Classes are designed for newcomers and beginners to meditation, as well as experienced practitioners who may also find them useful. Basic concepts and definitions of Buddhist terminology and mindfulness meditation are explored, with emphasis on techniques of Shamata (tranquility), Vipassana (insight), and Tong-Len (sending-receiving) meditation. These teachings have existed for centuries in Buddhist traditions and form the basis for successful meditation practice.

Dr. Dawes began practicing Vipassana meditation in the early 1970s. A few years later, during graduate school, he met HH 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, Supreme Head of the Karma Kagyu School of Vajrayana Buddhism. Later that decade, returning to his childhood home in Columbus, Ohio, he became a student of the Venerable Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, abbot of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra monastery, Woodstock, NY.

An early board member of Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling and a current board member of KTC Southern California, Dr. Dawes has studied and practiced under great Kagyu masters for the past 40 years.  In recent years, he fulfilled his lifelong dream to return to India and pay homage to the four primary pilgrimage spots and important Buddhist holy sites in India and Nepal. He has met and received teachings from HH 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, on several occasions in the United States and India.

Currently residing in Desert Hot Springs, CA, Dr. Dawes offers Shamata/Vipassana/Tong-len meditation techniques to prepare practitioners for advanced Vajrayana Buddhism practices in the Karma Kagyu lineage for the benefit of beings.

Donations for the classes support Karma Thegsum Choling Southern California.

May all beings benefit!