Dana Cafe Kick Off Open House Party, Friday May 3rd 2013 April 9, 2013
Posted by ebmc in Community CONNECTIONS, Community DHARMA, Community EVENTS, Dharma, Dharma Resources, Sitting groups & Support groups, Social.add a comment
Dana Cafe Kick Off Open House Party, Friday May 3rd 2013
The Dana Cafe is new monthly gathering in Oakland providing vital teachings at no cost to participants. Each month on first Sundays beginning this May, the Dana Cafe invites a different teacher from various arts and healing traditions. Our monthly classes are offered for Dana (donations) and there is no set fee to attend.
We are inviting our vibrant community of friends, family, change agents, artists, healers and practitioners to join us for a Kick Off Open House Party! This 1st Friday event, held at our collaborative space and community partner, Temescal Art Center, will feature light refreshments, live acoustic music with Eileen Hazel and installations by amazing supporting artists to include Shahara Godfrey, Pamela Ybanez, Seneca Beth Miller, and Laurie Halsey Brown of senseofplace LAB. Meet some of our upcoming guest teachers and gather valuable insight on todays emerging gift economy.
Dana Cafe Kick Off Open House Party
Friday May 3rd 7pm – 11pm
TAC: Temescal Art Center
511 48th St. @ Telegraph Ave. Oakland
Visit our website for more info on Dana Cafe and upcoming classes.
http://www.projectroot.org/dana_cafe.html
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/DanaCafe
Pay it forward if you’re able and make a contribution to support the Dana Cafe
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-the-dana-cafe
Free Meditations and Classes March 1, 2013
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Free Meditations and Classes (March 18-21, 7-8:30 PM)
In order to bring more people the benefits of meditation and Tibetan Yoga, the Institute will be offering a series of free classes or meditation sessions. These sessions are free and are open to all.
Spring: Meditation and Healing March 18-21, 7-8:30 PM
Many health benefits come from regular meditation practice. This series of free classes focuses on meditations that balance the emotions and stimulate natural healing. Classes will be primarily experiential and are open to all.
Monday, March 18, 7-8:30 PM:Healing the Heart: Meditations on Love with Olivia Hurd
Tuesday, March 19, 7-8:30 PM: Healing Pain with Santosh Philip
Wednesday, March 20, 7-8:30 PM: Movement as Meditation with Jack van der Meulen
Thursday, March 21, 7-8:30 PM: Meditation and Healing with Hugh Joswick
Free March Talks: The Human Condition, March 3 – 31
When we look at our lives and the lives of others, we may not know whether to laugh or cry. There is so much beauty, goodness, and potential. But, suffering, harm, and greed are also there, like weeds threatening to overtake a delightful garden.
March talks explore the human condition through the lens of Nyingma Institute teachings. In the first two Sundays of March, we examine how pain and knowledge arise with the goal of penetrating needless patterns of suffering. Then, on the eve of spring, Donna Morton describes how our nutritional needs change with the seasons and what vegetarian foods are good spring choices. Sylvia Gretchen then reflects on rebirth, death, and the process of dreaming, gently drawing attention to Buddhist teachings on consciousness as a fearless path of liberation. On the final Sunday in March, Mark Henderson discusses causality and karma in a talk on the Buddhist “Wheel of Life.”
Sunday, March 3, 6-7 PM
Tom Morse on “Penetrating the Dynamic of Pain.” 6-7 PM
The feeling of pain or suffering does not arise in isolation, but is part of a larger dynamic and rhythm within our experience. In this talk, Nyingma Institute instructor Tom Morse leads participants in an experiential analysis of pain utilizing exercises from the Time, Space, and Knowledge vision. With insight into the flowing rhythms that give rise to pain, we can take steps to interrupt the process, easing the resultant suffering.
Sunday, March 10, 6-7 PM
Ken McKeon on “Unexpected Knowledge.”
“Before concepts and ideas, projections and reactions, knowledge is available in the sound of sound, the voice of the voice, the inquiry of the inquiry, the mind of mind.” Tarthang Tulku, Visions of Knowledge.
The premise that knowledge is ‘already’ there, within senses and mind changes the nature of how and where we look for knowledge. Time, Space, and Knowledge instructor Ken McKeon will point out how to discover knowledge in unexpected ways and places. And show how this kind of knowledge can bring creativity and kindness more fully into our lives.
Sunday, March 17, 6-7 PM
Donna Morton on “‘The Healthy Vegetarian: Nourishing Foods of the Season: Spring.”
As the seasons change, nutritional needs shift. In this talk, nutritional consultant and Nyingma Institute instructor Donna Morton will give tips on healthy vegetarian foods that the body needs to thrive this spring.
Sunday, March 24, 6-7 PM
Sylvia Gretchen on “Reflections on Death, Rebirth, and Dreaming.”
“The ability of mind to sustain both waking reality and the very different reality of dreams only hints at its remarkable power. From a Buddhist perspective, mind is the foundation for both samsara and nirvana, the soil in which karma and the positive qualities of the human spirit can take root.” Tarthang Tulku, Mind Over Matter.
This talk is about consciousness, the deeper levels of mind that weave throughout waking and dreaming and all states of being. We chart teachings on how consciousness changes from moment to moment and life to life. Reflecting on death (what ends?) and rebirth (what endures?) and dream (what happens?), can inspire compassion and a fearless, open-minded curiosity.
Sunday, March 31, 6-7 PM
Mark Henderson on “The Wheel of Life.”
The Buddha taught that our destiny is not determined by fate, but by causality. To illustrate this teaching he described existence as an ever-turning wheel. Propelled by positive or negative actions living beings move to more or less favorable states of existence. Nyingma Institute instructor Mark Henderson will introduce the wheel of life as depicted in Tibetan art and will discuss this key teaching on causality, its inner and outer architecture, and how deeper inquiry and understanding lead to freedom
Learn more at nyingmainstitute.org
Spring 2013 Buddhist Retreats at the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley March 1, 2013
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Spring 2013 Buddhist Retreats at the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley
Retreats offer fresh insights and spiritual refreshment in a gentle, meditative atmosphere. Residential costs for retreats include either a shared or private room. Both residential and non-residential retreats include meals. A private tour of retreat facilities available by appointment. See our photo albums on Facebook for a virtual tour.
New retreats are offered all year long, call or email for retreat dates and details. Retreat Schedule at the end of this list.
NPR406 Medicine Buddha Retreat, March 22-23
Tibetan healing mantras and visualizations that evoke the blessings of the Medicine Buddha have been used for centuries to cure illness and increase well-being. This retreat offers instructions in traditional Medicine Buddha practices along with meditations to bring peace of mind.
Cost: $100 (non-residential); $130 residential. Friday, 7-9 PM; Saturday, 10 AM-4:45 PM. Instructor: Rosalyn White.
MED502 Finding Inner Peace Retreat, March 25-30
“The deep relaxation and openness of meditation offer a different perspective on our thoughts and perceptions… A new mind arises, bearing a sense of lightness and calm that ripples throughout all our activities like laughter.” Tarthang Tulku, “Hidden Mind of Freedom.”
Finding tranquility and ease, even in the midst of a busy life, is the goal of this retreat. Calming meditations (shamatha) form the core of the retreat practice with individualized instruction for each participant. Includes instruction in dream yoga.
Cost: $390 (nonresidential); $650 (residential), includes the “Dream Lotus” and “Calm and Clear” workshops. Primary Instructor: Olivia Hurd.
NPR501 Preparation for the Time of Death Retreat, April 1-6
Meditation practices in this retreat help to prepare for the time of death. Rather than waiting for an unknown destiny, students learn to turn inward and learn the nature of their minds. What they discover heightens appreciation for the value of every moment and every type of experience.
Cost: $390 (nonresidential); $650 (residential), includes “The Wheel of Life” workshop.
Primary Instructor: Sylvia Gretchen.
NPR503 Enlightenment Retreat, May 24-26
It is said that the way to enlightenment can be traveled with a fraction of the effort required to survive the endless suffering of samsara. Students bring the goal of enlightenment to mind in this retreat through meditation, mantra, and prayer that focus on the capacity to transcend suffering.
Cost: $175 (nonresidential) $250 (residential). Instructors: Buddhist studies faculty. Retreat begins Friday at 2 PM and concludes Sunday at 10 AM.
Typical Retreat Schedule, Retreat schedules may vary, or be modified to accomodate personal needs.
7 AM Morning meditation
8 AM Breakfast and breakfast clean up
9:30 AM Instruction session
10:30 AM Tea Break
11 AM Instruction session
12:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
2 – 3:30 PM Work Practice and individual practice/study.
5:30 PM Vegetarian Dinner
6:15 PM Instruction session
Learn more at nyingmainstitute.org
2013 Spring Workshops Nyingma Institute March 1, 2013
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2013 Spring Workshops – Workshops are held almost every Saturday of the year.
The following is a “Title” only listing, learn more at nyingmainstitute.org
Workshops offer fresh insights and spiritual refreshment in a gentle, meditative atmosphere.
Saturday workshops begin at 10 AM, conclude at 4:45 PM, and include a vegetarian buffet lunch, unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all levels of students unless a prerequisite is specified.
Participants may arrange to stay overnight at the Institute for an additional $45 per night.
Stress Reduction through Tibetan Yoga, March 9*
Dream Lotus Evening, March 29, 7—9 PM*
MED403 Calm and Clear, March 30
How to Meditate, March 30, 10 AM-1 PM
The Wheel of Life, April 5-6
Self-Image, April 13*
Power of the Natural World, April 19-20
Tibetan Yoga: Merging Movement, Breath, and Awareness, April 27 *
Challenging Negativity in the Workplace, May 4
Balancing Emotions through Tibetan Yoga, May 11*
Cutting off Negative Thoughts, May 18
* These workshops meet the qualifications for continuing education credit for MFT’s and LCSW’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider: Nyingma Institute #2513.
Typical Workshop Schedule
10:00 AM Instruction Session
11:30 AM Tea Break
12:00 PM Instruction Session
1:00 PM Vegetarian Lunch
2:00 PM Instruction Session
3:30 PM Tea Break
4:00 PM Instruction Session
4:45 PM Workshop Concludes
Learn more at nyingmainstitute.org
Day-by-Day Spring Course Listings
March 25 —May 31, 2013
Mondays
6:15-7:45 PM MED303 Advanced Meditation
8:00-9:30 PM NPS101 Reclaiming the Heart
8:00-9:30 PM KNR302 Advanced Kum Nye
Tuesdays
10:00-11:30 AM MED103 Beginning Meditation
6:15-7:45 PM: DHS104 A Precious Life
6:15-7:45 PM DHS207 Gateway to Knowledge
6:15-7:45 PM TSK103 Inviting Knowledge
8:00-9:30 PM SKM213 Pioneering Inwardly
8:00-9:30 PM KOF103 Penetrating the Dynamic of Pain
Wednesdays
10:00-11:30 AM MED203 Intermediate Meditation
6:15-7:45 PM KNR102 Beginning Kum Nye
6:15-7:45 PM TSK108 TSK: Perspectives and Practices
8:00-9:30 PM MED209 Shamatha and Vipashyana
Thursdays
1:00-2:30 PM NPS101 Reclaiming the Heart
6:15-7:45 PM DHS207 Gateway to Knowledge
6:15-7:45 PM MED103 Beginning Meditation
8:00-9:30 PM MED203 Intermediate Meditation
8:00-9:30 PM TIB103 Beginning Tibetan, Level III
Fridays
4:30-5:45 PM TIB301 Tibetan Tutorial
6:15-7:45 PM TIB203 Intermediate Tibetan, Level III
Sundays
10:00 AM-Noon KNR107 Sunday Morning Kum Nye
Learn more at nyingmainstitute.org
At the Nyingma Institute the Winter Term begins Jan 7, with an Open house on Jan 6 to introduce you to the Institute. December 21, 2012
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At the Nyingma Institute the Winter Term begins Jan 7, with an Open house on Jan 6 to introduce you to the Institute. Visit our website for more information.
Two new courses beginning this term:
Reclaiming the Heart – A Five-Month Nyingma Psychology Program. This five-month course provides insights and inner tools designed to help participants reclaim the authentic heart of their being. Each month focuses on a theme essential to this journey. Each class session offers introspective meditations and analysis along with key ideas from the Tibetan tradition.
Opening to the Dharma – A year-long journey into the teachings of the compassionate Buddha at the Nyingma Institute. This year-long series of classes initiated by our founder, Tarthang Tulku, to introduce key Buddhist ideas, teachings, and practices. Illuminating the teachings of the Buddha in a clear and systematic fashion, the series consists of four 10-week classes and one 4-week class. Class dates and topics are at our website.
The following is a “Day by Day” class listing, visit our site for details or come to our Open House to meet the faculty and get a feel for the space.
January 7—March 15
Mondays
6:15-7:45 PM NPR109 Medicine Buddha Practice (ends February 11)
6:15-7:45 PM MED302 Advanced Meditation
8:00-9:30 PM NPS101 Reclaiming the Heart
8:00-9:30 PM KNR301 Kum Nye: Transforming Breath, Energy, Feeling
Tuesdays
10:00-11:30 AM MED102 Beginning Meditation
6:15-7:45 PM DHS111 Birth of Enlightenment
6:15-7:45 PM DHS206 Resolve for Ultimate Goodness
6:15-7:45 PM TSK101 Experiencing the Dynamic of Time
8:00-9:30 PM SKM212 Exploring Mind’s Frameworks
8:00-9:30 PM KOF102 Awakening Knowledge
Wednesdays
10:00-11:30 AM MED202 Intermediate Meditation
6:15-7:45 PM KNR101 Kum Nye: Promoting Spaciousness
6:15-7:45 PM TSK108 TSK: Perspectives and Practices
8:00-9:30 PM MED209 Shamatha and Vipashyana
Thursdays
1:00-2:30 PM: NPS101 Reclaiming the Heart
6:15-7:45 PM DHS206 Resolve for Ultimate Goodness
6:15-7:45 PM MED102 Beginning Meditation
8:00-9:30 PM MED202 Intermediate Meditation
8:00-9:30 PM TIB102 Beginning Tibetan, Level II
Fridays
4:30-5:45 PM TIB301 Tibetan Tutorial
6:15-7:45 PM TIB202 Intermediate Tibetan, Level II
Saturdays
Day long workshop/retreats.
Sundays
9-9:45 Meditation
10:00 AM-Noon KNR107 Sunday Morning Kum Nye
5:00 Free participatory Chanting
6:00 Free Lecture
nyingmainstitute.org
(510) 809 1000
Peaceful and Inspiring Retreats at the Nyingma Institute October 16, 2012
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Peaceful and Inspiring Retreats at the Nyingma Institute
Cultivating Compassionate Love Retreat November 23-25
Friday 10 AM-9 PM
Saturday, 10 AM-5 PM
Sunday, 10 AM-3 PM
We can learn to love ourselves and others more deeply through actively cultivating compassionate love. This kind of love heals the painful divisions between living beings, allowing us to forgive others and to cleanse ourselves of ill-will. The retreat introduces gentle visualization, mantra, and meditation practices given by the Buddha.
$190 (nonresidential); $275 (residential).
Instructor: Olivia Hurd. For all levels of students.
Luminous Mind Retreat November 26 – December 1
Extend your Thanksgiving holiday with a week of meditation and visualization practices in the peaceful environment of the Nyingma Institute. This retreat focuses on teachings and practices that help reveal the clear, luminous nature of mind.
Cost: $370 (nonresidential); $600 (residential)
Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen, Olivia Hurd, Santosh Philip, and Ken McKeon
Prerequisite: One year of meditation experience and consent of instructors.
Tasting Relaxation Retreat December 27- January 1, 2013
Begins Thursday at 10 AM, concludes Tuesday at 3:30 PM
Tibetan Yoga (Kum Nye) practice opens the senses to feeling. This flow of feeling can loosen even chronic tension. In this retreat we learn to relax so deeply that we can “taste” the healing nectar of relaxation as it flows through body and mind. Gentle movement, breathing, and awareness practices help us to discover this relaxation. Includes the “Renewing and Refreshing the Senses” workshop on December 29.
$360 (nonresidential); $550 (residential). Instructors: Nyingma Faculty
Call to register: 510-809-1000
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Transforming Personal History October 16, 2012
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Transforming Personal History
November 3*
10 AM-4:45 PM
Includes Vegetarian Buffet Lunch
“In every time and place throughout history, people have been lifted out of their daily routines by moments of beauty when they sensed the wonder of being alive in this world.” Tarthang Tulku, Knowledge of Freedom.
Habits and patterns intertwined with painful past memories often prevent us from enjoying the freedom and beauty that the human body and mind offer. It is possible to skillfully touch these memories in a way that cuts through their power to restrict us. Practices from Knowledge of Freedom can help transform personal history from a source of pain into a wellspring of renewal.
Cost: $80. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen and Jack van der Meulen.
* This Workshop meets the qualifications for continuing education credit for MFT’s and LCSW’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider: Nyingma Institute #2513.
To Register, Call 510-809-1000
Tools for Troubled Times October 16, 2012
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Tools for Troubled Times
October 27
10 AM-4:45 PM
Vegetarian Buffet Lunch Included
The challenges of work and daily life sometimes trouble us so much that we seem to have no place to turn. This workshop presents innovative exercises and styles of interaction that provide the resources we need. Taking stock of our inner state, cutting through negativity, relaxing into open awareness and benefitting from our friends’ insights, we can stay balanced, learn from our difficulties and generate the strength we need to succeed.
Cost: $80.
Instructor: Barr Rosenberg.
Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Mastering Successful Work.
