Meditation - The Boulder Mandala Yoga Center
What is Meditation?
Meditation is training for the mind/heart that builds self-control, insight, and a connection to all of life. There are two basic forms of all meditations in all traditions and religions. There are concentration (samatha) techniques that calm and focus the mind, and there are insight (vipassana) techniques that give insight and understanding into the nature of physical and non-physical objects. Meditation will allow one to learn to let go moment to moment, develop spaciousness for thoughts and feelings, and to be less controlled by the stories we tell ourselves all day long. As one meditates, one will become less influenced by desires of greed and hatred, and in their place more beautiful mind/heart states will begin to take place; like contentment, generosity, love, patience, honesty, compassion, happiness and peace.
Meditation Traditions
At Boulder Mandala, many meditation traditions make up the Mandala of our understanding. We are influenced by Buddhist traditions, Vipassana, Dzogchen, Thai Forest, Burmese Theravaden, Zen, Tibetan, Hindu traditions, and Yoga traditions.
Meditation Classes
Thursday Mindfulness Meditation Group
Every Thursday, 7:30 PM - 9:15 PM
The Boulder community comes together at Mandala on Thursday nights to share mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness is the simple ability to know what is happening in the present moment. This Buddhist practice has tremendous benefits: it can decrease stress, improve one's relationships, and cultivate a deeply happy heart. Each class involves meditation, a dharma talk, and group discussion. The group leader, Peter Williams, has practiced meditation for 15 years in the Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. He is certified as a Community Dharma Leader by Jack Kornfield's Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Contact: peterbw@tds.net
Dana (Generosity)
All meditation classes and practice times are paid with Generosity (Dana)-Payments. Dana is a Pali word meaning generosity or sharing. It is a developed quality of the heart and mind. These teachings of meditation have all been handed down from teacher to student for thousands of years, all with generosity, by having the recipients give back for the teachings. Today we still keep this tradition alive. These teachings and practice space are here because others gave. The building or monastery existed only by community's support, and in turn the building gave its support of noble silence and community practice space. The community would support the local monastery with food, repairs, running costs, and everyday supplies. It is a sharing of your abundance in trade for a gift that we offered to you. So give back. Give what feels right in your own heart. What feels good? We want to encourage these qualities of Generosity, and that is why we choose to have no set price. Open your heart, let-go, and give!
