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

Merit, Positive Karma, Good Fortune: Who Wants Some?

Merit—or good fortune—is positive energy resulting from virtuous actions. We all need merit because we cannot fulfil our wishes without it! 

The Buddhist practice of the seven limbs—prostration, offering, requesting, purification, beseeching and dedicating—increases our merit and purifies the mind.

In this five-week series, we’ll explore this profound topic through discussion and meditation and give ourselves the heaping helping portion of good merit we long for.

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

Meditate in Community

When we meditate and look inward, we discover a natural feeling of warmth toward others. This is because the deeper we go within, the more interconnected we are. This indicates that our meditation practice isn't meant to be a solitary journey.

By meditating with others, we can experience the inspirational energy that arises from practicing in a group, deepen our understanding of the dharma through discussion, and cultivate a community based on deep and meaningful commonalities that will help us sustain our practice.

Each class will include two meditations, a dharma talk, and a facilitated discussion designed to deepen our understanding of the teachings and foster connection with others.

This month’s topic: It feels great to love others. But few people actually seem lovable! In this class, we’ll learn how to connect with others on a deeper level and expand our feeling of love to include all living beings.

Free for members / $12 non-members / Optional Discussion after class 8:15-8:45 pm!

Friday Night In

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

Spend time with us every Friday evening through the winter for an alternative getaway. Each night we will offer a simple short teaching and meditation. Afterwards, we can relax and hang out at the center with snacks. Everyone is welcome!

Please note that a $5 admission fee is now being charged to non-members.

Free for members / $5 non-members

Meditation Toolkit

Meditation gives rise to peace of mind, and when our minds are peaceful, we are happy. 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 you, step-by-step, become a wiser, more compassionate person. Discover the joy of meditation, and become a life-long meditator.

Free for members / $10 non-members

How to Improve Your Concentration

“From concentration comes peace.” —Nagarjuna

Training in meditative concentration means learning to be single-pointedly focused, free from distractions. This is different from just meditating because it has a quality of strength, stability and deep peace.

There are time-tested techniques for training in concentration. In this series, we will explore how to become more effective meditators. We will learn how to skillfully work with distractions, oppose lethargy and build confidence so we can make real progress.

Everyone is welcome!

Free for members / $15 non-members