Dependent Origination

5 Thursdays,
April 4-May 2
7-8:30 PM

In Person & via Zoom

Designed for meditators with some experience, this class, taught by Suzanne Colón, will begin with the teachings on the Five Aggregates and build up to an understanding of the chain of Dependent Origination – the Buddha’s map for what’s going on in human experience, how we get caught and why we suffer. The series is designed to be sequential but anyone is welcome to attend sporadically or singly as their schedule and interests allow. No registration necessary.

• April 4: The Five Aggregates and the Importance of Vedana (feeling tone)
• April 11: Perception, Mis-perception, Mental Formations and the mind’s reactivity
• April 18: Further links in the chain: how we get hooked and how we can unhook
• April 25: The Chain of Dependent Origination and how it illustrates the Four Noble Truths
• May 2: The Liberative chain spiraling toward wisdom, insight, compassion and freedom

SoundGate

Tibetan Bowls with Brian Sparks

Friday,
April 19
7 – 8 PM
In Person

Brian has received his spiritual teaching from several masters in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. His teachers blessed his bowl work by giving him the specific “Prayer of Aspiration” and granted him many Buddhist empowerments. He has toured with notable Tibetan musicians, actors, and at the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Arlee.

He offers his practice of playing bowls in service of healing, compassion and awakening.

Koan Salon

Saturday,
April 20
9 AM – 1 PM
In Person & via Zoom

Everyone is welcome to join this Koan Salon hosted by the Bozeman Zen Group and led by Michael Smith and Karen DeCotis.

Koan is a Japanese term that refers to a legal public case. In Zen, koans are designed to give us pause, to enter deeply our own case.  We will spend the morning sitting several short periods of zazen, each with a phrase, a story, a poem. There will be walking meditation, and time after each “koan” to consider together. All are welcome, no previous experience with koans is necessary.

Community Meeting!

Sunday,
April 21
4 – 5:30 PM
AND
Monday,
April 22
7-8:30 PM

In Person & via Zoom

Here’s your chance to learn more about how the BDC operates, what the staff does, where the money goes, and give input for our future direction! This meeting is so important that we hold it twice! Both meetings will have the same content.

Intro to Meditation

with Karen DeCotis

3 Wednesdays,
April 24 – May 8
7:15 – 8:45 PM
In Person & via Zoom

In the Buddhist tradition there are several meditation styles that can aid us in developing the qualities of peacefulness and wisdom. This series will teach meditation styles from the Insight, Zen and Tibetan traditions. Meditation can help to calm the mind, open the heart, and awaken wisdom. It is a means to study ourselves by contacting our inner life. When we know ourselves well, we are better able to relate to others in the world with integrity and confidence. Join us for any or all of this series.

The Therigatha

Weekend Retreat with Kathie Fischer

May 3-5

In Person & via Zoom

Kathie Fischer returns to Bozeman with this weekend retreat on the Therigatha– Teachings of the First Buddhist Women.

We will consider the lives and teachings of early Elder Buddhist nuns through their stories, poems, and histories. These poignant tales of courage, tragedy and commitment can inspire us in our lives even 2500 years later.

With a mixture of zazen, stories, poems and dialogue we will enjoy the weekend with Kathie, our good friend and teacher.

Anushka Fernandopulle

May 14-22

In Person & via Zoom

We’re thrilled to host Anushka, a guiding teacher at Spirit Rock and IMS, who’s featured on many apps and mindfulness pods. Anushka is offering many opportunities for practice:

• Guest at MindSpace on Tuesday, May 14
• Two Wings of the Dharma: Classes on Wednesdays, May 15 & 22
• Guest at Bozeman Insight, Thursday May 16
• Mindfulness for LGBTQI+ Community, Friday, May 17
• Mindfulness in Nature: Daylong retreat on Saturday, May 18