Buddhism for Beginners

Curious about Buddhism? This weekly class presents basic teachings that we can immediately use to improve our work and relationships, cultivate inner peace and increase our 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

Our culture often confuses love with attachment—a self-centered craving for what we want from others. Real love, according to Buddha, is completely different. It is not a fleeting high, but a stable mind that brings genuine connection and peace. 

Love is a mind we can cultivate within ourselves, and it naturally produces countless benefits. Simply by holding a loving thought, we feel a shift—from clutching to letting go, from tension to ease.

In this course, we'll connect to our pure potential and build an unshakable love that will improve our relationships and fill our daily lives with joy. Join us to discover the power of love.

Free for members / $10 non-members

Waking Up on the Dharma Side of the Bed

Since the moment we’re born, every new day is presented to us like a precious gift—but the mind we bring into that day is up to us. Grumpy? Anxious? Energized? We have a choice!

The dharma offers many ways of waking and preparing for a new day that set us up for happiness, success and even a little spiritual adventure. In this four-week course, we’ll let Buddha set our alarm clock for a meaningful, purpose-driven beginning to each spanking fresh day. No snooze buttons allowed. (Okay, one.)

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

Buddhist Book Club

Looking for a deeper understanding of Buddha's teachings that speaks directly to the heart? Join us Wednesday evenings as we study The Mirror of Dharma, the final book written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. It covers the entire Lamrim—a series of meditations that guide us along the path to enlightenment—along with essential Buddhist teachings such as how to meditate and how to cultivate compassion. 

Each week is a self-contained class focusing on one section, so feel free to join any time. However, it is helpful to attend consistently so you can enjoy a comprehensive understanding of the book. By engaging in deep study of a text, we can profoundly improve our meditation practice and daily life.

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

Friday Night In

We are always looking to go “out”, but happiness can only be found “within”. When we realize this truth, we can relax, knowing we can find inner peace whenever we want. 

Spend time with us on Friday evenings for an alternative getaway. Each night we will offer a simple, short teaching and meditation. Afterwards, we can relax and hang out with snacks. Everyone is welcome!

Free for members / $5 non-members

Meditation Toolkit

Meditation gives rise to peace of mind, and when our minds are peaceful, we are happy. Through our practice, 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 lifelong meditator.

Free for members / $10 non-members

Total Responsibility, Total Freedom!

The more we take responsibility for our experience, the more freedom we enjoy. As long as we live at odds with life and how we see things, we live in a state of friction and stagnation.

Understanding how our mind works allows us to see the true source of our feelings and emotions. With this deep understanding, we can take responsibility for what is coming from within and let go of what’s beyond our control. As a result, we stay clear-headed and balanced, drop unnecessary worry and focus our energy on solutions. Everyone welcome!

Free for members / $15 non-members