Dear Dharma Friends, 

Happy New Year and warmest wishes for a joyful and meaningful 2026 — the Year of the Fire Horse! May this year bring renewed inspiration, clarity, and strength on your path. 

We are excited to begin the year with a special four-part class with Lama Jinpa, starting Monday, January 8:

The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma.

These classic contemplations, on precious human birth, impermanence, karma, and the suffering of samsara, help lay a strong foundation for sincere Dharma practice. Whether you are new or experienced, all are warmly welcome.

We also continue our regular offerings:

• Lama Karma Drodhul – Chenrezig Practice

• Lama Kathy Wesley – Getting Familiar with Your Mind: Meditation Practice and Discussion

• Mindfulness Meditation on the first and third Saturdays of the month

• Thursday Night Mindfulness (Zoom) every fourth Thursday

We look forward to another month, and another year of shared practice, reflection, and community.

Yours in Dharma,

KTC SoCal

• January 3 | Mindfulness Mediation in person
• January 8 | Lama Jinpa – The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma
• January 15 | Lama Kathy – Getting Familiar with Your Mind: Meditation Practice and Discussion
• January 17 | Mindfulness Mediation in person
• January 22 | Thursday Mindfulness Meditation
• January 29 | Lama Karma – Chenrezig Practice 

January 3 & January 17

Mindfulness Meditation Classes

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

January 8

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.

January 15

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.

January 22

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.

January 29

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.

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:

In the West, people tend to be absorbed by what I call “the technology of meditation.” The modern world, after all, is fascinated by mechanisms and machines and addicted to purely practical formulas. But by far the most important feature of meditation is not the technique but the spirit: the skillful, inspired and creative way in which we practice, which could also be called “the posture.”

The masters say: “If you create an auspicious condition in your body and your environment, then meditation and realization will automatically arise.” Talk about posture is not esoteric pedantry; the whole point of assuming a correct posture is to create a more inspiring environment for meditation, for the awakening of Rigpa.

There is a connection between the posture of the body and the mind. Mind and body are interrelated, and meditation arises naturally once your posture and attitude are inspired.

Rigpa Glimpse of the Day

Teaching Link:
New Year Message 2026 with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche