentle teachings and guided meditation to foster clarity and inner ease. • Thursday Night Mindfulness Meditation (Zoom) Every 4th Thursday, silent sitting, simple structure, shared presence. • Dharma Talk with Daniel (Topic TBA) An evening of reflection and shared exploration on the path. We look forward to another month of practicing together, quietly, consistently, and with good heart. Yours in Dharma, KTC SoCal |
- April 2 | Lama Karma – Chenrezig Practice
- April 4 | Mindfulness Meditation in person
- April 9 | Lama Jinpa – The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma
- April 16 | Lama Kathy – Getting Familiar with Your Mind: Meditation Practice and Discussion
- April 23 | Thursday Mindfulness Meditation (Zoom)
- April 30 | Dharma Talk with Daniel (Topic TBA)
| April 2 Lama Karma – Chenrezig Practice |
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| 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. |
| April 4 Mindfulness Meditation Class |
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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. |
| April 9 Lama Jinpa – The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma |
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| 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. |
| April 16 Lama Kathy Wesley – Getting Familiar with Your Mind: Meditation Practice and Discussion. |
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| 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. |
| April 23 Thursday Mindfulness Meditation |
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| 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. |
| April 30 Dharma Talk with Daniel |
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| Dharma Talk with Daniel Kane, a longtime practitioner and former director of KTC SoCal, sharing experience, perspective, and practice. |
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:
A meditation technique used a great deal in Tibetan Buddhism is uniting the mind with the sound of a mantra. The definition of mantra is “that which protects the mind.” That which protects the mind from negativity, or which protects you from your own mind, is mantra.
When you are nervous, disoriented, or emotionally fragile, inspired chanting or reciting of a mantra can change the state of your mind completely, by transforming its energy and atmosphere. How is this possible? Mantra is the essence of sound, the embodiment of the truth in the form of sound. Each syllable is impregnated with spiritual power, condenses a deep spiritual truth, and vibrates with the blessing of the speech of the buddhas. It is also said that the mind rides on the subtle energy of the breath, the prana, which moves through and purifies the subtle channels of the body. So when you chant a mantra, you are charging your breath and energy with the energy of the mantra, and so working directly on your mind and your subtle body.
Rigpa Glimpse of the Day
Teaching Link:
Can We Meditate with Music? with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche