Category Archives: Classes

Mindful Creativity: Tibetan Singing Bowls

Learn about Tibetan singing bowls and how to ring them from Brian Sparks! He will offer an introduction to sounding the bowls on Sunday, September 21 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM.

The class will introduce information on several therapeutic uses, bowl types, considerations on buying a bowl and a therapeutic set of bowls, how to play the bowls, mallet types, and physiological impacts of bowl sounds on the body and brain as well as some hands on practice with the bowls. 

 Brian 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 Tibetan bowls in service of healing, compassion and awakening.

If anyone is interested in learning how to become part of this tradition, they can talk with Brian after the session to discuss the structure and content of what is required to become a proficient bell ringer.

August Mindful Creativity: Origami

Enjoy an afternoon of origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, on Saturday August 23 from 3:30-5 PM!

Repetitively folding paper can produce a calming, meditative state while also working on focus and concentration. And it’s fun! 

Our facilitator, Cam Palmer Warner, has been a folding fanatic since second grade and enjoys teaching others to fold. Cam will offer designs inspired by the Dharma such as lotus flowers and cranes (specific designs to be determined). 

You do not need prior experience to attend this workshop. Children and complete beginners welcome!

All materials supplied (but if you have paper you’d like to use, you’re welcome to bring it).

This event is in-person only.

Newcomer Orientation

Want to start a meditation practice? Or learn about the Bozeman Dharma Center? On Tuesday July 1 from 5 PM to 6 PM we will host our monthly orientation. Join us to learn about the Center, get your questions answered, and receive basic meditation instruction. No registration required. Free!

Mindful Flower Arranging

Join us for June’s Mindful Creativity class on mindful flower arranging on Sunday June 22, from 1 PM to 3 PM! The beauty and symbolism of flowers have long played an important role in Buddhist traditions. Erin Strickland will lead a guided sensory meditation using flowers and then participants will be free to create their own beautiful floral arrangements. Flowers will be provided by the BDC. Bring a vase (or use mason jars from the BDC) and take your arrangements home to enjoy. In person only. Register online.

The Path of Most Resilience: Buddhist Perspectives on Facing Adversity

A path is bright in spite of dark clouds

Bozeman Insight Community invites you to join an evening with guest speaker, nico hase. Online, Thursday June 19, 6:30-8 PM.

Adversity is an inevitable part of life: from illness to loss to the moral injury that comes from witnessing injustice. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. It keeps us engaged, calm, and energized as we continue to serve a world on fire.

In this evening gathering with nico hase, co-author of How Not to Be a Hot Mess: A Buddhist Survival Guide for Modern Life, we will explore teachings and practices that contribute to resilience. Nico will discuss how hyper-individualism contributes to fragility, and why community is so important for overcoming our obstacles. The session will also unpack how meditation can help us balance our hearts and minds so that we can connect with others, navigate the difficulties of shared spaces, and ultimately find resilience in the engaged sangha that our world so desperately needs.

Join us for an intimate evening of stories, reflections, and meditations about how Buddhist teachings and practices contribute to our resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

No registration necessary.

Intro to Meditation

On Saturday May 17 the BDC will host an Intro to Meditation class from 9 AM to 12:30 PM. This class will focus on what to do when you get stuck in your practice and ways to expand your “meditation toolkit.” Bring your questions and spend the morning learning and exploring how to bring curiosity and compassion to your practice.

This class will be offered in person and via Zoom.

Newcomer Orientation

Are you interested in starting a meditation practice or building a community around your practice? The Bozeman Dharma Center hosts a newcomer orientation on the first Tuesday of each month. Join us in February on the 4th from 5- 6 pm to find out more about the Center, get your questions answered, and receive basic meditation instruction. No registration required!

Intro to Meditation

  Are you interested in starting a meditation practice? Join us on Saturday January 25, 9 AM – 12:30 PM to learn several different styles of meditation and find one that works for you.

Buddha overlaid with learn practice connect text

We will cover how to start a meditation practice at home, posture, breath practice, walking meditation, body scan guided meditation, working with a question, mindfulness, Metta practice, and Tonglen.

Mindful Creativity: Practice Word of the Year

Join us on Sunday January 19 from 12:30 PM – 4 PM for an art and journaling workshop (Back by popular demand–it’s the same one as the New Year’s Workshop). We will focus on naming and expressing our practice intention for the new year.  We will use collage, markers, paint, and stencils to manifest our intuition and values on a 12” x 12” substrate.

Image of a collage art piece

Supplies will be provided. You do not need to know how to draw or paint to participate! Space is limited so please pre-register.