The Tibetan word for retreat is ‘tsam’, which means ‘stop’ or ‘make a break’. This indicates we must stop, or make a break from, our normal activities and concentrate on a particular spiritual practice. The most important thing to stop during retreat is our distractions—to stop our busy mind.
At Kadampa Meditation Center, we offer a variety of retreats to give the practitioner an opportunity to ‘take a break’ from normal activities and a distracted mind.
These retreats are offered throughout the year at the center and provide an opportunity to gain retreat experience in a quiet, peaceful environment. We offer meditation retreats that range from half-day retreats on Saturdays, to full weekends, to away retreats during which we stay at a retreat center in the mountains. These relaxing and profound retreats help us create the space to more deeply contemplate and meditate on specific teachings.
Preliminary Guide Retreats are held every year at the center. They are usually a week in length, four sessions a day, and allow people to gain deeper experience of a particular practice. They are an integral part of the Teacher Training Program (TTP), but are also open to everyone. You may attend any number of sessions. Preliminary Guide Retreats include the following:
Everyone experiences challenges with craving and attachment, for some this can become a major problem. Buddha taught ways to overcome compulsive ways of thinking and acting. This talk will provide a brief introduction to these powerful teachings. Join us for a community gathering with vegetarian appetizers and mocktails to start the evening.
Buddha's teachings on karma explain the relationship between our mind, our actions, and our experiences. Understanding how karma functions puts us in control of our life. We can learn to transform, purify, and avoid negativity, thereby creating the lasting happiness we wish for.
The Life of Buddha is a special dramatic presentation, inspired by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and his teachings, that visually captures the essence of Buddha Shakyamuni’s life. Based on the twelve principal deeds of Buddha, it reveals in a clear and moving way the essential characteristics of a spiritual life.
Join us for movie, snacks and share this meaningful story with sangha friends.
Think of your mind as being like the sky—vast and unobstructed—and of all your thoughts and mental busyness as being like clouds. Learn how to unveil and meditate on the clarity, luminosity, and natural purity of our own mind, coming to rest in a deeply peaceful state of awareness.
500 6th St Hermosa Beach, CA
info@meditateinthesouthbay.org
310-848-9680
© 2023 Mahamudra KMC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
