Lunchtime Meditation
2023-05-02 12:30 - 13:00, 2023-05-09 12:30 - 13:00, 2023-05-16 12:30 - 13:00, 2023-05-23 12:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Tuesdays
Simply Breathe

Everyone is welcome to drop in at the Center for lunchtime meditations.
During these half hour sessions we are guided through a simple guided breathing meditation. This type of meditation is perfect for beginners and advanced meditators. By focusing on the breath all our worries, distractions, and obsessive ways of thinking fall away and we experience inner peace. Our mind is refreshed and relaxed and we’ll find it easier to deal with day to day stress.

Foundation Program
2023-05-02 18:30 - 20:30, 2023-05-09 18:30 - 20:30, 2023-05-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2023-05-23 18:30 - 20:30
We are studying How to Understand the Mind by living Buddhist Master Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. This book offers us deep insight into our mind, and shows us how an understanding of its nature and functions can be used practically in everyday experience to improve our lives.

Through systematic study and meditation on this program we can deepen our understanding and insight of Buddhaâ€™s teachings, gain confidence in our meditation practice, and transform our lives by transforming our own mind. By learning to understand our own experiences of difficulty, problems, and suffering, we will be better able to support to those around us, and impact their lives in a more positive, meaningful way.

This study program requires enrollment, with a commitment to attend scheduled classes. Classes meet on Tuesday nights. Please click here to learn more.

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Lunchtime Meditation
2023-05-03 12:30 - 13:00, 2023-05-10 12:30 - 13:00, 2023-05-17 12:30 - 13:00, 2023-05-24 12:30 - 13:00
Wednesdays
Stress Relief

Everyone is welcome to drop in at the Center for lunchtime meditations.
Let go of your stress and concerns, unwind, and enjoy a place of peace in the middle of your work week. In our busy lives, we need to nourish our mind as well as our bodies. Come enjoy a relaxing lunchtime break with a guided breathing meditation.

Wednesday Evening Meditation Class
2023-05-03 18:30 - 19:45
Class Fee $10 – The Emptiness of the â€œIâ€

What if the â€œIâ€ we cherish and spend so much time and energy protecting is nothing more than an idea? In this series of meditation classes we will learn a traditional Buddhist meditation on the emptiness of the I.
Far from being a mere intellectual exercise, the practice of this meditation creates an experience of freedom from anxiety and worry â€“ and ultimately leads to the realization of the true nature of things: everything, including our I, or self, exists as mere name.

Drop in to any or all classes in this course. Perfect for beginners or those with meditation experience.

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Each class begins with a guided breathing meditation and culminates with a second meditation based upon the eveningâ€™s topic. There is no requirement to attend the the whole series.

Please arrive a few minutes early to settle.

Wednesday Evening Meditation Class
2023-05-03 18:30 - 19:45, 2023-05-10 18:30 - 19:45, 2023-05-17 18:30 - 19:45, 2023-05-24 18:30 - 19:45
Disarming Our Own Hatred: Meditations on Compassion

Other living beings are not our problem; our own dislike of them is our real problem.
Because the “I” we cherish and spend so much time and energy protecting is nothing more than an idea, we can begin to understand that “others” are also an idea.
In this series of meditation classes we will learn Buddhist meditations for developing our own mind of compassion for others.
Far from being a mere intellectual exercise, the practice of these meditations creates an experience of freedom from anxiety and worry – the effects of our own hatred and distrust of others. And ultimately, these meditations lead to the realization of the true nature of things: that everything, including I and other, exists as mere name.

Each class begins with a guided breathing meditation and culminates with a second meditation based upon the evening’s topic. Perfect for beginners or those with meditation experience. Open to everyone.
Please arrive a few minutes early to settle.

Lunchtime Meditation
2023-05-04 12:30 - 13:00, 2023-05-11 12:30 - 13:00, 2023-05-18 12:30 - 13:00
Thursdays
A Joyful Path

Everyone is welcome to drop in at the Center for lunchtime meditations.
Joy is a state of mind. In these lunchtime meditations we will hear about different Buddhist views that cultivate joyful minds. These Introductory meditations are based on Lamrim, the backbone of Kadampa Buddhism.

Meditation for World Peace
2023-05-07 10:30 - 11:45, 2023-05-14 10:30 - 11:45, 2023-05-21 10:30 - 11:45
â€œWithout inner peace, outer peace is impossible.â€ ~
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

Prayer and meditation are neither small nor passive actions. Rather, they are a force for change in our shared world. Join us to bring peace to our world through the action of meditation, and dedicating our prayers for world peace. Everyone is welcome â€“ you do not need to be a Buddhist to attend.
Class is $10, payable at the center or through our Donate page.

Each class consists of a guided breathing meditation, a short teaching on the practice of wisdom and compassion, and prayers (in English) to the Buddha of Compassion. Prayer booklets are available for use at the center. Prayer booklets and downloaded e-prayer booklets can be purchased HERE.

After School Kids Classes: Registration Required
2023-05-08 15:15 - 16:15, 2023-05-15 15:15 - 16:15, 2023-05-22 15:15 - 16:15
Buddhist meditation, stories, and crafts.
Mondays from 3:15-4:15 May 8th – June 5th

Each week will include a guided meditation, a discussion, and an art project.

In this series we will look at the life and deeds of Buddha, we will create our own books on the subject, and conclude with a party and a play. Approximate age range is 5-12.

An adult must be present throughout the classes.
$120 per family

Please reserve your spot by emailing info@meditationinsantabarbara.org with your name, a contact number, and the name and age of the children who will be attending. Space is limited.
No drop-in classes are available at this time.

If you have questions please send a message to info@meditationinsantabarbara.org or call us at (805) 563-6000 and we will promptly reply.

Guided Lamrim Meditation
2023-05-08 18:30 - 19:45, 2023-05-15 18:30 - 19:45, 2023-05-22 18:30 - 19:45
Transform Your Life

In these meditation classes we will familiarize ourselves with the minds of Lamrim.

Lamrim is a special set of meditations presented by the Indian Buddhist Master Atisha and clarified by the great Tibetan Buddhist Master Je Tsongkhapa. Lamrim condenses all the essential teachings of Buddha into a practice that modern people can use in their daily life.

Each class begins with a guided breathing meditation, preparatory prayers, and culminates with a second meditation based upon the eveningâ€™s topic. Drop in to any or all classes in this course. Perfect for beginners or those with meditation experience.

Please arrive five minutes early to settle.
Suggested donation is $10.

Powa Prayers
2023-05-21 12:15 - 13:00
Through practicing transference of consciousness â€” known as â€˜powaâ€™ â€” with faith, compassion, and concentration we can transfer the consciousness of those recently deceased to a higher rebirth or to the Pure Land of a Buddha. The Powa Ceremony can be done either by a group of practitioners or individually on behalf of one or more deceased persons, or countless deceased beings. By engaging in this practice we also create a great collection of virtue, which will also lead us into the pathway to a Buddhaâ€™s Pure Land.
All chanted prayers are free.
