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!

There will be no class on Memorial Day, May 26.

Free for members / $10 non-members

Letting Go of Anxiety

Everyone seems anxious these days. What can we do? Is it even possible to let go of these painful states of mind?  According to Buddha (and his time-tested methods), yes! It absolutely is. 

Instead of responding to life's uncertainties with hopelessness, despair or even panic, we can cultivate a peaceful, brave, loving mind—a place of inner refuge. 

This will help us respond confidently and creatively to situations that normally induce fear. We can reduce our anxiety and be of real benefit to others and our world.

Free for members / $10 non-members

“I Was a Prisoner On Break: My Life in Samsara.”

Buddha said, “Samsara is uninterrupted rebirth without freedom or control. There is not a single living being in samsara who has been free to choose his or her present form of life, or who enjoys freedom and control over his or her experiences in this life.” 

In this four-week course, we’ll explore what samsara is, why it really stinks, and how to escape forever. Get ready to shed your prison stripes and find pure, everlasting peace!

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: It’s a harrowing world out there, and we all need to find shelter from the storm. In this series, we’ll discover real refuge in the spiritual protections of blessings and community.

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

The CHANGE Lab: Shifting Habits with the Five Forces

While we all want to change, we often fail in our efforts to adopt better habits. We can feel worn down by inner conflict and negativity. 

Enter the Change Lab! The Buddhist meditations on the “Five Forces” are a step-by-step process for adopting better habits. We all have a quiet, inner strength. By tapping into this strength through the five forces of motivation, familiarity, creating merit, destruction and receiving blessings, we can overcome even our most stubborn negative habits.

Throughout the month, we will support each other in making real, sustainable change. All are welcome!

Free for members / $15 non-members