Sundays, 6:00 – 7:00 PM / Dharma Talk or Gathering

June 14th: Jack Petranker  “Inviting the Presence of the Sacred”

Look at your experience from moment to moment, and ask yourself, “Am I present in this moment of experience?” Most likely you will discover that, at a deep level, you are sure—as sure as anything—that you are. 

In the same way, you can be sure of the presence of the sacred, whether in the form of a Buddha, a chant, or a mantra. The sacred is available in every moment of experience, if we let it in. In this talk, we will look at what this means, how we can activate that presence, and how it relates to our own sense of presence. We will discuss, reflect, and practice with mantra to explore further.

June 21st: Mark Henderson  “The Life Story of the Great Translator Vairotsana”

Equal in realization to Guru Rinpoche, Vairotsana was one of the foremost disciples of the great guru. In later times, Vairotsana took rebirth as Orgyen Terdag Lingpa, founder of Mindroling Monastery, and yet again as the great non-sectarian master, Jamgon     Kongtrul Lodro Thaye.. In this talk, Mark Henderson, a long-time student of Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche, will relate lively anecdotes from Vairotsana’s autobiography and discuss the importance of reading spiritual biographies as an inspiring support for our own path and practice.

June 28th: Women’s Meditation

July 5th: Emily Provosty “Coming Home to Ourselves” 

This will be a practice-based dharma talk; we will begin with a Kum Nye exercise to relax the body, then move into a gentle breath practice to calm the mind, culminating into a final meditation practice that will lead us to a place of vast openness. Join this dharma talk if you would like to have a full hour of uninterrupted dharma practice. 

July 12th: Pauline Yu “Facing Death Fearlessly”

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, death is considered a transformation rather than a final separation. We can take a practical approach to facing impermanence and death with grace, even fearlessness. 

The bardo is often described as the transitional state between death and rebirth. But what if the bardo is now?

July 19th: Hugh Joswick “Awakening the Balanced Mind” 

Tarthang Tulku’s Gesture of Balance has been updated, revised, and re-edited for a new

generation of readers this year. Reprinted by Dharma Publishing, Awakening the Balanced Mind introduces meditation, self-healing, and awareness for beginners as well as being a guide for more experienced practitioners. Nyingma Institute instructor, Hugh Joswick, will discuss some themes in the new edition and lead meditative practices from the new book. If you have read Gesture of Balance before, reading the new book may open new insight into Tarthang Tulku’s teachings.

July 26th: Women’s Meditation

August 2nd: Robert Vibat “Creating Tibetan Sacred Art: Stupas, Tsa-tsas, and Prayer Wheels”

Robert Vibat, a longtime sacred art volunteer, will share insights into the symbolism, significance, and creation of stupas, tsa-tsas, and prayer wheels.

August 9th: Mark Henderson “The Stupa: Quintessential Symbol of Enlightenment”

Stupas have long been a potent Buddhist symbol, a pure manifestation of enlightenment. Empowered with the knowledge of the enlightened lineage, stupas promote harmony and balance in the world. For those attuned to their significance, stupas can directly transmit the power of enlightenment.  In this talk Mark Henderson will describe how to approach stupas, engage their presence, and awaken blessings.

August 16th: Erika Rosenberg “Cultivating the Four Immeasurables for Good”

The Four Immeasurables  (in Sanskrit, The Brahmaviharas) are virtues or qualities of mind and heart that are wholesome, have limitless benefits, and can counteract destructive tendencies. These are: compassion, lovingkindness, equanimity, and sympathetic (or empathetic) joy. In this talk, I will explore — from the perspective of Buddhism and modern psychological science — how the cultivation of these qualities can lead to greater ease, well-being, and generosity. We will also visit some simple practices we can do every day to cultivate these virtues.

August 23rd: Donna Morton “Beyond Relaxation: The Deeper Promise of Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga”

Many people come to Kum Nye seeking calm, healing, or relief from the stresses of daily life. While these benefits are real, they are only the beginning. In Kum Nye, relaxation becomes a gateway to a richer experience of feeling, awakening the subtle connections between body, mind, and senses. As we learn to inhabit our experience more fully, we discover greater vitality, presence, and an intimate sense of participation in life itself. This talk explores the transformative potential hidden within the simple act of relaxing and the deeper promise that lies at the heart of Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga.

August 30th: Women’s Meditation

September 6th: Suellen Ehnebuske “Being Present”

What do the teachings on being present really mean?   And how can we free ourselves to be more awake and present to each moment?  In this practice-based Dharma talk, instructor Suellen Ehnebuske will be offering a series of experiential practices using mindfulness and concentration as a foundation to help us touch into true presence. These practices, based on Rinpoche’s teachings and other wisdom teachings, when applied to our meditation practice and in our everyday lives can bring us more freedom and insight—and greatly nourish our inner being. 

September 13th: Khenpo Kalsang “Identifying the Four Thieves: Overcoming the Distortions that Steal Our Peace”

Why is it that even when we try to meditate or find peace, our minds remain restless? Why do our best efforts at finding happiness often lead back to dissatisfaction? According to Buddhist tradition, the root of our struggle lies in the Four Distorted Views—four fundamental misunderstandings of reality that act like “thieves” in our own homes, stealing our clarity and joy.

What We Will Explore:
In this teaching, we will delve into these four primary misconceptions that cloud our human experience:

• The Illusion of Permanence: Why we treat changing things as if they will last forever.
• The Mirage of Happiness: Why we look for lasting satisfaction in things that are, by nature, unable to provide it.
• The Mistake of Purity: How we misperceive the nature of our physical and material world.
• The Myth of the Self: How grasping at a solid “I” creates the very walls that cage us.

September 20th: Santosh Philip & Abbe Blum “The Art of Developing True Balance: The Relaxation of Kum Nye”

Through this type of relaxation we discover a new way of being, a perspective that is open and that delights in the integration of body, mind, senses, feelings and environment. We learn to appreciate the completely wholesome feeling of  living experience.

                                Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga pp. 4-5

 What if we could live with perfect ease, regularly experiencing deep feelings of nurturance and refreshment even beyond the feeling usually called ‘happiness’? Graduates of Kum Nye Teacher Training programs join instructors Abbe Blum and Santosh Philip to talk about how Kum Nye has transformed their lives – and why you might consider taking such a program. Experiential practice is included.

September 27th: Women’s Meditation