All are welcome to participate in our meditations (in-person and via Zoom). These practices are suitable for new and experienced practitioners alike. Please email us at office@kscashland.org to receive the zoom links, have your questions answered and sign up for our monthly meditation listing and special class announcements.

Meditations Requiring Empowerment & Instruction

The following offerings are available only to experienced practitioners who have received formal empowerment and instruction. To learn more about empowerment, click here.

PRACTICE GROUPS ARE 6-9 MONTH IMMERSIVE PROGRAMS TO DEEPEN YOUR PRACTICE

Practice groups are offered as a way to deepen sangha connection with meditation practice while studying with other dedicated practitioners. Groups meet monthly, for six or nine months, depending on the group. Group members commit to daily meditation, as well as readings and contemplations, to build a reliable meditation practice. Joining a practice group is a great way to create space for regular practice and to connect with a community of practitioners.

TRANQUILITY PRACTICE (November–MArch)

First meeting on Sunday, November 10th, 12:30 -2:30 pm

Tuition: $160

Scholarships and payment plans are available.

No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

Upcoming dates: Nov. 17, Dec. 15, Jan. 5, Jan. 19

Tranquility Practice Group focuses on foundational meditation theory and practice but is open to anyone who is interested in being part of a group to help support and inspire their ongoing meditation practice. We will work with variations of calm abiding meditation to increase awareness, wisdom, and compassion and our relationship to our heart/mind. Practitioners of all levels are welcome to join and this is a wonderful entry point for folks new to Tibetan Buddhism.

We will explore meditation through group and home practice, discussion, and by reading Mingyur Rinpoche’s book, Joy of Living.

The group meets for eight two-hour sessions on Sundays, beginning in November and concluding in March with a half-day retreat. We will meet at KSC in-person.

The group is led by Libba Coker. Libba has been an active practice member at KSC for over 15 years and done several long retreats. She has co-taught Tranquility Group with Lama Yeshe for 12 years. She earned a master’s degree at Naropa University in Buddhism and a master’s in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute.

The group will close to new members after the second meeting and is limited to 15 members. If you have questions about the group, please feel free to contact Libba. 

INSIGHT I & II PRACTICE GROUPS
(OCTOBER – JUNE )

The Insight Practice Groups work with the Calm Abiding meditation, but take it a step further with contemplating and exploring the mind. Prior empowerment & instruction required to attend. Permission of Lama Pema is required to attend either Insight group. Please contact her at lamas@kscashland.org.

JOYFUL EFFORT PRACTICE GROUP

(October - June)

First Meeting: Sunday, October 27th, noon-2:30 pm

Fall-Spring Tuition: $160

Scholarships and payment plans are available.

No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

Upcoming Dates: Nov.17, Dec. 22, Jan. 26

Joyful Effort Practice Group focuses on the Ngöndro or Preliminaries meditations. This series of Vajrayana (visualization*) practices prepares the mind to receive and integrate Mahamudra teachings, by deepening our connection to the resources of the path, clearing our mind of negativity, strengthening our natural generosity, and creating a strong bond with our teachers.

During this eight-month group, we will focus on each of the four practices, for two months at a time.

Joyful Effort meets monthly, with the first meeting on Sunday, October 27th (noon – 2:30 pm). At that meeting, the instructions for the first chapter, Refuge and Bodhicitta, will be given.

Preregistration is recommended, and it is necessary to secure a text before the first meeting. This can be done at KSC during weekly office hours, Wednesdays, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm., and on Sundays and Thursdays at the bookstore (hours to be announced).

*For further information about the Tibetan Buddhist style of meditation called “visualization,” please contact the KSC office for a written teaching to be emailed to you: office@kscashland.org

Registration is required, and the text will be needed for the first meeting.

RESIDENTIAL RETREATS

Meditation practice is an essential activity for every Buddhist. When we enter into a retreat of any length, we enter a sanctuary, a physical and mental refuge in which we can disengage from the activities that distract us from our goal of liberation. Retreat provides favorable conditions for our inner practice, which directly affects the realization of our limitless potential, and the resultant benefit to beings

There will be a five-day Personal Practice Residential Retreat in Spring, 2024. This is an opportunity to deepen personal practice with individual guidance from the resident Lamas. These retreats include periods of silence, periods of personal practice and meditation, group meditations, and teachings by the Lamas.

NON-RESIDENTIAL RETREATS

Non-residential retreats are held at KSC throughout the year, and are led by either our resident Lamas, or a guest teacher. These are 1-2 day teaching immersives, held on a weekend in our sanctuary. Typically, there is a two hour morning session, a mid-day break, and then a two hour afternoon session. Topics vary, and are announced in advance of the retreat.