Author Archives: Max

June Sangha Events

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Lama Adam Berner, Lama Karma Drodhul, Lama Kathy Wesley

Dear Dharma family,

Lama Kathy, Lama Karma, and Lama Adam will continue to teach at our Sangha on Thursdays, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM PST via Zoom. Invites will be sent on the day of each event.

June 2 | Chenrezig Practice 
June 9 | Lama Kathy | The Whispered Lineage 
June 16 | Lama Karma | Guided practice
June 23 |  Lama Adam | The Three Commitments: Living the Dream
June 30 | Dharma Discussion

Donations for Lama Adam, Lama Karma, or Lama Kathy

Looking forward to seeing you all.Karmapa Khyenno!Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC 
ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084

Or to call from your phone (any phone works, no smartphone needed):
+1 669 900 6833 
Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084
SM KTC YouTube Channel with previous events
Inspirational Quote:
Even in the greatest yogi, sorrow and joy still arise just as before. The difference between an ordinary person and the yogi is how they view their emotions and react to them.

An ordinary person will instinctively accept or reject them, and so arouse the attachment or aversion that will result in the accumulation of negative karma.

A yogi, however, perceives everything that rises in its natural, pristine state, without allowing grasping to enter his perception.
Rigpa Glimpse of the Day

Teaching Link:
Mingyur Rinpoche: Meditating with Emotions

May

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Lama Adam Berner, Lama Karma Drodhul, Lama Kathy Wesley

May events

Please join us this month Every Thursday from 6:30 – 8:30 PM PST via Zoom.
Invites will be sent on the day of each event.

  • May 5 | Chenrezig Practice | Tibetan and English
  • May 12 | Lama Kathy | The “Whispered Lineage” – Kagyu Lineage, Teachers, and Practices.
  • May 19 | Lama Adam | The Three Commitments: Living the Dream
  • May 26 | Lama Karma | Guided practice

Donations for Lama Adam, Lama Karma, or Lama Kathy

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Karmapa Khyenno!

Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC

April Sangha Events

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Lama Adam Berner, Lama Karma Drodhul, Lama Kathy Wesley

Please join us this month Every Thursday from 6:30 – 8:30 PM PST via Zoom.
Invites will be sent on the day of each event.

April 7 | Chenrezig Practice | Tibetan and English
April 14 | Lama Kathy | 6 Perfections
 April 21 | Lama Adam | Meeting Interconnectedness with Compassion
April 28 | Lama Karma | Guided practice

Lama Kathy will continue the 6 Perfections taught from Shantideva’s Way of the Bodhisattva, and Lama Karma will be leading us in a practice session.
Lama Adam Berner will continue to teach on Meeting Interconnectedness with Compassion. 

Donations for Lama Adam, Lama Karma, or Lama Kathy

Looking forward to seeing you all.Karmapa Khyenno!Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC 
ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084

Or to call from your phone (any phone works, no smartphone needed):
+1 669 900 6833 
Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084
SM KTC YouTube Channel with previous events
Inspirational Quote:
The most essential point of the meditation posture is to keep the back straight, like “an arrow” or “a pile of golden coins.” The “inner energy,” or prana , will then flow easily through the subtle channels of the body, and your mind will find its true state of rest. Don’t force anything. The lower part of the spine has a natural curve; it should be relaxed but upright. Your head should be balanced comfortably on your neck. It is your shoulders and the upper part of your torso that carry the strength and grace of the posture, and they should be held in strong poise, but without any tension.

Sit with your legs crossed. You do not have to sit in the “full-lotus” posture, which is emphasized more in advanced yoga practice. The crossed legs express the unity of life and death, good and bad, skillful means and wisdom, masculine and feminine principles, samsara and nirvana, and the humor of nonduality. Rest your hands comfortably covering your knees. This is called the “mind in comfort and ease” posture. If you prefer to sit on a chair, keep your legs relaxed, and be sure always to keep your back straight.
Rigpa Glimpse of the Day

Teaching Link:
Mingyur Rinpoche: How to Do Meditation while Working
 

March events

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Lama Adam Berner, Lama Karma Drodhul, Lama Kathy Wesley

Please join us this month Every Thursday from 6:30 – 8:30 PM via Zoom (invites will be sent on the day of each event):

March 3 | Chenrezig Practice | Tibetan and English
March 10 | Lama Kathy | 6 Perfections 5/6
March 17 | Dharma Discussion
March 24 | Lama Adam | Meeting Interconnectedness with Compassion
March 31 | Lama Karma | Guided practice

Lama Kathy will continue the 6 Perfections taught from Shantideva’s Way of the Bodhisattva, and Lama Karma will be leading us in a practice session.
Lama Adam Berner will continue to teach on Meeting Interconnectedness with Compassion. 

Donations for Lama Adam, Lama Karma, or Lama Kathy

Looking forward to seeing you all.Karmapa Khyenno!Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC 
ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084

Or to call from your phone (any phone works, no smartphone needed):
+1 669 900 6833 
Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084
SM KTC YouTube Channel with previous events
Inspirational Quote:
The teachings on mind training, or lojong, say that we should remember that all sentient beings have to experience suffering. We think, “May this suffering not happen to any other sentient being. May all of it ripen on me.” We do the visualization of tonglen, of sending and taking, and through this create imprints in our mind. If we do this practice in this life and create strong imprints, in the bardo they will awaken and lead us to a good rebirth. Such imprints will also awaken in the next life and we will become someone who practices the Dharma more and more.
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Teaching Link:
Mingyur Rinpoche: Can Meditation Be Dangerous?
 

Happy New Year & Lama Kathy + Lama Karma

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Happy new year of the Tiger! We wish you all health, happiness, and prosperity for this coming year and hope you can all join us this year with many new events and teachings coming up, hopefully back in person soon too!

Starting on January 13, we will have a new class with Lama Kathy on the 6 Perfections taught from Shantideva’s Way of the Bodhisattva. 
You can order the book HERE.
The class will go for three sessions every second Thursday of the month, and we will record them all for later viewing on our Youtube channel HERE.

January 20 and 27, Lama Karma will give us an explanation of the Mahajana Sojong Vows. His first teaching with the reading transmission is HERE.

Donations for Lama Kathy and/or Lama Karma

Looking forward to seeing you all.Karmapa Khyenno!
Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC 
January 6
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Chenrezig Practice Tibetan and English
January 13
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Kathy  6 Perfections 1/2 
January 20
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Karma  Mahajana Sojong 2
January 27
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Karma  Mahajana Sojong 3
ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084

Or to call from your phone (any phone works, no smartphone needed):
+1 669 900 6833 
Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084
SM KTC YouTube Channel with previous events
Inspirational Quote: Once you have the View, although the delusory perceptions of samsara may arise in your mind, you will be like the sky; when a rainbow appears in front of it, it’s not particularly flattered, and when the clouds appear it’s not particularly disappointed either. There is a deep sense of contentment. You chuckle from inside as you see the facade of samsara and nirvana; the View will keep you constantly amused, with a little inner smile bubbling away all the time.
DILGO KHYENTSE RINPOCHE

Teaching Link:
Mingyur Rinpoche: Bringing Awareness into the Holiday Season
 

Virtual Sangha and Lama Kathy/Lama Karma Dec

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Greetings Dharma Friends,

Lama Kathy will answer all your questions regarding the Aspiration for Mahamudra this Thursday, December 2.
On December 9, Lama Karma will bestow the reading transmission for the Sojong Vows, a simple but very beneficial practice to take a vow for one day.

Donations for Lama Kathy and/or Lama Karma

Looking forward to seeing you all.Karmapa Khyenno!
Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC 
December 2
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Kathy  Aspiration for Mahamudra Q&A 
December 9
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Karma  Sojong Vows reading transmission 
December 16
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Debra Ann Robinson  Meditation instruction
ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084

Or to call from your phone (any phone works, no smartphone needed):
+1 669 900 6833 
Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084
SM KTC YouTube Channel with previous events
Inspirational Quote:
When practicing and studying, it’s important to have a motivation that is free from the afflictions. Among the various pure motivations, the most important is the wish to help ourselves and others—the vast motivation of the Mahayana. This means acting for the sake of all our former mothers, all sentient beings who are as limitless as space. You may already have faith, respect, excitement about the Dharma, and the pure motivation of bodhicitta. Still, it is good to recall and reinforce that motivation from time to time. It helps your mind to go toward the Dharma, the Dharma to become the path, and the path to dispel confusion.
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Teaching Link:
Mingyur Rinpoche: How Meditation Changes the Brain
 
BODHISATTVA IN TRAINING T-SHIRT 
Support the rebuilding of Columbus KTC

Each design is individually handprinted on high-quality fair trade cotton Shirts.
On the back is the Mantra “OM MANI PEME HUNG”. 
20$ per shirt goes directly to the rebuilding fund.

Order them here: BODHI TEE

May all beings benefit!

Lama Kathy teaching on the Aspiration for Mahamudra, and Khenpo Karma Tenkyong

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Greetings Dharma Friends,

We will continue two sessions with Lama Kathy teaching on the Aspiration for Mahamudra, November 4 and 18, and Khenpo Karma Tenkyong will lead a guided meditation on November 11.

Donations for Lama Kathy and/or Khenpo Tenkyong

Looking forward to seeing you all.Karmapa Khyenno!
Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC 
November 4
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Kathy  Aspiration for Mahamurda 7 
November 11
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Khenpo Tenkyong  Guided meditation 
November 18
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Kathy Aspiration for Mahamurda 8
ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084

Or to call from your phone (any phone works, no smartphone needed):
+1 669 900 6833 
Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084
SM KTC YouTube Channel with previous events
Inspirational Quote:
When you meditate, breathe naturally, just as you always do.

Focus your awareness lightly on the outbreath. When you breathe out, just flow out with the outbreath. Each time you breathe out, you are letting go and releasing all your grasping. Imagine your breath dissolving into the all-pervading expanse of truth.

Each time you breathe out, and before you breathe in again, you will find that there is a natural gap, as your grasping dissolves.

Rest in that gap, in that open space. And when, naturally, you breathe in, don’t focus especially on the inbreath but go on resting your mind in the gap that has opened up.
Rigpa Glimpse of the Day

Teaching Link:
Mingyur Rinpoche: Taking the Bodhisattva Vow

Lama Kathy and Khenpo Tenkyong

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Greetings Dharma Friends,

This month we will continue two sessions with Lama Kathy‘s teaching on the Aspiration for Mahamudra, September 9 and 23, and Khenpo Karma Tenkyong will lead a guided meditation on September 2.

Donations for Lama Kathy and/or Khenpo Tenkyong

We look forward to seeing all of you.

Karmapa Chenno!
Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC  
September 2
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Khenpo Tenkyong Chenrezig Practice
September 9
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Kathy  Aspiration for Mahamudra 3 
September 16
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Debra Ann Robinson  Meditation instruction 
September 23
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Kathy Aspiration for Mahamudra 4
September 30
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Chenrezig Practice
ZOOM 
credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084

Or to call from your phone (any phone works, no smartphone needed):
+1 669 900 6833 
Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084
SM KTC YouTube Channel with previous events
Inspirational Quote:
The method to overcome fear is believing in the presence of enlightened beings. With that belief, you think you are constantly protected by them from any causes of fire, flood, earthquake, etc. With such belief, one can overcome fear. On the contrary, anger is no protection from fear, rather it brings on even greater fear, pain, and frustration.
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Teaching Link:
Mingyur Rinpoche: The Story of Shantideva
 

Aspiration for Mahamudra with Lama Kathy, August

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Greetings Dharma Friends,
Due to the increase in Corona Virus and its variant cases rising, we have decided to continue with Virtual Sangha only until further notice. 

For August we are pleased to announce Lama Kathy joining us two Thursdays a month for a series of 6 teachings, starting August 12 to October 28 on the Aspiration for Mahamudra.
Free PDF Version of text
Buy the book from Amazon

Lama Karma Drodhul will be leading Chenrezig Practice on August 5.

Donations for Lama Kathy and/or Lama Karma

We look forward to seeing all of you.
Karmapa Chenno!
Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC 
August 5
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Karma Chenrezig Practice
August 12
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Kathy  Aspiration for Mahamudra 1 
August 19
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Debra Ann Robinson  Meditation instruction 
August 26
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Kathy Aspiration for Mahamudra 2
ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084

Or to call from your phone (any phone works, no smartphone needed):
+1 669 900 6833 
Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084
SM KTC YouTube Channel with previous events
Inspirational Quote:
Though different forms are perceived, they are in essence empty; 
yet in the emptiness one perceives forms.

Though different sounds are heard, they are empty; 
yet in the emptiness one perceives sounds.

Also different thoughts arise; they are empty, 
yet in the emptiness one perceives thoughts.
DUDJOM RINPOCHE

Teaching Link:
Mingyur Rinpoche: Compassionate Wisdom
 

July Sangha Events

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Dear Dharma Friends,We are pleased to announce that we will return to our in-person Sangha meetings at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90026, Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30PST. Lama Karma will be teaching (via Zoom) on July 22. We will continue with Chenrezig practice(Tibetan and English), Debra Ann’s meditation class, and the study of 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.  Please join us in opening up our shrine and practicing together after a year of virtual Sangha on July 1. All meetings will have a Zoom link for anyone wanting to join us virtually.  Hope to see you all,Karmapa Chenno!Your Dharma Family at Santa Monica KTC
July 1
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva + sitting meditation
July 8
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Short Chenrezig  and Dharma discussion 
July 15
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Debra Ann Robinson  Meditation instruction 
July 22
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Lama Karma Virtual teaching
June 29
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Chenrezig Practice Tibetan and English
ZOOM credentials for our regular sessions will remain the same:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204694084

Or to call from your phone (any phone works, no smartphone needed):
+1 669 900 6833 
Meeting ID: 872 0469 4084
SM KTC YouTube Channel with previous events
Inspirational Quote:All the yidams and deities practiced in meditation have the same fundamental nature and are utterly pure. Nevertheless, they have different appearances, which reflect the different activities that they embody and engage in. These different activities are primarily determined by the individual aspirations they made at the time they initially generated bodhicitta. It is primarily for this reason that deities manifest varied appearances. Sometimes they appear as male in which case they primarily embody upaya or method; sometimes appearing as female, in which case they primarily embody prajna or wisdom; sometimes they appear as peaceful and sometimes as wrathful, and so on. In the case of the Medicine Buddha, his primary motivation was to remove all the suffering of beings caused by the imbalance of the elements, which we know as mental and physical illness.
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Teaching Link:
Mingyur Rinpoche: The Way of the Bodhisattva