KTC SoCal

Lama Adam Berner - On the Wings of Wisdom and Compassion
2025-08-14 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-11 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Denver)
Join us tonight at 6:30 PM PST for a teaching with Lama Adam Berner.
Most of us begin meditation by learning to let go. Through practices such as calm-abiding meditation, we notice thoughts and concepts and then repeatedly train to let them go. This is a partial 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 interactive 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 lively 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.
We start our sessions with a 15-minute silent meditation at 6:15 PM PST. Please be mindful when entering at that time.

Mindfulness Meditation
2025-08-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-18 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-01 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-06 11:00 - 12:00 and 3 more dates
Mindfulness Meditation Classes
In-person 1st & 3rd Saturdays
Desert Hot Springs

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

Lama Kathy Wesley - The Joy of Living Book Study
2025-08-21 18:30 - 19:30
We are thrilled to invite you to our Joyful Wisdom Book Study with Lama Kathy Wesley tonight at 6:30 PM PST.
Lama Kathy Wesley will teach from Joyful Wisdom by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, a book that directly addresses the timeless anxiety problem in our everyday lives. From the 2,500-year-old perspective of Buddhism, 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.
We start our sessions with a 15-minute silent meditation at 6:15 PM PST. Please be mindful when entering at that time.

Lama Karma - Chenrezig Practice
2025-09-04 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-10-02 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-11-06 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-12-04 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-01-29 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-02-05 18:30 - 20:30
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’re new to this practice or have practiced it before, everyone is welcome to participate.
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Lama Kathy Wesley - Getting Familiar with Your Mind
2025-09-18 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-10-16 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-11-20 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-18 18:30 - 19:30
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.

Thursday Mindfulness Meditation
2025-09-25 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-23 11:00 - 12:00
Thursday Mindfulness Meditation

Join us tonight at 6:30 PM PST for our new monthly 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.

Thanksgiving
2025-11-27 11:00 - 12:00

Lama Jinpa - The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma
2026-01-08 18:30 - 19:30
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.

Lama Kathy Wesley - Getting Familiar with Your Mind
2026-01-15 18:30 - 19:30
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.

Thursday Mindfulness Meditation
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:00
Join us tonight at 6:30 PM PST for our new monthly 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.
