• BUDDHIST MEDITATION • SANTA MONICA • LOS ANGELES • DHARMA • INSIGHT • AWARENESS

( 1 ) Buddhist Meditation Santa Monica • The LAUGHING BUDDHA SANGHA • Introduction to this chunky site • Classes and Retreats • Iconoclastic Quotes and Enlightened Poetry

2009-02-20T12:47:00.000-08:00

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~ For Ease of Viewing ~

please MAX your screen

"The Laughing Buddha Meditation Sangha" Santa Monica - CA 90405 - near Santa Monica College
AkasaLeviZZ@msn.com ~ phone: 310-450-2268
Best phone-time to contact us, Noon to 6pm, Mon-Fri

Site Navigation . . . .

"Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry,

the philosophy which does not laugh,
and the greatness which does not bow before children"
~ A Path With Heart ~ Kahlil Gibran

You are Here Now: http://BuddhistMeditationSantaMonica.blogspot.com/

OUICK-read much briefer blog: http://www.DharmaHere.blogspot.com/http://www.AgainstTheStream.org/pdfs/Akasa_June_Daylong.pdf

Retreat info:

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Please, go to the Sidebar now over there
on your left - and click on the # 1 section
on this chatty, chunky site -
- that will set up the individual sections for you.

( use specific sections - so your overall scrolling will be much shorter -
section by section - instead of a long string of posts all lumped together )

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...and Hey,
Don't feel you have to read everything . . .

NOT AT ALL - please use the side-bar to choose what seems interesting or Details you need - graze around... We hope your reading here is challenging ~ and yet enjoyable !

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To see Current Weekly Monday Class information ?
Scroll about 1/2 way down on this page ( page #1 ) you're on right now...
also complete Driving Details are found at # 6 ~ see sidebar....

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IN LOVE WITH LEARNING ?

... SEEKING AN INTELLIGENT SPIRITUAL PRACTICE ?

~ Gosh, We Hope So !

...."To be Buddhist: is to be both delightfully perplexed,

awakened & sweetened by the strangely sane,
refreshingly 'rational' path Buddha created."

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....q(~?~)p .THE .LAUGHING .BUDDHA .SANGHA
................ nourishing an iconoclast intelligence
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. . . and a compassionate welcome to you
. ..........in these troubled times . . .
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.....~ meditation can certainly help !

Yet, " There Are NO Answers " ~ Rainer Rilke

We're so very glad the sense of ‘Inquiry’ in you
is well, alert & alive !
Be most welcome . . . .
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.................~ currently ~

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...................MONDAYS

.....................Santa Monica 7:30-9:30 pm
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It was the Best of times ~ It was the Worst of times

It was the age of Wisdom ~ It was the age of Foolishness

It was the epoch of Belief ~ It was the epoch of Incredulity

It was the season of Light ~ It was the season of Darkness
It was the spring of Hope ~ It was the winter of Despair

We had Everything before us ~ We had Nothing before us

We were all going direct to Heaven ~

We were all going direct the Other way. ..A Tale of Two Cities ~ 1859

Charles Dickens' 19th-century opening lines perfectly describe today's climate.
Undeniably, we all now know deep in our bones, these are difficult times.
Yet come to recognize that these times are ALL a Good 'Practice Opportunity' !
They may as well be.... we're all going thru it together anyway....
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"Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted.
Only in a quiet mind is a more complete perception of the world." ~ Hans Margolius

*In these over-stressful times,
we are very, very sincere
about encouraging you
to take up or continue
with full strength & faith ~
a Meditation sitting-practice -
here or elsewhere -
as a great preventative,
or as an adjunct
to other healings,
or as a powerful vaccine
'antidote' to negative-mind viral...

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The Laughing Buddha Sangha • Santa Monica

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We're So Glad Your Accrued Good Karma Brought You Here!.

"The Doors of Perception will open w i d e for you" ~ Aldous Huxley.

*Friends, if this Blog seems like all TOO much reading ~

.....well then, just don't read all of it ~ go to our side-bar

........select & read only some pieces and parts of it...

............. and just enjoy - read very slowly - slow is good
................. Ouick-read briefer blog:
.....................http://www.DharmaHere.blogspot.com
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Planing to Attend our Weekly Class for the very First Time ?

Full Driving DIRECTIONS and DETAILS: see # 6 on the side-bar,

also read a bit in # 2 and # 3 to get some flavor of what we're about.

Questions? call us: 310-450-2268 .~.email: AkasaLeviZZ@msn.com

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Upcoming RETREAT ANNOUNCEMENTS

.....http://www.againstthestream.org/pdfs/Akasa_June_Daylong.pdf

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"So here you are -
Getting Started to Go 'Nowhere'
well, that's 'Buddhism' for ya..."
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Our next One-Day Retreat: Saturday JUNE 11
at Against the Stream / ATS Santa Monica Center

Please SAVE the Date on your Calendar !

for complete Retreat description/details at #1 A on this blog
~or~ http://www.againstthestream.org/pdfs/Akasa_June_Daylong.pdf ______________________________________
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"Come let's sit meditation and learn together,
and observe what arises - and explore & talk about it.

Meditation will also invite some Rocky Road stuff
and deep issues to stumble on, yet we also
must eventually compassionately encounter 'em -

You'll regain even better Balance afterwards. Meditation builds unshakable inner-strength !

so please bravely step forward Mindfully...
to sit in silence and kindness to yourself "

Traveling "The Path of NO Expectations"
using Insecurity / Instability / Impermanance
as Very Great Teachers if used very skillfully !

Buddha once said:
"Just as the Elephant's Footprint is the biggest footprint on the whole jungle floor - in human life "Impermanence" is our biggest teacher". Conscious or not, our relationship to impermanence colors absolutely all our other relationships. Young or old - when well practiced - you can be at peace and 'present' during your big, small, or whatever your 'final' end-moments of any experience is. "Let the Truth of Impermanence overcome your fear of impermanence. Include "Impermanence" mindfully in your very own life." ( from 'A Paradoxical Teaching on Precisely What We Don't Want' )

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" The Path of

NO Expectations ! "

"In the stillness – space for a rebellious spirit " ~ Noah Levine ~

Learn Buddhist Path-techniques
to mindfully, skillfully and wisely balance

What's Not Enough -with- What's Enough

Cut thru 'Am I Good Enough' ??? Old Dead Stories &

Judging-Mind about Perfection or Imperfection

by building-in & compassionately applying

Buddha's "Wisdom of Instability Teachings"

'Receiving' ALL of yourself with Kindness.

"No Expectations - No Disappointments"

( Less Demands, less Entitlement & less Preferences )

Becoming User-Friendly with Flaws, Failure,

Upset & Betrayal. Skillfully dealing with

the Transitory, Illusory and Painful.

Develop 'Big-Mind'
- strengthened, smart & sweetened -

Full Mindfulness to Whatever is Happening

Allowing Everything that we experience

moment to moment to simply be Here

– because 'it' already is.

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"The Present Moment itself,

is always Good Enough."

Perfectly Imperfect. Imperfectly Perfect.

Being really OK with 'The What Is' - As it is.

Growing a 'Mind' you actually like.

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Akasa Levi - went to live in Asia for the full decade of the 70's to be with the last living spiritual teachers of the pre-global era. Initiated by Lama Thubten Yeshe in Nepal - Sri Munindra in Bodhgaya, India - and Goenka & Nisargadatta in Bombay. He was a Buddhist forest monk for six years in Sri Lanka, trained & ordained by Bhante Ananda Maitreya. Akasa is now a Bodhi-Acharya 'lineage-holder' of the Theravada teaching-transmission.

( please see full profile on sidebar )

What Retreats Always Offer the necessary deeper "immersion-time experiences" so often missing in somewhat shorter meditation sitting – a more committed working 'relationship' with the meditation practice in an urban sanctuary setting to safely lay aside all daily-demands. An easy-going day of instruction & discussion, sitting meditation and walking awareness practices. These retreats are suitable for both beginners, and more experienced meditators.

There becomes No evaluating or 'judging' in your meditation. No
urgency. Actually living a 'practice' through a mature philosophy of "It's All Good" that is NOT just a cliche – it's a life now trusting and receptive. Continually being clarified, strengthened and sweetened by a "Dharma-informed" meditation practice. An 'Undemanding-mind'
with a smart, fine critical-thinking wisdom capacity. . . .

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"Good Enough to be 'present in the moment'

when I am present in the moment.

And that’s enough."

...and we will discuss the main "Buddhist Teaching of Sufficiency" –starting to mindfully moderate 'What's Not Enough' with 'What's
Enough' in our everyday lives. A very reasonable practice-path of
realizing that all this leads to true freedom.

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Monday Classes . . . . .

Monday Classes . . . . .

IN LOVE WITH LEARNING ?..

BUDDHIST MEDITATION:

Simply The Power of Much More Inner-Silence

Getting Really Quiet Inside ~

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Classes to Nourish an 'Iconoclast Intelligence'
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♦ The Purpose of Vipassana Insight Meditation Practice
Vi.pass.ana in the Pali-language of the original Buddhist teachings – is the simple and direct practice of ‘moment-to-moment’ mindfulness.
Through careful 'sustained observation', we experience directly for
ourselves the ever-changing flow of the mind/body process.
This keen awareness leads us to accept more fully the pleasure
and pain, fear and joy, sadness and happinessthat life inevitably
brings to all our ‘experiences’. As Insight-Awareness deepens,
we develop greater equanimity and peace - in the face of Change.
Wisdom and Compassion increasingly become the major Dharma
guiding-principles ‘informing’ our lives. ~ Joseph Goldstein

• Buddhist Insight Awareness Meditation Class
ONGOING Year-round 2011 ~ in Santa Monica
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OPEN GROUP: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Monday Evenings Include:

• Guided Instruction – a 35 minute Silent Meditation –
after-sit pointers.

• Dharma Talk and Wisdom-Understanding Theory-Study
with Plenty of Q&A,
Dialogue, lively Discussion & Satsang.
• Metta-style 'Loving-Kindness' meditation or Sacred
Poetry to conclude.
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• 'A Path With Heart' ~
Vipassana Insight Meditation
and Mindfulness Deep Inner-Work.The highly popular Buddhist meditation instruction-book for all classes we do is 'A Path With Heart' by Jack Kornfield,
one of America's foremost Buddhist teachers. This is our only 'required' text for class-study + plus some optional occasional free handouts and some free online readings & lectures.

BTW: the # 2 section on side-bar also has some good, brief Definitions of Meditation.

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Plan Ahead - please make your phone inquiries now ...
It's sort of an eccentric, odd class ~ at least check it out !
Class is a small, intimate 'salon'-setting - sometimes space gets limited.
Come ANY Monday... at least for a one-time visit ~ see if it works
for you, your heart & intellect. Please read more in this Buddha-
blog. Enjoy !
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*Please Read About Us ....
this little part is super uber-important

We do a DHARMA SATSANG evening ~
We inter-actively engage in wise-heart
'CONVERSATIONS on AWAKEN.MENT' ~

Getting us out from behind "Belief" as a whole –

and the so limiting Grand Delusion of "Self".

We offer Buddhism without Any Beliefs
towards an authentic Uncompromised Awakening. .
A much more Outside-The-Box-Buddhism for
a much more Maverick Spirited Inner-Quest.
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Yet, with strong regard for individual spiritual experiences,

with an open heart and free thought and creative expression,.
The Laughing Buddha Sangha strives to be both erudite,
eclectic, enlightening & entertaining in it's relation to the "illusory".
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The Laughing Buddha Sangha offers the original Traditional Buddhist
Theravada Lineage-based Practice of Vipassana Insight Meditation for
an un-decorated clarity of view of 'The Presence of Mindfulness' within...
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Please continue to read more About us . . .

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The LAUGHING BUDDHA SANGHA in Santa Monica offers a very eclectic "Inquiry into Self'" meditation sitting practice -
combining the calm sobriety and observation approach of traditional Vipassana Mindfulness with the 'crazy wisdom' irrationality of Zen Non-Duality which short-circuits the obsessive self-identified, self-centered, self-absorbed mind.
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This practice-group encourages highly inquisitive, unruffled,
curious people with a natural, deep love of learning – who invite
and even relish the profoundly abstract, and even the absurd,
with a genuine taste for the indefinable 'existential' stuff.
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Or you may be a more 'experienced meditator' who is now seeking a deeper questioning into the 'Idea of Self' - and a more de-mystifying, open-minded, caring 'conversation' into Wisdom, Empathy and what is Spiritual 'Reality'
in our Western life-style today ? We also enjoy some poetry,
and hearty, healthy laughing !
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Yet our modern, eclectic practice is always informed by the unembellished,
ancient, traditional Theravada Buddha Dharma for clarity of view.
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"In the stillness –
space for a rebellious spirit " ~ Noah Levine..

"BUDDHA: A JOYOUS ICONOCLAST" Class Series ~ A Dharma-Study Series offers a much more outside-the-box-Buddhism !
Rebellious, heart-filled 'heresy' for a more maverick spirited inner-quest - by
nourishing an iconoclast intelligence & compassionate critical thinking
with a tender, caring heart - thru some refreshing, risky, even 'radical' spiritual considerations of Absolute 'Reality' that opens us to the uncompromised truths
of a developing "Dharma 'informed' mind".
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When I see I am Nothing – that is Wisdom.
When I see I am Everything – that is Love.
And between these two, my life flows . . . . .
~ Nisargadatta ..
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NEWCOMERS: Beginners are also very welcome
for an optional Six-week Practice-Series, if you like.
You will be very patiently guided and gently coached
during the whole entire course.
Newcomers are asked to please inquire first by Phone,
so we can talk a bit - and see if 'open group' or
the 'elective optional class' is suitable for you.
Thank You, Hope to C Ya....

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For more information please use the phone to speak with Akasa directly
about our smaller, more human-sized, intimate classes.
Don't be shy – speaking with the teacher is ½ the 'practice'.
You accelerate your learning !
Best phone-times: Noon to 6 pm Mon-Fri - 310-450-2268 ~
if VM answers, plz leave a complete message: email too, if you wish.
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" TO KNOW THY SELF • CONSTANTLY QUESTION ~

...Take Nothing On Belief "

" What is accepted by the majority of people ~
does not mean it is Real "

~ The Buddha 500 BC

So ...
.“How Far Down The Rabbit Hole Do You Really Want To Go ?" ~ Lewis Carroll - 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' ..
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." Good timber does not grow with ease.
The stronger the wind ~ the stronger the trees."
~ Willard Marriot
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..BE the changes you want to see in the world." . .

~ Gandhi

." The Greatest Risk Is Not Taking One "

MAY WISDOM & COMPASSION FOREVER FLOURISH !
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THE LAUGHING BUDDHA SANGHA ~
phone: 310 - 450 - 2268
email: AkasaLeviZZ@msn.com -

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Please try n’ inquire by phone:
310-450-2268. Email if ya' have to ...
Emails do tend to get lost in the inbox,
Contact by phone is still really the best.
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Best phone-time Noon to 6pm, Mon/Fri
or leave a Voice Mail, with your email too.
Let's really talk n' see if this 'odd' class
is possibly even for you.
If you do wish to leave your email address,
speak slowly, very clearly –
so we can email Info & Directions to you.
Let's talk first if we can... Thanks folks ~
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...
-:¦:- VIPASSANA & ZEN MINDFULNESS ~ Mondays 7:30 - 9:30 pm
......MEDITATION Practice & DHARMA Study - guided by Akasa Levi
......Opening the "Iconoclastic-Mind" - Buddhism Without Any Beliefs.
......Outside~The~Box~Buddhism for a Maverick Spirited Inner-Quest.
......http://buddhistmeditationsantamonica.blogspot.com/ ( meets weekly )
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.-:¦:- The SPIRITUAL ADULTHOOD THERAPY & COUNSELING Project
......Buddhist-based, more Alternative Approach to Relating with Your 'Self'
......Individual One-On-One Therapy & Relationship Counseling for Couples,
......Partnerings, Friendships & Workplace "Reaching Out to Reach Deep In"

......http://buddhistcounselingtherapy.blogspot.com/ ...( free phone consult )
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.-:¦:- The ZEN MEN Inner-Growth Groups explore a Man's Deeper Core Issues

......"Every Guy could use being in a Men's Group at some time in his life"

......Men learning to trust & support each other in making important changes

......"Good Men Becoming Even Better Men !"..( group meets once weekly )

......http://zenmensgroup.blogspot.com/

Please GO READ MORE ! Enjoy ! ~ select at the sidebar

( 1A ) Next Upcoming One-Day RETREAT Daylong at Against The Stream

2009-02-15T16:48:00.000-08:00

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Please MAX your screen for a better view

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Daylong Meditations in The Dharma -

guided by former Buddhist forest monk Akasa Levi

AGAINST THE STREAM / DHARMA PUNX / BUDDHIST MEDITATION SOCIETY

NEXT - http://www.againstthestream.org/pdfs/Akasa_June_Daylong.pdf

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q(~?~)p The LAUGHING BUDDHA MEDITATION SANGHA

Classes & Retreats in Santa Monica guided by Akasa Levi

the best phone-time for 'live' inquiry: Noon to 6 pm

email AkasaLeviZZ@msn.com ~ phone 310-450-2268

For all our Meditation Class info,
go here a more QUICK-read brief Details:

http://www.DharmaHere.blogspot.com/

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Save JUNE 11 ~ For this RETREAT info, see The Against The Stream Flyer http://www.againstthestream.org/pdfs/Akasa_June_Daylong.pdf
-or- just continue to read here...

"Forgiving Our Fathers"

a Pre-Father's Day Meditation Retreat

One-Daylong: Saturday - June 11 - with Akasa Levi

at Against The Stream / Santa Monica / 9 am to 5 pm

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We've all had to have biological Fathers,

or else we just wouldn't be here.

But did we have 'Good-Enough Fathering' ?

Well, that's a whole other story...

This will be a day of 'Forgiveness-work' on us,

our fathers, our family, mates and any others.

For many of us this will be a sane positive beginning,

and as ongoing deep inner-work.

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ONE-DAY of Meditation - June 11 - at Against The Stream

that will set us up a full WEEK BEFORE Father's Day

so we can really give ourselves adequate time beforehand

to practice Forgiveness-techniques on our own for a week

at home with short contemplative meditation sittings –

or for whatever amount of time you wish to devote to it.

Using gentle-approaches we will learn on the Daylong

that will lead us confidently to that auspicious Big Sunday,

whether or not we do make the trip home or just in memory.

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" Forgiveness is giving up all hope for a better past.
There is no future without forgiveness." ~ Desmond Tutu

" Forgiveness is Possible – and how we can start using this timeless Forgiveness practice to transform emotional wounds into an authentic healing, and a way out of our pain. As compassion arises more naturally, we see how Forgiveness can be practiced as a 'Gift' we give – not only to others – but ultimately to ourselves.

Forgiveness has the awesome power to ripen forces of purity such as Love. Forgiveness creates the space for a life-renewal, a life now free from bondage to the past. Forgiveness dissolves separation and relieves us of the twin burdens of lacerating guilt and perpetually unresolved outrage. It is not so easy to access that hurt place inside of us that can forgive, that can love again.

Remember, it is much more difficult to forgive, than not to forgive !

When we are held prisoner by the 'resentment', the pain, the shame, anger, confusion, doubt or the sense of betrayal - our present life just cannot be fully lived. The unwelcome inheritance we carry from the past, function to close our hearts and thereby narrow our world. Yet 'Forgiveness' does not mean condoning a harmful action, or denying an injustice done. Forgiveness should never be confused with being passive toward violation or abuse.

The core-intention of true ‘Forgiveness’ arises directly out of the greatest
compassion for ourselves – so that we can create the spacious, wide
open conditions for an unobstructed love." ~ Jack Kornfield

Forgive and be free.
Forget that you have forgiven -
- and be even freer ! ~ The Buddha ~.

A cultivatable ‘capacity’ for Forgiveness needs to be available in order for us to truly Love. And there's certainly an endless abundance of authentic ‘Practice Opportunities’ when ‘working’ on Forgiveness.

This Daylong is suitable for all levels of meditation experience.

Beginners are very welcome ! Guided sitting instruction, Practice-techniques, Dharma-talks that help us explore life-related themes, new awakening approaches, and lively Q & A discussion - and there's lots of welcome noble-silence too.
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"A change of Heart changes Everything " ~ Max Lucado

" Holding onto resentment
is letting someone else punish us.

The “Act of Forgiveness” is
an act of mercy to yourself !"

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What Silent Meditation Retreats ALWAYS Offer...
is the very necessary deeper "immersion-time experiences"
so often missing in shorter meditation sittings. Retreats help you gradually build-in a consistent "working-relationship" with the meditation practice - so you can cultivate and stabilize an aware, wise, Dharma-informed intellect, a peaceful body-stillness, and a compassionate, calm equilibrium and emotional renewal, in a supportive space to continually re-awaken yourself to being "present in this moment" in silent-living for a sanctuary-day of sustained mindfulness and inner-inquiry.

This Daylong is appropriate for ALL levels of meditation experience.
Beginners are very welcome ! ... and certainly those with more expeience.
Guided sitting instruction, Practice-techniques, Dharma-talks that help us
explore love-related themes, new awakening-approaches, and there's lively
Q & A discussion - and there's lots of welcome noble-silence too.
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an IMPORTANT Detail !! – please BRING your own LUNCH
and water bottle with you – To Eat Mindfully Here – so you
do not interrupt your sensitive 'meditation-mind' mid-way
to go out searching for food.

BRING: water bottle, notebook, pen, maybe a light blanket/shawl,
easy on-off shoes and non-binding clothes.
We have chairs and cushions available.

COST: $50 and the optional offering of Dana to the teacher.
No one is ever turned away for lesser or lack of funds -
email or call for scholarship and/or work-study information
or to Pre-REGISTER now 323.665.4300 -or- email us at
service@againstthestream.org for Questions / Hesitations etc.

This Daylong will be held at 1001A Colorado Blvd, Santa Monica 90401
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AKASA LEVI - an American filmmaker and student of the Gurdjief 'Work'
that went to live in Asia for the full decade of the 1970's to be directly
with the last living spiritual teachers of the pre-global era. He was mentored
by Lama Thubten Yeshe & Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan, Nepal - Munindra
& Goenka in Bodhgaya, India - and by Nisargadatta Maharaj in Bombay.
Akasa was a forest bhikkhu monk for six years in Sri Lanka - trained and
ordained into the Theravada monastic order by the revered Bhante Ananda
Maitreya and Kassapa Mahathera. Now 70, he guides Vipassana insight
meditation at The Laughing Buddha Sangha in Santa Monica - and offers
buddhist-based counseling-therapy and mindful-life coaching. Akasa is
known for his spontaneity, ready warmth and wry unpredictable humor.

" Metta ~ The Relationship Your Heart Longs For...
... Already Exists within You ! "

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for more full picture of Retreat & Details:
http://www.againstthestream.org/ ATS main site
Day-long Retreats are very suitable for Beginners !
" A day of heart/mind training will really begin
to set you up in the right direction -
or allow you to deepen the work
you have already begun.In the stillness – space for a rebellious spirit." ~ Noah Levine

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And the Next Upcoming Retreat

is on "REALITY" ~ What is it ?
this Fall 2011 ~ TBA
with former buddhist forest monk Akasa Levi
at Against The Stream ~ stay tuned....
ATS Melrose or the Santa Monica Center - TBA
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Why are you so unhappy ?

Because 99.9 per cent

of everything you think,

and of everything you do,

is for yourSelf –

and there isn't one.

~ Wei Wu Wei ~

" Buddhist practice literally has 'Nothing' to offer you –
other than what is in THIS very moment. That’s all.

God(s), Goddesses, religion, entities and the ego-self

can certainly attract you with so, so, so much more! "

~ Henri Van Zeyst ~

Remember ~ Whatever 'It' is – It's just a “Thought”.

and also please remember that . . .

Love exists only in the True Friendship.

Love is True Friendship set on Fire !

~ Jeremy Taylor - 1657 ~

Natural Dharma guides us in the practical necessity of creating
our own clear relationship 'language of kindness'

and skillful actions arising from a compassionate
and yet correct-view of 'What Is'.

...and How to do this in a warm, natural, flexible yet uncontrived, uncompromised way?

How do we "do" Relationship in our lives with full feeling and integrity, while at the
same time do a Buddhist-practice of cultivating an awakened non-attachment ?

" The Buddhist absence of 'Attachment' –

is not necessarily at all, in any way,

the absence of profound Loving."

~ Ananda Maitreya ~

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Meditation is coming soon to a mind near you !

The most common attachment-mistake
in creating one's own personal suffering
is to take the Impermanent for Permanent."

T
he Buddhist-ideal: the Absence of 'Attachment' –
is NOT necessarily, in any way whatsoever,
the absence of a profound Loving !

The True Reality of 'Experiencing':
is How I personally experience -
'Experiencing' itself -
and that may have to change !

The Buddhist Practice is always all about
OBSERVING OBSERVING OBSERVING
Observing One's Self and becomeing truly,
authentically Self-Conscious, consciously !
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http://www.againstthestream.org/pdfs/Akasa_June_Daylong.pdf

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DEFINITIONS of Meditation - and some enlightening Moon Poems

2008-09-11T23:34:00.000-07:00

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For Ease of Viewing – please MAX your screen -
re-set your zoom, if you can, from 100% to 125%.

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..q(~?~)p .THE .LAUGHING .BUDDHA .SANGHA

................... nourishing an iconoclast intelligence

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Planning to First Time Attend our Class ?

Full DIRECTIONS & DETAILS: see # 6 on side-bar -

also read # 1, # 2 & # 3 to get more flavor of what we're about

phone: 310-450-2268 ..~.. email: AkasaLeviZZ@msn.com __________________________________________________

~ currently ~
Santa Monica

MONDAYS 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

The “BUDDHISM” Weekly Class for Insight Meditation:
Actually Living the "WISDOM-PATH OF NO EXPECTATIONS”
is truly a Path of Abundant ‘Practice Opportunities’ that surround you.
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ALL Levels: First-timers, Newcomers & Beginners,

Experienced Returners, Regulars or Irregulars

Spring / Summer 2010 continuously Ongoing

Please Be Welcome to Inquire by phone
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Info for Retreats / Events are always found
at section # 5 via our sidebar at left
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because of The National Depression Epidemic, Akasa-ji has to work most weeknights, and so

• The OPEN Weekly Evening Class with Akasa Levi - is now combined
with an ( all levels ) Study-Group Nite for Beginning Students,
as well as more 'experienced' meditation students with a 'practice'.
MONDAYS • 7:30 - 9:30 PM • Santa Monica • 310-450-2268
Best phone times to inquire – on any day – Noon to 6pm
• Start or Join our Ongoing Classes at Any Time, Any Monday •

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.a more Outside-The-Box-Buddhism

~for~

..a much more Maverick-Spirited Inner-Quest !
.

____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________

and also quarterly Retreats . . .

Ask about our periodic

Relationship Daylongs*

A Compassionate Mindfulness Meditation

inspired by a deeper exploration into our

'Relationship-dharma' using some

of the radical poetry & teachings

of Rilke, Rumi & The Buddha

A Daylong Retreat into Silent Sittingin Stillness & Satsang with Akasa Levi

Definitions: Retreats
( to go into an introspective group-isolation;
to pull back from the everyday world to give more
mindful-attention to one's less clear inner-world )
.
* What Retreats Always Offer: TIME to Sit ! ! !

and the necessary deeper "immersion-time experiences"

often lacking in somewhat more 'casual' meditation sitting.

Meditation is an acquired taste - a short retreat is a

quick way to get it. Offering yourself 'periodic intensives'

could make all the 'experiential-difference' in really

establishing yourself in an authentic 'relationship' with

the meditation 'practice'. When your meditation sitting time

is over for the day, you're in a whole new place with yourself...

Beginners: A 'Daylong' is really the very BEST way to Begin!

.... also see much more complete description about upcoming

Retreats & Classes at section # 5 via our sidebar up top

____________________________________________________________________________

"Courage is the choice that something else is more important than Fear." ~ Ambrose Redmond

____________________________________________________________________________
...
.
" The Journey Itself.... IS the Destination ! "
.
.
Definition: Buddhism ( Buddhi: to 'Awaken' ).

...Buddhism was born from the life-changing experiences of Siddhartha Gautama,

the over-indulged son of a benevolent Indian king. Gautama, who historians say probably

lived between 580 and 480 B.C., renounced the advantages of his high social caste,

traveling teacher to teacher to fully comprehend the true meaning of human suffering.

In an 'ultimate revelation', Gautama became the Buddha, laying down an elaborate

set of sophisticated psychological ideas without reliance on a Diety. That human

beings themselves had, through reincarnation's cycle of death & re-birth, developed

the wholesome capacity to consciously break from their basest urges and peacefully

achieve the freedom of complete enlightenment known as Nirvana..

The idea of this 'search for wisdom' and its application to everyday life exerted

a tremendous pull on Gautama, who had never been fully satisfied with the

shallow explanations and exhortations of the 'religions' of his day. When some

wandering monks agreed to teach him, he said he found himself among men

who lived their faith and made him understand that he could share what he

learned, too. This was his true higher education, reality-wisdom for Life.

He fully understood the absolutely inclusive inter-dependence of all of us.

"How can I be happy if there are so many who aren't?" He decided to teach.

~ thanks Mark Lisheron

..
SEEKING AN INTELLIGENT SPIRITUAL PRACTICE ? ~ Gosh, We Hope So !
...

." What is accepted by the majority of people ~

does not mean it is Real " ~ The Buddha 500 BC

Defintion: Vipassana ( to turn inward; insight )

♦ The Purpose of Vipassana Insight Meditation

Vi.pass.ana in the Pali-language of the original Buddhist teachings –

is the simple and direct practice of ‘moment-to-moment’ mindfulness.

Through careful sustained observation, we experience directly for ourselves

the ever-changing flow of the mind/body process. This keen awareness leads us

to accept more fully the pleasure and pain, fear and joy, sadness and happiness

that life inevitably brings to all our ‘experiences’. As insight-awareness deepens,

we develop greater equanimity & peace in the face of change. Wisdom and

Compassion increasingly become the major guiding principles ‘informing’ our lives.

~ Joseph Goldstein

.
.

" People who have tried and trained themselves with this
simple movement of looking inward to their actual nature.
They tell us how, over time, the fear of life that is the source
and substance of all human misery and hatred of life -
has dissolved for them.
Most are taken by surprise by the quietness with which
equanimity and ease of being emerge from the shadows.

Many are tickled to see how easy it all is, after all.
It’s not at all uncommon for someone from whom
the fear of life has departed - not even to notice it -
until the change in their demeanor is called to their
attention by a friend or relative.

.Many come to a new appreciation for the beauty
of humanity's religious, spiritual and philosophical efforts
for all these thousands of years to say something true
and helpful about reality - and to a sad new astonishment
at how little practical help all that overlooked beauty
has yet provided us.The only thing that really recommends
this work is that it actually works - people actually fall in love
with their lives, not with some magical future state of perfection,
but the 'actual perfection' of present-reality. ~ John Sherman

__________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________
.
..

.About ~ The Laughing Buddha Sangha

......... read more about us here below and in the various posts

on the sidebar like # 1 intro, #3 Overview, #5 Class Updates

♦ BUDDHIST MEDITATION: Simply The Power of Much More Inner-Silence. Practicing Silent Sitting in Stillness with your own evolving Dharma 'Informed' Mind. SATSANG: DHARMA 'CONVERSATIONS' on AWAKEN.MENT ~

A Community 'Practice of Inquiry' into the Grand Illusion of "Self"
We offer a BUDDHISM WITHOUT ANY 'BELIEFS' whatsoever ~

calmly de-conditioning ourselves towards an Uncompromised Awakening

The Laughing Buddha Sangha offers the original Traditional Buddhist

Theravada Lineage-based Practice of Vipassana Insight Meditation for an

un-decorated clarity of view to cultivating 'The Presence of Mindfulness' within...

Yet, with strong regard for individual spiritual-experiences, an open heart and

free thought and creative expression, The Laughing Buddha Sangha is both

erudite, eclectic, enlightening & entertaining in it's relation to the " illusory ".

Mindfully Awakening
the Compassionate-Insight
Naturally Deep Within Us All.

"Just the Rational Deeply appreciating the Mystical,
and the Mystical Deeply flavoring the Rational."~ Bhante Ananda Maitreya

• Join our Ongoing CLASSES & PROGRAMS •

Weekly Classes Ongoing thru Winter/Spring 2009

Please Plan Ahead - Make your Phone Inquiries now -

at least check it out ! - space here does get limited.

Yet, we can always try 'n squeeze in one more mind –

Join our ongoing classes at any time – just call ahead

The LAUGHING .BUDDHA .SANGHA Programs

with former Buddhist monk Akasa Levi, DhMA (D.Min)

BUDDHIST MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

• Co-ed Beginner's Meditation Sitting Groups

....Vipassana Insight Awareness Meditation

.....Buddhist Non-Duality Inquiry into 'Self'

• "The Power of Much More Inner-Silence"

and "The Path of No Expectations" Retreats

• ZEN MEN :: Men's Inner-Growth Peer Groups

• Building a large Resource Website & Archive

– The "BUDDHISM" Class –

Weekly Theravada Zen Dharma Study Class

also ~ "The Spiritual Adulthood Counseling Project"

Buddhist-based Therapy & Relationship Counselinghttp://buddhistcounselingtherapy.blogspot.com/
.

____________________________________

.
.

" Meditation helps to keep us

from so identifying with
our own 'movies' of the mind."~ Joan Borysenko, M.D..

______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Definitions: Here's More . . .

Buddhist • Vipas'sana • Insight •
Awareness • Dharma • Bha'vana •
Sati.pat'thana • Mindfulness • Meditation
.
Above are the various Names in use - that our

Theravada Buddhist Meditation is often referred to by ––

'Vipassana' ( 'to turn deeply inward' ) Mindfulness of one's self
is a softening, silent sitting-style Jnana 'Yoga of The Mind'.

It Observes. It doesn't try to fix, tamper, judge or psychologize.

Gradually training yourself to just simply Sit Still in the midst of it all.

'Sati' - ‘Mindfully’ attentive of the constant 'becoming' ( 'bhavana' )

within the entire body-mind-process – Watching – Witnessing –
Observing without Reacting. Softly allowing Stillness to arise within you.
.
After group-sitting, we do a “Dharma Satsang” - a Group Discussion about Reality.

Dharma/Truths/Natural Law - Satsang/Sangha/Community - exploring the "What Is".

Often bringing forward insight-recognition and realization of the 'true nature of things'. .

We will also help you understand some of the powerful ancient sacred
psychologies of the basic Indian root-traditions of traditional Buddhist Vipassana, Hindu Raj
Yoga, Advaita Jnana Yoga, and the wonderfully irrational Zen practices with a touch of pithy Tao..

___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

~ here's a good buddhist
DEFINITION of 'meditation' - an anglo-word
.
MED•I•TATE – Latin: medi’tatus – from MEDI -
to be right here in the MIDDLE OF - and yet,
be of neither this side nor that side -
'to be meta-physically poised on the fence'– exquisitely balanced.
To be in an alert semi-trance-like state
of relaxed observation, where physical action
is voluntarily suspended. This enhances the
ability to deeply observe, witness, consider,
contemplate or simply watch without judgment,
without commenting or the impulsive 'need'
to arrive at any choice or any decision or simplyto arrive anywhere.
The meditator develops the ability to 'space-out' (space-in)
while being fully mindful & keenly awake, reducing
that nagging 'obsessive' thought activity; an alert, wakeful
but deeply restful attentiveness without the driven impulse
to action; to be serene, sublime, divine, tranquil and
be calmly passive BUT by voluntary choice –
until a Wisdom-Informed Intent of a 'skillful action'
that is entirely appropriate to the situation
naturally arises & unfolds . . .

"Becoming a true disciple of your very own Awareness"
~ as Bhante says... Ideally, to be more & more free from
'self-identified', self-conscious thinking – by choice.
To allow a letting-go – and to just sit there
free of 'compulsive' desire, impulse and attachment.
The Ideal Meditation: all ‘demands’ cease –
to be still and more at peace within. ~ Akasa Levi
_______________________________________________________________

.♦ Practicing Meditation

.....Is Practicing to Keep The Heart Open

Coming to our senses & opening our hearts -

is the basic sacred work of meditation.

Meditation is a way of experiencing the world without aggression and fear.

A path of cultivating sanity and generating compassion, which leads to peace

in ourselves – which we can then, each individually, extend boundlessly

and un-compromisingly out into the world.

Meditation, is in itself, an "act of resistance" to the inhumanity of violence,

war and misguided human politics – whether you feel it is a ‘just’ political

environment or not. How do you keep your heart open in the face of anger,

fear, disappointment and sorrow? During meditation we experience ways

spiritual practice can realistically express our love of life & bring a peaceful

co-existence to this world – in a skillful, responsible, pro-active way - as we

‘train’ ourselves outside of our usual framework of time & space and daily

responsibility - and then go back in !

~ Sharon Salzberg
.

_______________________________________

.
.

.Definition: Meditation

.
"Yes, this 1000 year-old wisdom-quote below
has enlightened many student-yogis down
through the centuries upon it's realization."
.

♦ "If you don't clearly understand
that ‘Whatever’ appears IS meditation -
Then what can you achieve by applying
a divine or spiritual ‘antidote’?
’Ideas’ & ‘conceptions’
are not abandoned
by just discarding them –
but are spontaneously freed
by themselves when they 'recognize'
and 'realize' themselvesas simply only an illusion."~ The Dakini Niguma 1025 AD.

________________________________________________________________.

Tricky Stuff, this Zen Mind ! If you want to be truly free
Get to know your
"No-Self-Consciousness" that
is no longer self-conscious Self.
But how? Just 'Know' that
‘The real Real’ has No form, No root,

No basis, No abode, No appearance.

"What is the true shape of a cat ?"
But it is lively and buoyant.
It responds with versatile facility.
But how? Just 'Know' that
Its function cannot be located...
Therefore when you look for it,
You become further from 'It'.
When you seek 'It' - since 'It' isn't You turn away from ‘It’ all the more.
~ Rinzai 850 AD
.______________________________________________________________ .
• Meditate • Inner-Inquiry • Study • Contemplate ___________________________________________________________..

Your true ‘Authentic Being’

is always shining and free !

But human beings go make

a ‘Something’ out of absolutely Nothing.

And get so attached to that non-something

– and then automatically enter the ocean

of ‘suffering’ of that illusory 'something'.

It's ALL in your mind.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Only without 'attachment-thinking'

can you return to your true Non-Self,

which is the authentic 'No' self.

Practice "Don't-Know-Mind".

Practice "No-Surprise-Mind".

The mountain is always blue.

White clouds coming and going.

~ Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn

_______________________________________________

_____________________________________________

MOONS & PONDS as Poetic Metaphors

The Moon is one –

but on agitated water

it produces many reflections.

Ultimate Reality is One –

yet seen through a mind

agitated by thoughts,

it ‘appears’ to be many.

Complexity appears –

ripples radiating across

what was once a still pond.

~ The Ramayana

The Lotus has its roots in the dark mud,

Grows up through the dirty deep water,

And as it rises to the surface.

It blooms into perfect beauty

and purity in the sunlight.

It is like the mind unfolding

into perfect joy and wisdom.

~ The Lotus Sutra

Enlightenment is like

the Moon reflected in the water.

The Moon does not get wet

nor is the water broken.

Although its light is wide and great,

the moon is reflected

even in a puddle a single-inch-wide.

The whole moon and the entire sky

Are reflected in one single

little dew-drop on the grass.

~ Zenmaster Dogen 13th century AD

Solitude is such a beautiful thing !

but it really needs someone to tell you

that 'Solitude' is such a beautiful thing.

~ Honore de Balzac – 1840

______________________________________________________________

It is highly recommended that you read some more
in this Buddha.Blog – and see if you relate to some of
what we have to say – as the really distilled down version
of the whole 'Teaching' is actually right here scattered
throughout this big bundle of quotes. Hopefully it's going
to be an informative, fun site for you to graze in the Dharma,
full of ancient & modern realization-treasures and poetic inspiration

.................................... ~ thank you for your interest & patience ~

____________________________________________________________________________________

.
Please Go Next to "OVERVIEW" # 3 on menu... or wherever you like...

( 3 ) OVERVIEW of the Class • Our Philosophy and The Nature of the New Student • Buddha the Rebel "Iconoclast"

2008-09-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

.
..
____________________________________________________________________.
Buddhist Meditation ~the power
of much more inner-silence
.
.
BUDDHISM WITHOUT ANY "BELIEFS" *

An Ongoing Study-Series for a more Radical Inner-Quest
and Deep Inquiry into 'Self' – thru Silent Sitting Meditation,
as you increasingly cultivate your own Dharma 'Informed' Mind. .
*Anything you study or hear - has to make 'absolute' sense to specifically You,
. .or the 'realization' isn't Yours ... in Buddhism there is nothing to 'believe' in –
.....Buddhists don't do 'Belief'.

.
"In the stillness – space for a rebellious spirit " ~ Noah Levine ~

.
___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

MONDAY Class:
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm...

HERE's an Important OVERVIEW ~

please scroll & read very slowly ~slow is good~ there is more
about our views in other sections of this blog also: see sidebar

.
Santa Monica ~ The LAUGHING BUDDHA SANGHA

offers a very eclectic “Inquiry into Self” meditation sitting practice ~
combining the cool, calm sobriety and 'observation' approach of
traditional Vipassana Mindfulness Meditation – with the abrupt
'crazy wisdom' irrationality of Zen Non-Duality Realizations –
which can short-circuit even the most tenacious, obsessive
self-involved, self-absorbed, self-identified ego-mind. .
.
"The Meditative-Mind trains us to
undo blind-impulse 'reactivity' –
'Knowing' first, not just 'acting'.
Clarity of "Intent" is everything !" .
"One easily-made, very common mistake
is to think that 'your reality’ is THE Reality.
You must always be prepared to bravely
leave 'your' reality for a greater one." ~ Meeraji .

Our 'practice-group' encourages highly inquisitive, unruffled,
curious people with a natural, deep love of learning – who invite
and even relish the profoundly abstract, and even the absurd,
with a genuine taste for the indefinable 'existential' stuff. .
.
Or you may be a more 'experienced meditator' who is now seeking
a deeper questioning into the 'Idea of Self' - and a more de-mystifying,
open-minded, caring 'conversation' into Wisdom, Empathy and what is
Spiritual 'Reality' in our Western life-style today + poetry, and laughing!
Yet our modern, eclectic practice is informed by the unembellished,
ancient, traditional Theravada Buddha Dharma for clarity of view.
.
"BUDDHA: A JOYOUS ICONOCLAST" The Class Series ~
A Dharma-Study Series that offers a much more outside-the-box-Buddhism !
Rebellious, heart-filled 'heresy' for a more maverick spirited inner-quest - focused
on nourishing an iconoclast intelligence & compassionate critical thinking
with a tender, caring heart - thru some refreshing, risky, even 'radical' spiritual considerations of Absolute 'Reality' that opens us to the uncompromised truths
of our own process of developing a "Dharma 'informed' mind".
.
.
Monday Meditation Evenings Include:
.
INSTRUCTION & SITTING – 7:30pm ~ 9:30 pm
• a 35-40 minute Silent Sitting Meditation on cushion or chair –
• a Dharma Talk or Text Study with Q&A, Satsang or Discussion –
• a Metta-style 'Loving-Kindness' meditation or Sacred Poetry
....or a mini-ritual to conclude at 9:30 pm –
.
Your individual, personal access to the teacher is easily available.
Nothing ever aloof here – just unconventional – Buddha was.....
.
.NEWCOMER'S INSTRUCTION & Pointers:

Newcomers :: Please plan to come 15 minutes early at 7:15 pm
the first few times to meet with the teacher - for some instructive
pointers for the first couple of weeks.
.
.Everybody: please.. BE..M I N D F U L .of..TIME !!!
Sitting begins at 7:30 pm prompt ~ much thanks
.
."Please Arrive On The Early Side of Your Nature"
– so you have generous time to settle-in & settle down
.
.
"True ‘generosity’ towards the Future -
is to give everything now - to the Present."~ Camus
.
.NEWCOMERS / First-Timers
Beginners are very welcome!
You will be very, very patiently guided.
You are asked to inquire by phone first -
n’ let's see if this group is possibly even for you. .
.
This Sitting & Study Group encourages highly inquisitive, progressive-minded people, with a natural, deep love of learning - who relish the abstract, and even the absurd –
and Buddhism is playful too. . ..
.
". . . ever notice, that it's Always NOW " .
~ Alan Watts suggests you repeatedly keep noticing this daily, breath by breath ... .
.
"Our deepest fears are like dragons
guarding our deepest treasure." ..
~ Rainier Rilke 1908 .
.
A Path with Heart.
Keep me away
from the wisdom
which does not cry, the philosophy
which does not laugh, and the greatness
which does not bow
before little children .......~ Kahlil Gibran.
_________________________________.
.
“The Spiritual Warrior chooses
A Path with Heart and follows it.
He 'knows', because he 'sees' –
He sees that his life will be over
altogether too soon.
He really knows that nothing is more important
than any 'thing' else is. It all is important.
And then he rejoices and laughs.
A Path is only a 'path' - and there is no affront,
to oneself or to others, in dropping it -
if that is what your heart tells you.
Look at every path closely and deliberately.
Try it as many times as you think necessary.Then ask yourself, and yourself alone, one question –
“ Does this Path have a Heart? ”
If it does, the path is good - If it doesn't - It is of no use.”

The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge – Carlos Castaneda (1968).

. and just 'consider' . . . not accept or believe - just consider
"Even tho' the Buddhist Practice Path is really always all about a truly Uncompromised 'Awakening' –
either all at once – or as a gradual Awakening over time –
yet you certainly CAN do this !
.. . . or WHY would The Buddha ever even have taught it ?
– If it couldn’t be done? Duh ?".

.~ Bhante Kassapa – Rockhill Hermitage, Sri Lanka
"Duh?" was learned from his years of teaching Westerners...

All Conscious Beings are essentially Buddhas.
As with water and ice, there is no ice without water.
Apart from Conscious Beings, there are no Buddhas.
Not knowing how close the truth really, really is,
we struggle to seek it so far away ~
You yourself are 'Buddha-mind' !
Buddha is here now.
~ Hakuin Ekaku Zenji.
.
.
Empiricism + Altruism = Buddhism

_____________________________________________
_______________________________________________
.
Below is The Complete Buddhist Dharma Practice in two sentences:
.
" Let a Dharma-based Compassion
keep influencing your Wisdom ~
.and Let a Dharma-based Wisdom
keep informing your Compassion."
~ Bhante Ananda Maitreya

___________________________________________________________
.
."The ICONOCLASTS" – the mavericks, innovators, rule-breakers,
heretics, rebels and ground shakers – an 'Iconoclastic-tone'
always flavored Buddhist Wisdom Practice.
.
ICON ~ an 'Icon' or 'Image'
and CLASTIC ~ 'To Break'

Definition: a 'view-opposing' to the ordinary accepted:
one who challenges or 'breaks-with' traditional 'beliefs',
entrenched customs, rituals, religious practices, icons,
dogma, Deity or old paradigms

To Break ( and to make new Paradigms ) It's more global now,
and maybe now the 'force' or a critical-mass of New Thought,
a healthy planetary mind-set or paradigm is pro-actively working.

So, here's an 'Old Image-Breaking' introduction-class to a
modern "Buddhism" that may turn-off some romantic seekers,
the spiritually-sensitive, or scare away & discourage others
~or~ maybe find a really ready-mind. .
..
REBEL SAINTS ~ Buddhism can be an Iconoclast's Path.

Within 'Buddhism' there are also gentler, softer, sweeter,
devotional pathways also... but let's get some of the 'hard' stuff
under our belts, first – the mellow will come on it's own. Buddha
was a heretic, a pioneering "Iconoclast": an Angelic Troublemaker. . ..
.
.
" Every community needs a group of angelic troublemakers " ...~ Bayard Rustin - a gay, black social activist & counsel to MLK during the 60's .
..

QUESTION EVERYTHING ! – BELIEVE NOTHING ! – KNOW When You KNOW !.
__________________________________________________________________

* more About The "Buddhism" Class and You there is more about our 'views' scattered in other sections of this blog: see sidebar....

"BUDDHA: The JOYOUS .ICONOCLAST" .

♦ Buddhism Without Any 'Beliefs' whatsoever. Buddha was a total Iconoclast ~ A Quietly Joyous 'Radical',
a Quietly Maverick Ole' Monk ! ..."The Great Empiricist".
Our core-practice is solidly-informed by the earliest traditional
Pali Theravada Sutras to insure Buddha’s original Insight-Process –
without any cultural-beliefs or add-ons for a clean, 'un-decorated'
clarity of view – that is 2500 years old – plus some of Zen and
later Mahayana mind-altering contributions.
We keep it inclusive, yet profoundly simple. .
The "BUDDHISM" Class: What we offer is a 'Buddhist Classroom'
where you may continually refine your Beginner's Practice of
Silent Sitting Meditation with a clear-cut understanding of
'What IS Buddhist Philosophy?' or is it a Psychology?
– and 'What DID the Buddha actually teach?' We offer the opportunity to sit a deeper meditation with an
American Buddhist teacher, a former ordained Buddhist monk
who lived for years in Asia – and trained in this multitude of often
unfamiliar Eastern transformative practices. And why & how they
work within your very Being.

_____________________________________________________________.

There are just a few 'seekers' already out there now who are ready –
and really 'seeking' to do a much deeper questioning into the 'False-Belief '
in an abiding 'Self'. We offer a de-mystifying, open-minded, caring
'conversation' into Wisdom, Empathy and a Spiritual Reality
in our Western life-style - plus some poetry & laughing!
____________________________________________________
.
Already some Experience with meditation sitting-practice?
Meditators with already more consistent 'sitting experience' - or
some background in a teacher-led practice, actual retreats, etc -
are always welcome to come sit & join in with us at anytime.
Now may be an excellent opportunity to re-connect with a
group-sitting practice or to further develop your training
in the Dharma. You are always welcome to come and
do 'sittings' with us and join in the Dharma discussion
with us at anytime without any 'class commitments'.
This is also true for our Sangha-posse of
"Irregular-Regulars" who have previously
attended frequent meditation classes &
sittings on a regular basis in the past.
.
.Some Lapsed Practice ? . . . .

So – come renew, refresh, review, revive – or
even challenge your current meditation practice –
or maybe you've been spiritualy hibernating ...
At an Impasse: Stagnated?
Stale? Stymied? Sleepy?
Stumped? Slumped? Stuck?

A really sincere, very real, good 'Practice Opportunity'
is to fully experience your 'resistences' while actually
sitting meditation. Now that's Practice ! The very best
way to ‘maintain’ real, progressive continuity of mindful
Insight Practice – is to be in stillness & silence with
silent group support - and the presence of a teacher.
You are always very welcome to come sit & join in
with us at anytime. Already some experience
with meditation ? Come on over. _____________________________________________

And ~ please ask about The Core Study Group Nite.
Here's an Informal Deep Study Series offering a much more
way Outside-the-Box-Buddhism. Heart-filled 'heresy' for a
more Maverick Spirited Inner-Quest - nourishing your evolving
'Iconoclast Intelligence' & Compassionate Critical Thinking,
with a tender, caring heart – through some refreshing, yet even
'radical' spiritual 'new' considerations of Reality empathically
‘de-constructioned’ - as you cultivate your very own
Dharma 'Informed' Mind.
.
Core-Group is usually limited to more sitting-practiced students,
previous students who've attended here, or those few folks who've
got more of a mixed Dharma-background. .

" What is accepted by the majority of people ~
......does not mean it is Real " ...~ The Buddha .
.
_______________________________________
.
.
The Buddhist Path to Freedom:
Breaking the 'Addiction' to the Mind.

Buddhism is a path to freedom from suffering. That 'suffering' originates
in the 'addictive quality' of the mind - our habitual tendency to grasp & attach
to pleasure and push away pain. All addictions stem from these same roots.
.The Path offers a spiritual and psychological process of transformation
that has proven to be a most effective treatment for our human addiction
to thinking - and all the suffering we create with the mind. And Buddhist
meditation is the most potent tool we've found for recovering our original
wholeness or what is called 'Buddha Nature'.
.Buddhism is a way of life. The practices of meditation, ethical behavior and
compassionate engagement with the world are to be developed and lived in
everyday life. Buddhist meditation and Dharma discussions focus on the
application of mindfulness and compassion in everyday circumstances.
Freedom is not a mystical destination, it is a moment-to-moment choice
of how we respond to our own lives in this world.
.Wisdom resides within all living beings, Compassion is our truest nature.
Spiritual 'Practice' is the path to uncovering our innate wisdom by settling
into present-time-awareness. Compassion will arise as we delve into
the heart of emotional intelligence and investigate our old conditioning.
.
The Buddha referred to his Awakening as having been "Against the Stream".
The Spiritual Path is one of revolutionary acts of non-violent rebellion against
greed, hatred and delusion - both positive and negative forms of subversion
of the dominant paradigm - and elucidate the Buddhist path of wisdom and
compassion that leads to Freedom.
____________________________.

We offer an introduction and overview of the philosophy and practice of
the ancient teachings of the Buddha. All of the Buddhist world revolves
around the 'core teachings' of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Explore the teachings of the Buddha and how they can be applied to life in
modern society. Guided meditations will be offered - and at the end of the
course an optional ceremony of empowerment and refuge may be offered
for all who wish to continue to deepen their commitment to Awakening.
.Our meditation classes are intended for all levels of interest.Classes will explore Buddhist teachings on finding more inner freedom
and ease, even amidst turbulent times. Classes and retreats, appropriate
for new or more experienced meditators, will offer systematic instructions
in mindfulness meditation. The format will include silent and guided sitting
meditation, walking meditation, loving kindness meditation, dharma talks
and small group meetings with a teacher. We will build a deeper sense
of understanding and connection through dyads and small group sharing.
.Participants will be guided in integrating ancient Buddhist practices with
modern psychological and emotional exercises as an invitation to wholeness.
We will encourage and support a warm, wholehearted, embodied "mindfulness
practice" with instructions in sitting and walking, as well as loving-kindness
and forgiveness practices - highlighting a transforming-potential for how
to embody a wise, compassionate and easeful relationship to our lives.
.Make a radical change in your life by discovering what it means to be Truly Free.
..
~ Noah Levine, teacher/author of "Dharma Punx" and "Against the Stream".
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." INNER-STILLNESS ITSELF ! . . is really
what Awakens Your Deep Radiant Heart
of Natural Grace, Compassion & Wisdom. "
.
.
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PS: If you know someone else in your life who just may
also benefit by our offerings, be very welcome to put them
in phone contact with us. 310-450-2268 ~ Noon to 6 pm M/F.

BUT - Please Ask Them to visit this Buddha-Blog FIRST – Or email them this Link: http://buddhistmeditationsantamonica.blogspot.com/

Then they can graze around this little site for themselves, as you probably did –
Either a casual perusal -or- a more focused-reading in here may make such
a big huge difference in the quality of the phone-conversation we have -
it can help raise the level of 'informed-decision' simply by the talk we
and your friend may have together ! We love to raise questions
and share responses. Reading this blog could enhance that...

Thanks ... and enjoy the rest of our Buddha-Blog . . .

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( 8 ) Teacher media BIO • our CONTACT Info • About Bringing a FRIEND • and about the Western misunderstanding about the Teacher/Student Relationship

2008-09-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

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Press Bio. ___________________________________________________________
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. ( 1 ) short

Akasa Levi - an ex-pat American filmmaker of the Sixties Counter-Culture generation that went to live in Asia for the full decade of the 70's to be with the last living spiritual teachers of the pre-global era. Akasa became a Buddhist forest monk for six years in Sri Lanka, trained & ordained by Bhante Ananda Maitreya.

First initiated by Lama Thubten Yeshe & Zopa Rinpoche in Nepal - Sri Munindra in Bodhgaya, India - and Sri Goenka & Nisargadatta Maharaj in Bombay. Akasa is a Buddhist counselor-therapist in private practice, and is a Bodhi-Acharya 'lineage-holder' of the Theravada teaching-transmission. He is known for his spontaneity and wry unpredictable humor.

( 2 ) longer - reads fuller

♦ Akasa-Maitreya Levi, DhMA ( D.Min ) ~ SUNY Harpur College / Binghamton University, New York – an ex-pat American of the Sixties counter-culture generation that went to live a full decade in Asia during the 1970s - to be directly with the last living spiritual teachers of the pre-global era.

He was a Vipassana Buddhist forest monk for six years – trained and ordained into the Theravada monastic lineage by the revered Bhante Ananda Maitreya, the Amarapura Maha Nayake of Sri Lanka - and by his disciple Polpitiya Kassapa Maha Thera.

Originally arriving in India in 1972 as a filmmaker & student of the Gurdjieff 'Work', Akasa became a Vajrayana initiate of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery in Nepal – later, a Vipassana student of Sri Anagarika Munindra and S.N. Goenka, and sitting Zazen with Subhuti Shibuya Sensei: all in Bodhgaya, India – and practicing Non-Duality Advaita in satsang with Nisargadatta Maharaj in Bombay. He is so very grateful for the gift of these long ’practice’ experiences.

Akasa studied Western analytic therapy at UCLA after returning to America. He teaches Mindfulness Insight-Meditation at The Laughing Buddha Sangha - and leads ZEN•MEN inner-growth groups - and also offers private therapy & counseling sessions at The Spiritual Adulthood Project. Akasa is a 'Bodhi-Acharya' lineage-holder of the Theravada teaching-transmission. He is known for his spontaneity and wry unpredictable humor. 1-310-450-2268 - akasalevizz@msn.com

( 3 ) really short . . .

Akasa Levi - lived in Asia for the full decade of the 70's to be with the last living spiritual teachers of the pre-global era. Initiated by Lama Thubten Yeshe & Zopa Rinpoche in Nepal - Sri Munindra in Bodhgaya, India - and Goenka & Nisargadatta in Bombay. He
was a Buddhist forest monk for six years in Sri Lanka, trained & ordained by Bhante Ananda Maitreya. Akasa is known for his spontaneity and wry unpredictable humor..

Also, for another bio see the profile on this Blog's sidebar.

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CONTACT

-:¦:- Weekly ZEN MEN's Inner-Growth Groups

...Compassionately & Intelligently Explores

a Man's Deeper Core Life-Issues

"Yup, EVERY GUY COULD USE BEING

IN A MEN’S GROUP at some time in his life"

"Good Men Becoming Even Better Men !"

Guys learning to trust & support each other in making important life changes

• HONEST TALK • HEART-FELT LISTENING • MEANINGFUL FEEDBACK

• STRONG FELLOWSHIP • Men's Blog

http://zenmensgroup.blogspot.com/

_________________________________________________________________

Please make ALL inquiries by phone • Best phone times: Noon to 6pm, Mon-Fri 310-450-2268 – unfortunately, emails do tend to get buried & we like to talk 'live' _________________________________________________________________

-:¦:- The SPIRITUAL ADULTHOOD THERAPY & COUNSELING PROJECT

Buddhist-based, more Alternative Approach to Relating with Your 'Self' & Others.

• Private One-to-One Individual Personal-Growth Therapy

• Relationship Counseling for all kinds of 'Partnerings' ~

Couples, Marriages, Friendships & Workplaces experiencing

Emotional and Communication Breakdowns & Breakthroughs

Befriending the 'Heart of the Mind' to find

the truly sane, loving & alive part of you !

"Reaching Out to Reach Deeper In"

Buddhism • a 2500 year-old mental-wellness tradition

http://buddhistcounselingtherapy.blogspot.com/

“You take care of the Inside

~and~

the Inside will take care of the Outside”

~ The Tao .

_____________________________________________________________

....WISH LIST :: A NET VOLUNTEER, an IT Person . . .

....We're lookin' to welcome a volunteer 'Spirit' or a Tech-angel

..who's a web-designer or web-master / blog mistress or meister

with ideas – and that feels an odd-affinity for what we're about.You?

______________________________________________________________

About Bringing a Friend !

PS: If you know someone else in your life who just may also benefit
by our offerings, be very welcome to put them in phone contact with us. .

BUT - Please Ask Them to visit this Blog FIRST – Or email them this Link:

...................... http://buddhistmindfulnessmeditation.blogspot.com/

Then they can graze around this site for themselves, as you probably did

– as a casual perusal, or a more focused-reading in here may make such

a big huge difference in the quality of the phone-conversation we have -

It can help raise the level of 'informed-decision' simply by the talk we and

your friend may have together ! Often a good start begins with a phone chat.

We love to hear the many interesting questions raised and share responses.

Thanks ... and hope you're enjoying our Buddha-Blog . . .

.
____________________________________________________
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The 'Teacher' is a 'Student' Too !!!

The Teacher/Student Responsibility

by Yvone Rand Sensei .
Some years ago I was studying with the late Tara Tulku Rinpoche. I asked him to teach me practices pertaining to death and dying. Clear that his training did not include this aspect of Buddhist training, he sent me to find a Nyingma Lama who could guide me. So you can see that a teacher needs both the wisdom and the latitude to recognize that sometimes s/he may not be suitable for a particular student.
I find that seeing my relationship with a student in terms of a beginning, middle and end helps me clarify my roles as a teacher. In the beginning I ask the student to tell me what he or she is looking for. I can then decide if I am an appropriate teacher for that student. Often we will make a contract for a set number of months with an explicit set of mutually developed goals. At the end of the period we review our relationship and evaluate how things are going for each of us.
A teacher benefits significantly by having peer relationships. Peers can help a colleague consider how to handle a relationship with a student that gets out of balance or when a 'transference' occurs that challenges the teacher. Transference problems and potential boundary violations are common areas of difficulty that are inherent to teacher-student territory. Active and honest participation in a feedback loop is essential - if a teacher sincerely wishes to keep teacher and student alike out of trouble in their relationship.
Rudimentary training in Western psychotherapy is critical for Buddhist teachers; advanced work is preferable. Training in family systems theory, in boundaries, and in transference and counter-transference are especially important. If, as a teacher, I have not done my own psychological work I need to do in order to understand my own behavioral patterning and my own mental and emotional tendencies, I may easily become confused about what a student needs and fail to differentiate what is primarily psychological work, on the one side, from authentically spiritual work, on the other, and I shall have little chance to understand the border zone where the two merge and blur.
Teachers need to be rigorously clear and consciously explicit about their reasons for 'teaching'. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has listed three ways in which one might become a teacher: being authorized by one's own teacher; being asked to teach by students; and having a strong inner impulse to share one's own spiritual experience. Issues of qualification and authorization, whether formal or informal, vary from tradition to tradition. I encourage students to ask about a teacher's authorization and training. Both the tone and the content of the response can be informative.
The teacher must also be clear about where to teach, whom to teach, what one is ready to teach, and what additional training and experience one needs before beginning or continuing to teach. I have often worked with teachers who are fearful about one-to-one meetings with students or about giving formal dharma talks. Working with a more experienced teacher can foster proficiency and confidence. Developing effective communications skills is another important area. Teaching has a business side. Whether the venue be large or small, the teacher should understand the legal and financial dimensions of teaching. Failure to acquire such pragmatic knowledge can lead to confusion and chaos, not to mention wrongdoing.
When someone comes to me for advice about finding a teacher, I recommend observing a number of different teachers in different settings. I advise watching to see if the teacher is open to being questioned. Does the teacher demonstrate in his or her own conduct the qualities the teacher is teaching? I advise people to honor their intuitive responses to both the teacher and the teacher's settings. One can learn a lot about a teacher by observing the teachers' students.

Students frequently confuse enthusiasm for 'Buddhist practice' and 'enthusiasm for a particular teacher'. Students can be dazzled by mere charisma. Impatience and longing may lead them not to test what actually fits for them and for their spiritual life. Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, the Zen teacher around whom the San Francisco Zen Center started, said years ago that, "sometimes I am the teacher and you are the student. And sometimes you are the teacher and I am the student." This pointing out has been invaluable to me over the years. Suzuki Roshi's lecture ( in Zen Mind Beginner's Mind ) on how to control your sheep or your cow has also been invaluable. There he talked about giving the student a big pasture yet keeping 'present' with the student all the while.
For students and teachers alike I recommend listing out all the 'teachers' and 'teachings' one has received in one's lifetime. The exercise can clarify what constitutes effective teaching, no matter which seat one is taking at any given time.
I have been fortunate to have had a number of extraordinary teachers in my years of study and practice on the Buddhist path. I have also studied with teachers who caused great harm as teachers. From the latter I learned, painfully, about what does not work and what is not effective or wholesome in a teacher-student relationship.

The teacher-student relationship is based on Trust. As a teacher I want to build a relationship with the student that will withstand trouble over time. I must know how to hold the container within which the relationship occurs, one that protects both parties. Therefore I must not engage in confusing, dual relationships with my students. I find not having an active social relationship with students crucial to this end. The special intimacy that is possible in the teacher-student relationship is precious and worth safe-guarding. For both parties there is a need to be respectful, to pay attention to one's own experience in particular - and to not turn away from what arises as difficult within the relationship.
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2002 Yvonne Rand
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Optional - yet very Important ~ A PATH with HEART ~
in Jack Kornfield's book - chapters 16,17,18 on Students & Teachers . .
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( 4 ) The Optional Beginner's "PRACTICE-CLASS-COMMITMENT" - a practice-option that we only 'suggest' to you -- is fully explored + plus some encouraging words

2008-09-06T03:09:00.000-07:00

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♦ Very IMPORTANT, folks –
.
Please – do not feel intimidated or shudder
or shut down at the mere mention of 'Commitment' -

or the word 'dedication' or by the reasons & encouragement

about ‘why’ we do a 'practice-commitment'. Music lessons

or Martial Arts are the same way - anything you learn anew.

Some people struggle with the difficulty of ‘commitment’.

Others simply relax and just hang-in there. We do wish

to maintain maximum 'attendee-continuity' –

at it's best optimum-level of learning.

( this is all only a suggested option for you -

1. a steady class commitment

or 2. a more casual attendance...)

A Misson-Statement
.of a 'Self-Dedicated Intent' for

the more motivated Beginner:

for a sturdy, steady, strong

start in Meditation practice.

A Once Weekly Beginner's

“Practice Class-Commitment”

of Six-Weeks ~ an option for a reasonable,

yet a steady 'CONSISTENCY' of Practice -

is sincerely recommended to you ~

and that's not a lot to ask for .. or of yourself.

But, you've gotta wanna sit your own butt down

to fairly frequent, regular 'immersions' in meditation -

IF you really wanna' turn the corner on this...

Once weekly in Class ~And~

2 or 3 or 4 times weekly at Home.

~ You choose how much time you sit ~

15 or 20 minutes or 1/2 hour each time

to really make this meditation 'practice'
.
begin to work for you ! It's a 'Practice'.

. . . and you do want this to work !

If you have ocassional Life or Work-related problems
with keeping up a steady consistent class attendance,

please speak directly with the teacher openly ~

maybe other arrangements can be made.

We'd like to do all we possibly can to

help you to learn to sit meditation..

.
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"Good timber does not
....grow with ease.
......The stronger the wind ~
......~ the stronger the trees." ..~ Willard Marriot.

..

“Commitment” for some - it’s a Difficult, Big Loaded Word . . . Yet it affects everything we do as human beings – be it commitment

to a satisfying ‘relationship’, or to an art, or to your life’s-work, or

to a skill or sport, or to cello lessons. Deication to a 'Practice'.
In the Sanskrit sacred-language of India – one major word for

the whole 'idea' of "Commitment" is the now well known word 'Yoga' –

Yoke: which means one's 'uniting-with', or 'coming to one with' –

be it Hatha Yoga Asanas (postures) or advanced Jnana Yoga

Realization thru Advaita Non Duality practice – or practicing

Buddha's Anicca Anatta Dharma Teachings of Insight Meditation.

'Commitment' is itself the basis of ALL Yoga 'Sadhana' ( Practice ).

.:: Yoga ::.
like 'Yoke' in English

That which Links,

Joins the 'individual-one'

together with the 'Whole One'.

( makes Holy - makes Whole - same word )

Buddhist Yoga ~ is Yoga of the Mind.

Like the 'Yoke' that links the horse to the wagon.

Join with us in utilizing this natural, expedient, effective,

enlightened 'methodology of inner-practice'. Mind-Yoga.

Certainly it's a stretch, but it's a slow, loving, gradual stretch.

Practice, practice, practice – just doing your reps in stillness.
Without making all this something dauntaing or driven...
just gentle n' easy practice - yet with Consistency..

* Initially of course,

you are always welcome
to come for a check-it-out Visit..

Attend One Class. Then after a first visit - or second
– You decide if this ‘growth-setting’ - this challenging,
off-beat, oddly unorthodox Buddhist class is possibly
even for you.
.
This Weekly Class is a small, intimate, 'salon'-style,
in-depth Buddhist meditation and study group.
So come to our little Buddhist meditation shrine-room
to begin meditating. Simply, just come one time and
see if you like it. It's an acquired taste.
.
Certainly the teacher is bit 'odd' & so is the setting:
Would you come back ?

.

." You don't have to see the whole staircase –...just take the first step in faith "....~ M.L.King.

...

Beginners are encouraged to be sincere, very steady attendees –

committed & willing to being present each week for an initial Six-Week

Class-Commitment – that’s really not a lot. It's a highly recommended

option you'll want to give Initial Meditation Practice about 2 months.

For a new, sincere 'Beginner', that's quite reasonable to ask –

AND we understand that you may occasionally, miss your class

due to other important plans. Always a class can be made up.

No hurry. You can't rush Enlightenment..

Beginners ~

AFTER your 'Beginner-Status' is over – after having immersed yourself

in steady weekly attendance doing this ‘Yoga’ of the Mind – then of course

you are most welcome & certainly may want to continue to practice meditation

with us on a regular ongoing-basis AT ANY TIME thereafter – come on your own,

purely on your own terms & schedule –

with NO further class commitment.

The door is simply open to you –

you simply come when you want.

We really do want to make it very easy . . ..

.
"Arriving with 'The Gift of Good Intent' toward your own Success"
~ Old Irish Blessing.

.
Right along with your Weekly Beginner's Class - you're now cultivating

your own steady 'Home Practice' – frequent Sitting Meditation ‘Practice’

becomes gently integrated into your life - as your own special 'Quiet-times',

along side your weekly Meditation Class Night – as you start to really build-in

your own sense of “Meditation-Practice-Opportunities” that are all around you

& within you. A really motivated Meditation takes a willingness to actually

‘practice’. You need to have the meditation 'experiences' that only a frequent

meditation sitting-practice can bring to you. Maybe now, maybe later..

It is an IMPORTANT sense of deep personal 'satisfaction' for your own

learning-curve efforts, to responsibly attend to your "Meditation Class

Commitment" for a steady 6-weeks - or as you've pre-arranged with the

teacher. A solid 'Consistency' of practice can be a very warm, hearty & hardy,

necessary 'working-virtue' for establishing the steady continuity of insight &

comprehension - that is so necessary for seeing Truth. Along-side a steady

'immersion-practice' there develops a much deeper integrated experience of

Compassionate Insight of one's very own 'self' ~ and of the world itself !
.
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." Whatever the Question ~ Love and Kindness is the Answer !"~ The Dalai Lama.
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So Please – do not feel intimidated or ‘shudder’

or shut down at the mere mention of 'Commitment' -
or the word 'dedication' or by the reasons & encouragement

about ‘why’ we do a practice-commitment. Music lessons

or Martial Arts are the same way - anything you learn anew.

Some people struggle with the difficulty of ‘commitment’.

Others simply relax and just hang-in there. We do wish

to maintain maximum 'attendee-continuity' –

at it's best optimum-level of learning..

.

"Tradition should be a guide, not a jailer."

~ W. Somerset Maugham “The Razor’s Edge” 1931
.

. . . . so please be encouraged !.

." You began as a ‘creation’.
Now become a Creator.
Never, never just wait at a barrier " .

~ Mawlana Jalal-ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi Rumi ( 1207–1273 )
13th century Persian poet, mystic, Islamic jurist and theologian
.

" Eighty percent of success is just showing up! "
...~ Woody Allen
.

"While one person hesitates because
they 'feel' inferior & ‘think’ insecure thoughts –
the other is just busy making mistakes a p l e n t y -
and becoming quite superior" ~ The Tao

.

" The Greatest Risk is Not Taking One "

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Please go Next to DETAILS .. or another section
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