Winter 2010 newsletter
Here's what is happening at Tara Center January through March 2010:
New Year's Candlelight Tara Chanting
Join us at 7 pm Dec. 31 for chanted prayers to Arya Tara, making requests for her protection and blessings in 2010, followed by a dessert extravaganza. Bring your friends and favorite dessert!
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Mountain Retreat - January 8-10
“If you realize your own mind you will attain enlightenment. Do not seek enlightenment elsewhere.” -Buddha
Get away from it all and immerse yourself in a weekend of meditations on the nature on the mind. Gen Kelsang Lingpur of Tara Mahayana Buddhist Center and Kadam Michelle Gauthier of Clear Light Buddhist Center will explain the profound Mahamudra teachings and meditations leading to deeper levels of inner peace.
Leave behind all your distractions and join us January 8-10 for a blissful weekend of meditations on the nature of the mind. We can gain some deep experience of meditation and discover the peace and happiness that lies within.
Location: Cherry Valley Ranch, Oracle, Arizona (across from the entrance to Oracle State Park
Cost: $125 per person, which includes six meals, rustic dormitory accommodations, and all retreat sessions. Registration info here.
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Join your spiritual family!
Kadampa Meditation Center-New Mexico will host the fifth annual Southwest Dharma Celebration in Albuquerque. Inspired by Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, renowned Buddhist Master and founder of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), this Celebration is a wonderful opportunity for people throughout the region to gather together to receive uplifting teachings and meet like-minded friends.
National Spiritual Director Gen-la Dekyong will give the empowerment of Wisdom Buddha Manjushri and teachings on the practice. Register here.
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Classes For Everyone This Winter
"The Keys to Happiness" General Program classes open to all
Mondays, 4:30 pm, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Green Valley, beginning January 4 with Gen Kelsang Lingpur
Wednesdays, 6:30 pm, A Rich Experience, 6814 N Oracle Rd, beginning January 13 with Gen Kelsang Lingpur
Thursdays, 7 pm, Tara Center, 1701 E. Miles Street, beginning January 7 with Gen Kelsang Lingpur
Fridays, 6:30 pm, Ada Pierce McCormick Library, 1401 E. First Street, beginning January 29 with Jacquie Gregor
$10 per class, or 5-class card for $40. No registration required.
Details and topics here.
Meditations For World Peace
Sundays, 10 am (new time in January), Tara Center, 1701 E. Miles Street, with Gen Kelsang Lingpur. $5. Details here.
Dharma for Families
Last Saturday of each month - Jan. 30, Feb. 27, Mar. 27 - 10 am with Jacquie Gregor and Amy Conway
After engaging in short prayers, meditations and stories for world peace together, children learn about keeping a peaceful heart in a separate class emphasizing patience and loving kindness. Meanwhile parents enjoy a teaching and engage in quiet contemplation in the temple. The children rejoin their parents for final prayers and dedications. $10 per family
Dharma for Teens
Saturdays beginning Jan. 16, 2 pm, with Hazel Colditz
Teens today have more stressful and complicated lives than perhaps at any time in the past. By learning about their minds. teens can begin to distinguish harmful states of mind from beneficial states. In this way they can gain some control over their minds and their lives, find inspiring solutions to their daily problems, cope more easily with difficult situations and begin to realize their human potential.Each class consists of guided meditations, a short talk and an opportunity for discussion and questions. Recommended for ages 12-16. Cost: $5
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Cleaning Away the Negative - Purification Practice course
Friday, March 5, 6-9 pm $15
Often we feel trapped by the experiences we have had in the past. Our old hurts, feelings of betrayal, and resentments condition our present relationships and ways of acting. But our past is not fixed, and there is no need for us to feel stuck. Using Buddha’s teachings on karma and purification, Gen Lingpur will show how we can heal the wounds of the past, enabling us to live joyfully and creatively in the present, truly making the most of our lives.
Vajrasattva Purification Retreat - March 6 -12
Vajrasattva is the Buddha of purification. During this retreat we have the opportunity to purify our negativity by engaging in the purification practices of Buddha Vajrasattva. Through this practice we can remove both the causes of our future suffering and obstacles to our spiritual practice.
Through purifying our negativity our mind will gradually become happier and happier, our good qualities will increase, and all our mental and physical problems will gradually disappear.
Saturday/Sunday:
Session 1. 7:00- 8:30AM
Session 2. 10:00-11:30AM (no 10 am session on Sunday)
Session 3. 4:00-5.30PM
Session 4. 7:00- 8.30PM
$3.00 per session for non-members
Gen Lingpur will continue on retreat Monday through Friday. If you wish to join her, call the Center at 296-8626 for times.
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Sangha Social Evenings
Join us for a delicious light vegetarian supper, some good Dharma conversation, and a Kadampa teaching or video. $15
Next: Valentine Extravaganza, Saturday, Feb. 13, 6 pm