Sangha Community Program

Guest Teacher Amma Thanasanti tonight! - https://mailchi.mp/6/august-and-september-sangha-news-36783

Clarity, calm, and contentment. The 3C's. These are the wonderous result of simple meditation instruction done well, and I’m experiencing them this morning. I am not an advanced meditator by any measure, and there are only a few positive qualities that I know my meditation practice has instilled over the years. A stable presence of calm is high on the list, as is a tendency to return to contentment and appreciation of the present moment. ... Each week at SANGHA, we practice two short periods of meditation in class. One based on samatha (calm abiding) meditation and one based on compassion (karuna). These meditations are tools that you can take with you into your daily, working, busy, joyful lives, and they’ll help you with whatever you’re up to. SANGHA restarts again this Monday, June 11 at Soul Yoga in Santa Rosa, in the CVS shopping center in Bennett Valley at 2700 Yulupa Avenue, #15. If you get lost, give them a call at (707) 696-4382.

Guest Teacher Amma Thanasanti tonight! - https://mailchi.mp/6/august-and-september-sangha-news-36783

Tonight we're discussing "A Broad Perspective", about how one practice or one technique of meditation isn't enough to navigate our lives with Dharma. We're looking at the Ten Virtues again, which is like a constructive "ten commandments"; ways in which instead of avoiding 'non-virtuous actions', we can intentionally create positive conditions by protecting life, speaking kind words, and protecting others from harm. In the meantime, enjoy this 2-minute surf film that I made ...this weekend. Intended to bring joy, it won't make you smarter, but might make you smile. Tonight is at Soul Yoga & Wellness at 6:00-7:15pm, by donation ($10 suggested). No one ever turned away for lack of funds.

We're sliding through summer and into the cool of early fall together! Full schedule for drop-in meditation and courses in the newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/04931db/august-and-september-sangha-news

Softly, sweetly, back from summer teaching break. Come next week, 8/20, 6pm, Soul Yoga & Wellness

This week we’re discussing Mind and Emotions, and have a very special guest, Maitreyii Nolan. Maitreyii has decades of experience teaching in the Vedic tradition of Yoga, and will bring unique and important teachings on creating our best lives. For more information on Maitreyii and her offerings, please see the link below.

Clarity, calm, and contentment. The 3C's. These are the wonderous result of simple meditation instruction done well, and I’m experiencing them this morning. I am not an advanced meditator by any measure, and there are only a few positive qualities that I know my meditation practice has instilled over the years. A stable presence of calm is high on the list, as is a tendency to return to contentment and appreciation of the present moment. ... Each week at SANGHA, we practice two short periods of meditation in class. One based on samatha (calm abiding) meditation and one based on compassion (karuna). These meditations are tools that you can take with you into your daily, working, busy, joyful lives, and they’ll help you with whatever you’re up to. SANGHA restarts again this Monday, June 11 at Soul Yoga in Santa Rosa, in the CVS shopping center in Bennett Valley at 2700 Yulupa Avenue, #15. If you get lost, give them a call at (707) 696-4382.

I love Robert Thurman, who's a professor, Dharma teacher, and all around enthusiast. He was sent back to the West by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to get a Ph.D., and has had the most amazing career at Columbia University in the City of New York for 30+ years. His podcast reflects how rad he is. In this episode, folks send questions and he answers them with his wit and wisdom. I highly encourage subscribing to this podcast; it's a great breakfast listen, or a good way to compliment your meditation practice.

Hey gang! Just sent the May newsletter, and here it is below. If you'd like to be on the mailing list, just pm me your favorite email. It's once or twice a month at max. BIG NEWS- We're changing locations and I'm taking May OFF. Back at it June. I'd recommend sitting with One Mind Dharma in Petaluma in the meantime. <3

We had a lovely time last night reviewing the Dalai Lama's teachings about counteracting depression, and how reaching out and/or making an effort to serve others can be a remedy for when we're feeling heavy and funky. If you haven't heard the recording of Jack Kornfield's interview on Oprah's Super Soul Conversations podcast, that's the homework! Jack has an amazing and seasoned response to "What is Dharma?" that is required listening. For next week, we're reading pgs. 63-6...7 in our study book Approaching the Buddhist Path. We'll meditate some, chat some, and I promise to bring a post-class snack. Book available for check out in class; PM with any questions.

This week is fun ...we're gonna start with listening to parts of the amazing SuperSoul interview with Jack Kornfield about Buddhism and Dharma, and his brilliant, lived interpretation of what that is. We'll also discuss Chapter 3 on "Mind and Emotions" in Approaching the Buddhist Path. Still 2 copies to loan if you're interested! 7:15pm at Yoga ONE Santa Rosa. By donation. No one ever turned away for lack of funds. Photo credit: oprah.com

The photo below is of Ram Dass, a great American pioneer, yogi, and original thinker. He has served so many people through bridging eastern philosophies with modern moods, and I have always admired his ability to build bridges. He continues to teach and inspire many; Maybe you've read his classic Be Here Now... Our Sangha community group continues each Monday night at 7:15pm at Yoga ONE Santa Rosa. We're currently on Chapter 3 of "Approaching the Buddhist Path" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. It's an amazing text, and I have extras to loan for a month at a time. Thanks for your ongoing support of our growing Dharma group, and for bringing yourself to mediation and other forms of centering. Everything good we can add to our world helps. <3