Meditation Events in Florida

Transforming Attachments Day Course in Atlantic Beach

Antidotes to the inner poison that keeps us dissatisfied
with Resident Teacher Carol Lutker
Sunday, May 3rd, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

How to recognize and transform craving or attachment into a mind of love and contentment. Taming the wild consumer within, and finding the true source of satisfaction. Everyone welcome!

Cost
$35 ($25 students/limited income) $25 discount for monthly sponsors. includes lunch.

Maitreya Kadampa Buddhist Center, 85 Sailfish Dr, Atlantic Beach FL 32233

To register, please call 904.222.8531 or email info@MeditationInJacksonville.org.

Awakening the Buddha Within in Fort Lauderdale

Discovering Happiness Through Compassion
with Kadam Nick Gillespie
Sunday, May 3rd, 9:30am – 2:00pm

In this course, Kadam Nick Gillespie will teach special meditations on universal compassion, the supremely positive mind that can help us transform our habitual self-cherishing mind into one that genuinely cherishes others.  Eventually we reach the point where we can transform any situation, however unpleasant, into a positive experience and an opportunity to make progress in our spiritual development.  In this way we discover our Buddha nature, our limitless potential for positivity and happiness.

Cost
$35 ($20 students/limited income) and includes a delicious vegetarian lunch! Center Sponsors receive a $25 discount off the regular course price.

Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 140 W Prospect Rod, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309.  Please visit our website to pre-register: http://www.meditationinfortlauderdale.org/day-courses

Happiness From a Different Source Day Course in Orlando

Inspired Solutions for Difficult Times
with Resident Teacher Ricc Bishop
Sunday, May 3rd, 9:30am to 2:00pm

Finally, Something we can rely on.

When times get tough and anxious we need something that we can really rely upon. In Buddha’s teachings on the nature of suffering, the impermanence of all phenomema, and the mind’s ability to experience complete freedom and bliss, we find perfect instructions on transforming adversity into strength and happiness. These teachings have beeen used for thousands of years by people of different countries and different faiths to find true mental freedom and inner peace. All are welcome.

Cost
Requested donation is $35 ($20 students and limited income) and includes a delicious vegetarian lunch. Center Sponsors receive a $25 discount off the regular course price. Note: No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Vajrapani Buddhist Center 55 W Colonial Drive, Orlando (407) 245-7574

You don’t have to pay until the day of the event but please RSVP now so that we can plan the delicious Lunch! RSVP at this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wHKiWuXHEIH9tvBCC_2fiVaw_3d_3d

Transforming Attachment Day Course in Atlantic Beach (Jacksonville)

How to recognize and transform that painful “sticky”feeling
with Resident Teacher Carol Lutker
Sunday, May 3rd, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

We are all faced with many cravings or attachments: to things, people, situations, our views, reputation, body – all telling us we need something in order to be happy. In this course we will examine Buddha’s teachings on the origins of these uncomfortable feelings and explore how to find the lasting happiness we all seek.

Everyone is welcome – no previous experience necessary.

Cost
$35 ($25 students/limited income) includes lunch.

Maitreya Kadampa Buddhist Center, 85 Sailfish Dr, Atlantic Beach FL 32233

To Register, please call 904.222.8531 or email info@MeditationInJacksonville.org

Seeing Kindness Day Course with Gen-la Dekyong in Sarasota

A Day Course at KMC Florida in Sarasota
with National Spiritual Director Gen-la Dekyong
Sunday, May 10th, 10:00am – 4:30pm

“Wherever we look we find only the kindness of others.” – Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

We all want to be kind and loving people, but find it hard to see others in positive ways, especially our close family and friends. We often struggle with discouragement and dissatisfaction, seeing our self and our life as a representation of others inattentiveness and neglect.

In order to conquer these feelings we need to unlock our heart. Seeing the kindness of others is the best way to do this and begin to develop our loving nature. In Buddha’s teachings on love he explains profound and practical methods to change our view. By using our wisdom eyes to see our mother as kind, we lay the foundation for a deep, genuine and lasting love for everyone we meet.

For those who wish there will be a Ceremony to take or renew the Bodhisattva Vows with Gen-la Dekyong after the day course.

For more information visit www.MeditationInSarasota.org

KMC Florida, 2016 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234. Please call (941) 373-1600 to pre-register, or email info@MeditationInSarasota.org

International Spring Festival 2009 in Ulverston, UK

The Empowerment and Commentary to the Practice of Buddha Maitreya
with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Friday, May 22nd to Monday, May 25th

Maitreya is the manifestation of the realization of the loving-kindness of all the Buddhas.
His function is to guide us along the stages of the path to enlightenment, Lamrim.
By relying upon Buddha Maitreya with faith we will receive his special care, and he will bestow upon us the realizations of Kadam Lamrim through which we can solve our own and others’ problems and fulfil our own and others’ wishes.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang will grant the empowerment of Buddha Maitreya on Saturday May 23. Receiving this empowerment directly connects us with Buddha Maitreya, giving us the inspiration and confidence to progress successfully on the path to enlightenment.

On the following two days, Venerable Geshe Kelsang will give a commentary to the practice of Buddha Maitreya showing how we can continue to receive this special inspiration in our daily life.

Please see the Festival Website for more information.

Joyful Land Post Festival Retreat in Sarasota

The Practice of Buddha Maitreya
with guest teacher, Kadam Nick Gillespie
Friday, June 5th to Saturday, June 6th

In this retreat we will try to get personal experience of the practice of Buddha Maitreya, based on Geshe Kelsang’s UK Spring Festival teachings.

Everyone is welcome to join in this retreat!

Kadampa Meditation Center, 2016 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234. To pre-register please call (941) 373-1600 or email info@MeditationInSarasota.org

Shelter From the Storm in Orlando

Refuge Ceremony and Teachings on Inner Peace
with Resident Teacher Ricc Bishop
Sunday, June 7th, 9:30am to 2:00pm

When we find Refuge we discover a life that is free from fear. By going for refuge in Buddha as the Spiritual Guide, in his Dharma which has the power to free our mind from all distress, and in Sangha the spiritual community – we become an inner being and finally discover true mental freedom. For some, Refuge Day is an opportunity to receive profound blessings and a chance to begin exploring the richness of this very special spiritual tradition. For others, Refuge Day is a turning point in their lives where they embrace Buddha’s teachings and start traveling the spiritual path as a Buddhist. Also, for those who have attended this day before, it is a chance to receive these blessings once again, and to renew their commitment to the path they have chosen.

Cost
Requested Donation is $35 ($20 students/limited income) and includes a delicious vegetarian lunch! Center Sponsors receive a $25 discount off the requested donation. Note that no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Vajrapani Kadampa Buddhist Center
55 W Colonial Drive Orlando 32801

Click here to RSVP

A Peaceful Passing: Blessing Empowerment of Avalokiteshvara in Safety Harbor

Empowerment and Teachings at Parbawatiya Buddhist Center
with Resident Teacher Kelsang Chokyan
Friday, June 12th to Saturday, June 13th

We understand that throughout this world millions of humans and billions of animals die every day from so many different causes. When we lose a loved one, it can be a difficult and confusing time. Buddha taught a very special practice, called Transference of Consciousness, which gives us the ability to guide the deceased into a higher state of happiness. One of the kindest actions we can perform is to help others in their time of death. When we benefit others out of compassion in this way, our own heart is healed and we experience a profound inner peace.

In the empowerment ceremony, we will receive the powerful blessings of the Buddha of compassion, Avalokiteshvara, which will awaken our compassionate heart and give us great ability to benefit others. In this way, we can make our life very meaningful. Everyone is welcome to join us in this special event, regardless of previous experience.

Schedule

Friday June 12th
7:00pm Teaching 1

Saturday June 13th
9:30am Registration
10:00am Empowerment Ceremony
12:00pm Lunch
2:00pm Teaching 2
3:30pm Refreshments
4:00pm Powa Ceremony

Visit www.MeditationInTampaBay.org for more information.

Held Tight by the Heart of Buddha: Fearless and Free in Fort Myers

A Buddhist Refuge Course
with Resident Teacher JoAnn Lawrence
Saturday, June 20th, 9:00am – 2:00pm

By going for refuge in Buddha as the Spiritual Guide, in his Dharma teachings, sole medicine for the mind, and in Sangha the spiritual community – we become an inner being and finally discover true mental freedom. For some, Refuge Day is an opportunity to receive profound blessings and a chance to begin exploring the richness of this very special spiritual tradition. For others, Refuge Day is a turning point in their lives where they embrace Buddha’s teachings and start traveling the spiritual path as a Buddhist. Also, for those who have attended this day before, it is a chance to receive these blessings once again, and to renew their Refuge vows.

Cost
Requested Donation is $35 ($25 Center sponsors, students/limited income) and includes a delicious vegetarian lunch! Note that no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Email info@meditationinfortmyers.org for more information.

Shelter from the Storm in Sarasota

Refuge Course with Mahayana Refuge Ceremony
with Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Demo
Sunday, June 21st, 10:00am – 2:00pm

Buddha taught that all living beings have the fundamental wish to be happy and avoid suffering. Yet, often the things we turn to have no power to fulfill these wishes.

In this workshop we’ll learn how to fulfill these wishes by taking refuge in the Three Jewels – Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

This course is followed by a Refuge Retreat:
June 22 – 27 for anyone who wishes to attend.

Cost
$30

Kadampa Meditation Center Florida, 2016 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234 Please call (941) 373-1600 to pre-register, or email info@MeditationInSarasota.org

International Summer Festival 2009 in Ulverston, UK

with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Friday, July 24th to Saturday, August 8th

The Summer Festival is a special spiritual holiday when we receive extensive teachings from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

During the first six days of this, the eighteenth, Summer Festival, Venerable Geshe Kelsang will grant the blessing empowerment of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, and give teachings on Lamrim, the stages of the path to enlightenment.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang will grant the Dorje Shugden empowerment on Saturday July 25th and then give two days of Lamrim teachings. This will be followed by a two-day meditation retreat based on these teachings.

This empowerment and teachings are open to everyone. Thursday July 30th is a free day giving an opportunity to explore the local Lake District countryside, or simply relax. Coach trips are arranged for verseas visitors, which include a short walk, a picnic lunch and a boat trip.

Over the next three days, Venerable Geshe Kelsang will grant the Highest Yoga Tantra empowerments of Heruka Body Mandala and Vajrayogini. These will be followed by a two-day Tantric commentary and a three-day retreat.

To attend these teachings and retreat it is necessary to have first received the empowerments of Heruka and Vajrayogini.

Please see the Festival Website for more information.

Vajrapani Empowerment with Gen Kelsang Demo in Sarasota

Blessing Empowerment of Buddha Vajrapani
with Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Demo
Saturday, September 26th to Sunday, September 27th

Vajrapani is a manifestation of the spiritual power of all the Buddhas. He is a powerful ally who can help us gain the power to train our mind both in and out of meditation.

In this special weekend event we’ll have the opportunity to receive the special blessing empowerment of this Buddha and then train in the practice of Buddha Vajrapani in a half day retreat.

Cost
Empowerment $65
Empowerment & Retreat $85

Kadampa Meditation Center, 2016 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234. To pre-register please call (941) 373-1600 or email info@MeditationInSarasota.org

A More Balanced Life in Sarasota

Freedom from the Eight Worldly Concerns
with Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Demo
Sunday, October 25th, 9:30am-2:00pm

It’s easy to develop an exaggerated concern for the comforts of this life such as possessions, respect, pleasure, a good reputation and praise. This causes us to feel overexcited when we have them and dejected or discouraged when we lose them. In this course we will learn how we can develop a stable and balanced approach to these things.

Cost
$30

Kadampa Meditation Center Florida, 2016 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234 Please call (941) 373-1600 to pre-register, or email info@MeditationInSarasota.org