November Events

Dear Dharma Friends, As we move into November, we invite you to join us for another month of practice, teachings, and time together as a Sangha. Our Thursday evenings begin with teaching and practice, and everyone is warmly invited to stay afterward to connect, talk about our practice, ask questions, or simply enjoy time together. This month, Lama Tom Broadwater continues his four-part series on The Four Dharmas of Gampopa, exploring one of the treasured teachings of the Karma Kagyu lineage. We hope you can join us throughout the month and look forward to practicing together. Yours in Dharma, KTC Southern California

• November 5 – Lama Karma Drodhul: Chenrezig Practice A practice of compassion and lovingkindness dedicated to the benefit of all beings.
• November 7 – Mindfulness Meditation (in person) An opportunity for quiet sitting and mindful presence together.
• November 12 – Lama Tom Broadwater: The Four Dharmas of Gampopa The foundational teachings of the Karma Kagyu lineage.
• November 19 – Lama Kathy Wesley: Getting Familiar with Your Mind Meditation and discussion supporting clarity, awareness, and inner stability.
• November  26 – Thursday Sangha: Dharma & Time Together

November 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.

November 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.

November 12 The Four Dharmas of Gampopa with Lama Tom Broadwater

Join Lama Tom Broadwater for a four-part series on one of the foundational teachings of the Karma Kagyu lineage, The Four Dharmas of Gampopa . Composed by the great Tibetan master Gampopa, these concise instructions offer a practical roadmap for transforming the mind, deepening our practice, and progressing on the path to awakening. Gampopa (1079–1153), the principal disciple of Milarepa, united the Kadampa teachings with Mahamudra, establishing the foundation of the Karma Kagyu lineage as it is practiced today. Lama Tom Broadwater became a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in 1999 and completed the traditional three-year retreat in 2012. He serves as a teacher at the Athens and Columbus KTC. Before retiring, he worked as a coal miner for four years and as a social worker and social services administrator for 35 years. He is the father of two daughters and has three grandchildren.

November 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.

November  26 Thursday Sangha: Dharma & Time Together

Please join us for an evening together with our Sangha, with Daniel Kane, longtime practitioner and former director of KTC SoCal, leading a Dharma discussion and sharing from his own experience and practice. This evening will be a little more informal and conversational, with time to ask questions, share our thoughts and experiences, talk about our practice, and simply spend some time together as a community.

Inspirational Quote:

In a cloudless night sky, the full moon,

“The Lord of Stars,” is about to rise . . .

The face of my compassionate lord, Padmasambhava,

Draws me on, radiating its tender welcome.

My delight in death is far, far greater than

The delight of traders at making vast fortunes at sea,

Or the lords of the gods who vaunt their victory in battle;

Or of those sages who have entered the rapture of perfect absorption.

So just as a traveler who sets out on the road when the time has come to go,

I will not remain in this world any longer,

But will go to dwell in the stronghold of the great bliss of deathlessness

THE LAST TESTAMENT OF LONGCHENPA

Teaching Link:
How to Process and Befriend Your Feelings with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche