Weekly Meditation classes in Santa Barbara take place on Sundays at 10:30am and Wednesdays at 6:30pm. There are also Lunchtime Meditations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:00pm. All of these classes provide a basic introduction to Buddhist view, meditation, and practice, suitable for beginners yet still engaging for those with more experience. Everyone is welcome, and although the classes are taught as a series, you can drop in at any time; no pre-registration is necessary. Please see the Monthly Calendar to confirm class dates and times. Thank you for your interest. We hope to see you soon.
Classes are taught by qualified Western teachers, and are easy to understand and apply to our daily lives. The classes emphasize how to meditate and practice while leading a busy modern life. The union of Buddha’s teachings with day-to-day life is the essence of Kadampa Buddhism.
We offer a wide range of classes: basic introductions to Buddhist meditation, special classes focusing on issues such as anger or improving relationships, and comprehensive and in-depth study programs that reveal the entire Buddhist path to lasting happiness. We currently offer classes in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc. Everyone is welcome to attend classes and to visit the Center–spend time in our inspiring meditation room, browse in our bookstore, or speak with other practitioners from the community.
Happiness from a Different Source
“When our mind is peaceful, we are free from worries and mental discomfort, and we experience true happiness. If we train our mind to become peaceful we will be happy all the time, even in the most adverse conditions. But if our mind is not peaceful, then even if we have the most pleasant external conditions we will not be happy. Therefore, it is important to train our mind through meditation.”
-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, The New Meditation Handbook
Please read on if you are new and would like more information about what to expect at a class.