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:
Feeling mentally cluttered or overwhelmed? Let go of the noise and reconnect with your inner peace. Join us for an evening of guided meditation and practical teachings designed to help you release negative thoughts and create space for clarity and positivity. Enjoy nourishing food, refreshing mocktails, and uplifting, practical advice you can start applying right away.
Special Saturday Class
Take Control of Your Mind
Anyone can learn to meditate, really. We’re usually just so busy and distracted that it can be hard to believe. But it is possible to gradually improve our ability to quiet and calm our mind through practicing in meditation. It’s just a new skill!
On June 4, Turning the Wheel of Dharma Day, we will celebrate the birthday of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. With minds of rejoicing and gratitude, we will offer him our faith by reciting the special prayer, Request to the Holy Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso from His Faithful Disciples.
Community FUNdraiser
Wishing to grow our Center and help more people in our area find inner peace, join us for a special FUNdraising evening of amazing food, musical performances — including our very own Gavin Heaney, and surprise guests! It will be a lively gathering with our spiritual friends, our Sangha. Also, you’ll have the opportunity to support the Center materially by participating in the silent auction with an amazing array of items and unique services.
Everyone experiences the pain associated with craving and attachment, and many people suffer from some type of addiction. Through exploring Buddha’s profound teachings and meditations we can learn how to overcome compulsive ways of thinking and acting that compel us to seek satisfaction from deceptive sources. Whether you struggle with food, drugs, social media, relationships, or any form of addictive behavior, this retreat will help you gain insight into these pervasive and painful mental habits.
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.
500 6th St Hermosa Beach, CA
info@meditateinthesouthbay.org
310-848-9680
© 2023 Mahamudra KMC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
