Buddhism for Beginners

Curious about Buddhism? This weekly class presents basic teachings that you can immediately use to improve your work and relationships, cultivate inner peace and increase your enjoyment of daily life. Each hour-long class includes a meditation, a teaching, and time for discussion. 

Everyone is welcome!

Free for members / $10 non-members

Love: The Great Protector

Buddha called love the “Great Protector.” It is a mind that is fearless on behalf of ourself and others.

Our culture often confuses love with attachment—a craving based on what we can get from others. Love, according to Buddha, is completely different: it is not a fleeting high, but a stable mind that brings genuine connection and peace. 

Just by holding a loving thought, we feel a shift—from clutching to letting go, from tension to ease. Love is an action of the heart and an orientation of the mind. It is something we can train in that will produce countless benefits.

In this course, we'll connect to our pure potential and begin to build an unshakable love that will make our lives more joyful and improve our relationships. Join us as we experience the power of love.

Free for members / $10 non-members

High Diving Into the Stillness of Our Mind

This summer, we'll swan dive into the deep end of our mind in search of perfect stillness. Buddha said tranquil abiding is a state of unwavering concentration in which conceptual thoughts can no longer disturb our minds. In this five-week series, we’ll learn how to control our distracted, scattered minds so we can develop a clear perception of the most subtle meditation objects. Everyone into the pool!

This online-only class is available only to members. Please join using the Center’s member link. Zoom link will be sent to all members via email. Attendance is free and no registration is required. If you don’t get the email by the first of the month, please contact epc@brooklynmeditation.org

Meditate in Community

When we meditate and look inward, we paradoxically discover a natural feeling of warmth toward others. This is because the deeper we go within, the more interconnected we are. This indicates that our meditation practice isn't meant to be a solitary journey.

By meditating with others, we can experience the inspirational energy that arises from practicing in a group, deepen our understanding of the dharma through discussion, and cultivate a community based on deep and meaningful commonalities that will help us sustain our practice.

Each class will include two meditations, a dharma talk, and a facilitated discussion designed to deepen our understanding of the teachings and foster connection with others.

THIS MONTH: The world is so tumultuous, which is destabilizing and stressful. Fortunately, Buddha taught Lojong, a series of powerful methods that allow us to find inner peace in any situation. With these practices, we can face adversity with strength and even joy.

Free for members / $12 non-members / Optional Discussion after class 8:15-845pm!

Meditation Toolkit

Meditation gives rise to peace of mind, and when our mind are peaceful, we are happy. We will find relief from stress, anxiety and difficult relationships. This program has been carefully designed to support those who wish to develop and sustain an enduring meditation practice. In particular, we will study the “Lamrim,” a time-tested system of 21 meditations that help us, step-by-step, become wiser, more compassionate people. Discover the joy of meditation, and become a life-long meditator.

Free for members / $10 non-members

How to Maintain a Positive and Balanced Mind

When life gets difficult, we can feel out of control. Our mind can get so embroiled in outer chaos that we lose our inner peace. 

Buddhist meditation is a scientific method designed to help us develop and maintain a positive, balanced mind. Each and every one of us can train in developing inner peace. In this four-week series, we will learn how to create an inner sanctuary that keeps us calm and collected no matter what. This will give us confidence that will help us, our families and communities. Everyone is welcome!

Free for members / $15 non-members