This three week dive into the heart of Buddhism begins February 15 and will offer central teachings of our 2500 year old tradition. Great for those new to meditation and Buddhist practice. Seasoned practitioners are warmly encouraged as well. Prior registration is required. In-person attendance limited to 30 participants, online Zoom participation is unlimited. Register here.
Category Archives: Non-denominational
Commitment to Transparency
We are grateful to the Bozeman Dharma Center community for participating in our Maha-sangha/Community meetings in November 2022. Between the conversations and the worksheets, the Board of Directors gathered great information about our community feels we are doing and where you see the BDC going. Using this information we created a three year vision for the BDC and first steps to take in 2023 to get us there.
As part of our commitment to transparency, these goals for the BDC are on the website. Click here to view!
Did you know?
You can volunteer to help out at the BDC! Volunteers donated over 1800 hours of their time in 2022– the equivalent of $49,000! Being in our own space and ramping up programs means we need volunteers more than ever. If you are interested in bell ringing, helping keep the center tidy, providing and arranging flowers and many other tasks, please contact Karen at karen@bozemandharmacenter.org.
Beginner’s Mind Zen Retreat
On Feb 3-5, join visiting Zen priest, Michael Mugaku Zimmerman and the Bozeman Zen Group for an open-to-all Friday night talk followed by a weekend retreat. Practice the Zen aspiration to continually approach all of life, people and situations with “beginner’s mind”– that is, with curiosity, openness, and receptivity to whatever may emerge, free of expectations or prejudgment. Limited space, pre-registration requested.
Women’s Wintering Retreat
On Saturday, January 21, enjoy the warmth of shared practice, while savoring the stillness and quiet of the season. Led by Suzanne Colón & Karen DeCotis, this day includes poetry, meditation, female companionship and mutual support for our collective journey through winter.
Schedule Changes
MindSpace, our under 40 meditation group, will begin meeting on Tuesdays at 7PM on January 10th. Tergar Bozeman starts meeting this Wednesday, January 11 at 5:30 PM. The Bozeman Zen Group will host a drop-in sit from 5:30-6:15 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays beginning January 9th. We are thankful for so many opportunities to practice!
Intro to Meditation
Learn practices from the Insight, Zen and Tibetan traditions during this class series (Jan 18, Jan 25, and Feb 1). 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. In the Buddhist tradition there are several meditation styles that can aid us in developing the qualities of peacefulness and wisdom. Join us for any or all of this series, if you would like to begin a meditation practice or renew the one you already have.
Open House
If you haven’t seen our new space, here’s your chance! We will have an open house on Friday, January 13 from 5:30-6:30 PM. Bring your questions. Meet staff, volunteers, and group leaders and other like minded-people. There’s a rumor that snacks will be available.
Resolutions, Intentions & New Beginnings
On Saturday, January 7, join Insight Meditation and Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, Suzanne Colón, for an exploration of a perennial paradox: Can we appreciate ourselves just as we are, while also wishing for some changes in behavior? This workshop will include guided meditations, journal exercises and teachings from Buddhist-based resilience practices as well as perspectives on the Inner Critic from the Mindful Self-Compassion Course. All are welcome, no prior meditation experience necessary. Please bring a journal. Prior registration is required. In-person attendance is limited to 35 participants, online Zoom participation is unlimited. Register here.
Book Study Opportunities
Bozeman Zen Group (Sundays, 8 AM), Joining Rivers Sangha (Mondays 7-8:30 PM) and MindSpace (Wednesdays, 6:30-745 PM) are all studying amazing books right now! Bozeman Zen Group is studying Norman Fischer’s Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong on Sundays, 8-9:15 AM via Zoom. Joining Rivers is studying Creating True Peace: Ending Violence in Yourself, Your Family, Your Community, and the World by Thich Nhat Hahn and MindSpace is studying Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book Wherever You Go, There You Are. You do not need to attend all of the sessions or own the books to gain great insight from these meetings. All welcome!