Due to the pandemic, all my teachings are currently offered online. Complete listing is on the Calendar page. All times are Pacific unless noted otherwise.
Dharma Talks (join via Zoom link from the sangha's website)
- Tues, Jan 19th, 6:30-8:00pm -- Insight Meditation South Bay
- Wed, Jan 20th, 7:30-9:00pm -- San Jose Insight
- Wed, Mar 3rd, 7:00-8:30pm -- Coastside Vipassana
- Sun, June 20th, 11:00am-12:30pm -- SanghaLive teaching (meditation, talk, Q&A)
Daylongs:
- Sun, Jan 24th Half-Day (1:00-4:30pm): "Riding Well into 2021: Chariots in the Buddhist Teachings" -- What do responsive speech, not-self, and living an awakened life have in common? They are all associated with chariot similes in the Pali Canon. In this half-day of practice, we will practice with these themes through meditation, teachings, and discussion. Suitable for anyone seeking a new-year tune-up. [Through Insight Santa Cruz -- Zoom link]
Ongoing class:
- In This Very Life (sutta study), weekly on Friday online, 11am-noon, register by sending email. (No prior experience with Buddhist texts is required)
Series Classes and Retreats:
The Dharma Life
A Course in Integration for Experienced Students
With Kim Allen and Diana Clark
6 Thursdays:
January 7 - Feb 11, 2021
3-5pm Pacific
As we move into 2021, how is the Dharma coming alive for you? Does it infuse all aspects of your life? The wise and compassionate qualities that emerge through meditation can come alive in this very moment of experience -- if we allow that.
In this course, we will engage with inquiry and discussion, as well as individual practices, to deepen our ability to embody the Dharma. Drawing from classical Buddhist teachings and texts, we will discover how the uniqueness of our own experience intersects with these teachings.
Right now, what aspect of wisdom is present? To what degree do we sense tranquility, compassion, or concentration? Can these, or other Dharma qualities, inform our next action? In this way, the Dharma becomes more integrated across our life.
Sessions include meditation, teachings, inquiry, reflection, and readings.
Heart, Mind, Peace
"Sandwich" Retreat, compatible with working or with seclusion
Jan 31-Feb 6, 2021
In our daily life, we are often asked to think, plan, and organize. We may yearn for the heartfulness we feel in our spiritual practice. In the Dharma, heart and mind are intimately connected in what is called the citta (“heart-mind”) – we don’t have to choose. In this retreat, we will explore what lies deeper than both surface thought and surface emotion, seeing how the citta can pervade our life both on and off the cushion. Peace is possible.
Retreat Schedule (Mountain Time -- subtract one hour for Pacific time):
Sun, Jan 31 10:30am-4:00pm
Mon – Fri, Feb 1-5 7:00-8:00pm (plus there will be a morning practice to do on your own)
Sat, Feb 6 10:30am-4:00pm
To participate:
Yogis will attend both daylongs and at least three weeknights.
You are also welcome to sign up for an individual practice discussion (30 min) with Kim.
The Buddha's Last Days: Teachings from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta
Jan 30, Feb 2, 4, 6, 2021 (Sat-Tues-Thurs-Sat)
8:30-10:00am Pacific
A Sati Center class co-taught with Ying Chen, David Lorey, and Diana Clark
The final months of the Buddha’s ministry, and his death, are recounted in a rich and multilayered text of the Dīgha Nikāya called the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16). In this sutta, the Buddha is revealed as both a fragile elderly man and a powerful spiritual teacher who spends every last ounce of his energy conveying the way to liberation.
Please join us as we explore the story of the Buddha’s last days. Knowing that he would soon be separated from his followers, what did the Buddha emphasize? How did the sangha of his followers handle the departure of their teacher? And how might this support our own practice? The class will include dharmettes, guided meditations and small group discussions.
Please register to receive the Zoom link and readings. We will be sending some passages to read before the first class.
Although we will not be covering the entire sutta in this class, you may wish to read the full text on your own. Here are two versions of the sutta online:
- Bhikkhu Sujato translation
- Bhikkhu Anandajoti translation
- You may also wish to read the translation by Maurice Walshe in the book by Wisdom Publications
If you have any questions, please email practicecourses.saticenter@gmail.com.
Pali Canon Workshops:
These sessions are for people who wish to "go to the source" of Buddhist teachings. You will be given the information and support to begin or deepen your relationship with these ancient wisdom texts.
Level 1: Approaching the Pali Canon
- Sun, July 26, 2020, 9am-Noon Online [may be repeated in the future due to popularity.]
Level 2: [Coming soon]