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:
The inner critic is not the truth of who we are. It is a habit of mind we can change. Through clear instruction and guided meditation, this half-day workshop offers practical advice to loosen the grip of harsh self-talk and cultivate a calm, clear, courageous mind.
Everyone is welcome to join this quiet, reflective walk through the cemetery on Halloween. This will be a powerful opportunity to contemplate death and the meaning of life. A gentle, meaningful practice for deepening wisdom and appreciation of each moment. Free event.
Anyone can learn to meditate, really. It’s just a new skill!
By gently and patiently practicing, we can learn to let go of unhelpful tendencies to feel stressed or overwhelmed. We can take control of our thoughts and feelings to become more relaxed and focused
Relationships can be our greatest source of joy—and sometimes our deepest frustration. This class explores practical Kadampa Buddhist methods for keeping a peaceful mind when faced with criticism, conflict, or misunderstanding. |
500 6th St Hermosa Beach, CA
info@meditateinthesouthbay.org
310-848-9680
© 2026 Mahamudra KMC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
